What to do

[WAD357]

Well as some of you may have seen Im parting the XJ and starting fresh... I'm picking up a 79 f250 HP driver drop d44 and rear 60 for $100 and a couple hours work with a buddy of mine.. My goal is to run 37s lock F&R I should probably sell off that 44 and find a 60 right? any input is appreciated

[Ruepart Hoaxley]

Corey's running 37's with d60/14b. At 37, I'd think a 44 would be okay, but if you want to destroy things with it, I'd probably bite the bullet and do duel 60's or a similar setup.

[customcreationsllc]

All about how hard your are going to drive it.
I snapped 2 stock D60 outer shafts on 35"
This early in the build I would go straight for 60 not all that much more when your done and you can get away for a while on stock shafts and upgrade when needed.

You can upgrade both a D44 and a D60 however a D60 stock is about the same strength as the D44 built. That is D44 RCV joint compared to stock D60.
Just look at the two axle joint side by side no comparison.

Can you cut down axles? Full width is pretty wide is that what you are looking for?

Do you already have tires? D60 you will need 16" min rims or spend a lot of $$ to get 15" rims to fit.

Is the rear even a 35 spline? Is a full floater?

Plus the 79 D44 has cast tubes which you will want to replace.

I've been toying with the idea of a light strong front axle. Basically everyone just says don't bother just go with a 60.
But I like the challenge I'm planning at this point to go with a HP44 with 1 ton unit bearing outers. Unit bearings need a lot of machining to bolt up to standard rims. They are all metric 8 lug pattern.
No promises it will hold up but but I'm hoping it will be close to 200lbs lighter than a stock kingpin 60 when I'm done.

The most proven junkyard axle combo is the 14bolt rear with HP Kingpin 60 front plus the cheapest to find parts for.

Do you want High steer? High steer 44 is expensive you need new knuckles Kingpin 60 just buy arms.

Also look at down the road if you ever want to sell it 60 worth more than a 44

hope this helps.
~Justin

[WAD357]

Thanks justin those were all pretty much the thoughts Im having and I dont see it worth it to go with a 44... Go big or go home lol I plan to push this thing pretty hard so im going to go with a 60.. I will be doing this on a budget over the winter so I will probably just be buying some used tires and wheels to run for now and down the road step it up to something new... Im pretty sure the front links will cost the most.. I plan to go with a 3 link setup

[Ktmracer419]

you can make a 44 survive on 37's. but it wont be as fun as not having to worry about a 60 surviving.

[WAD357]

found out the rear 60 is a FF but not sure on spline count its from a 79 f-250 highboy

[clean4drxj]

the front 60 will be hard to find, and most 78/79 ford kingpin 60's are $$

[Ktmracer419]

found out the rear 60 is a FF but not sure on spline count its from a 79 f-250 highboy

30 spline

same size shafts as a 44

or super35 for that matter

[WAD357]

30 spline

same size shafts as a 44

or super35 for that matter

Really? so is it worth running? probably have to upgrade that for suree.... hmmm