Jeep "J-20" 3/4ton Dana 44 in a YJ
Narrowed 2", changed caster & installed a Detroit Locker with 4.56 gears
                       above: before picture                                         
below & right, all the way to bottow of page: are progress pictures
the 2 knuckles with ball-joints are
the originals, the 2 with
"Flat Tops"
came off a  75 chevy dana 44.
these are needed for my "Hi-Steer"
conversion, because the
factory tierods contact my
military "Hummer" wheels.
rotating the knuckle to change caster, this added@ 10
degrees, yellow mark shows before and after rotation...
right: this pic
shows how much
i rotated the
knuckles, i
really want to
try and keep
the driveshaft
off the Rocks.....


below: are
three pictures
of the welding
i always run a Tap, (1 1/8") to clear
the knuckle threads up, and then
torque ball joints nuts and sleeve
to ensure they have the proper
pre-load.i think this is more important
when running larger tires. 
new "Moog"
greasable ball-
joints installed
axle surfers
back to 3/4tonYJ main-page
back to
Manchester Axle & Gear
i'm using Spicer 297X non-greasable U-joints
(i believe these to be the strongest)
above:     
ball-joints and
knuckles are on
and
painted.
right:     

pictured with
new steering
arm installed
and
2" piece of
tube that was
removed.
this page and actual axle are still under construction
       So whats the damage?
$150   complete Dana 44 assy.                              $150
         cleaning, overhaul & gear setup                    (6 hrs.)
$470   Detroit Locker                                        
$200
$ 75    used 4.56 gears                                   
------
$100   bearing/seal installation kit                          
$80
$ 25    spindle bearing kit (pair)                          
------
$120   4 Ball Joints                                           
$90
$ 40    2 Spicer 297X U-Joints                             
$25
$ 45    2 Brake Calipers & shoes                            
$45
         turn rotors                                          
(30 min)
$65    cut & re-splined axle shaft 
(Moser Eng.)           $65
         narrow housing/rotate knuckles/welding           
(4 hrs.)
         machining casting & welding spring perch          
(2 hrs.)
$ 12   Inner axle seals                                         $8
$ 10   2 custom shock mounts                             
------
      
  cleaned/greased wheel bearings & hubs            (30 min)


          
Steering stuff:
  $ 75  pair "Flat Top" steering knuckles (used)          
------
          drilling and tapping right knuckle                  
(1 hr.)
  $ 25  3 studs/conical washers/nuts                      
------
          custom steering arm                                
------
          tierod with new 2 new ends
          drag link with 2 new ends
          steering stabilizer/mounting hardware

$1100  Parts only (no steering)
$560    & Labor (@14  Hrs. x $40)
$1660   Total
right:    
the old calipers
and pads needed
replaced, i still
can't under stand
how calipers cost
less the pads.
right: are the inner axle seals
(they don't come with Ring &
Pinion Installation Kits)
above:"Detroit Locker"

left: Motive Gear Kit
Installation Kit
Vintage 1965, 4.56  gears (i already owned
them and have a good coarse splined yoke)
2 lefts pictures:
are before and
after i ground
the casting alot.
above: with locker
installed and tie-rod
on
(built before)
above: the inside of the a 16" x 7" wheel that I added about 3/4" more backspacing,
above right:  the  hub/rotor/caliper assembly, shows alittle grinding of the caliper for
clearance.
(this was all done to meet PA state laws,"tire tread must be under fender flares")
clean empty housing, the best
start to long life, bearings will
die if they get dirty,dry or hot.

below: shows drive side pattern
below: shaft cut & re-splined by
  
"Moser Engineering"
below: temp. build-up w/springs, ready to for installation
home-made shock mounts
2 below and above left: are intial installation in YJ, with "custom steering", still need to install stabilizer after articulation testing.
also  removed sway bar because of contact with new pitman arm, now thinking about RS9000 shocks to help with street manners.