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View Full Version : Best axle for 300,000 miles of wheelin!

ryurabbit
June 14th, 2003, 09:23
What axle would you use if you wanted to wheel 300,000 miles without changing the axle. I know gears and bearings might wear out but just want the axle to last. I'm leaning towards front and rear 44's but considering front and rear 9". TIA:bunny:
dmillion
June 14th, 2003, 11:23
Assuming you're sticking with the lift and tires you have now, I'd go with the Ford 8.8". If you go to bigger tires, maybe swap in a V8, then the answer has to change.
woody
June 14th, 2003, 11:52
Loaded question... depends on your wheelin style, future tire size, budget & tolerance for disaster etc...

I have a low mile 44 under my XJ (20k on stock MJ housing/shafts/drum brakes, full spool, Spicer 4.56 gears) that I trust with 33" and I expect it to hang in there with 35-36" if I go there...I got spare shafts LOL

From scratch, I can see the wisdom of building a (shaved) HP60 or 9" Rear with disc brakes... and matching it up with a 44/9/60 front axle.

I have had good luck (that's all it is) wheeling D30s with 33" but ya know you have to be halfway easy with it and still plan for it's eventual failures. MattS built a sick 30, but he is also unafraid to fab & beef on his junk. The 5 on 4.5 BP thing is another consideration that makes doing a F&R swap at the same time inviting.
mbryson
June 14th, 2003, 12:33
14 bolt..........almost guaranteed to last that long.
JohnBuuu
June 14th, 2003, 13:11
Originally posted by mbryson
14 bolt..........almost guaranteed to last that long.
amen.
Goatman
June 14th, 2003, 13:31
Man, do you know how long it would take you to wheel and drive for 300,000 miles? :)

Any of the axles you choose other than the D35 should run the 300,000 miles without even a bearing or gear change if the fluid is always full and good. It really depends more on what tires you'll run. If you will end up with 35's or bigger and want it to be guarenteed to last, the D60 is the only choice. The 9" is a good option, but the axles aren't as stout as the D60.
mattk
June 15th, 2003, 09:17
I said 9" in the poll given the options, but the ultimate killer axle short of a 2 1/2 ton (which is just too damn big) would be a custom built Dynatrac 60 high pinion.
mattk
norcalxj
June 15th, 2003, 12:50
Originally posted by mbryson
14 bolt..........almost guaranteed to last that long.

i second that!
ryurabbit
June 16th, 2003, 17:51
I think i'll be ordering the D60 will look kinda funny with the d30 upfront but have to to this in stages. (just too much for one paycheck)!:bunny:
Rawbrown
June 2nd, 2005, 09:02
definatly not an 8.8. the driverside carrier bearings go bad on a regular basis.
I would build a big spline 44. they last a long time. I just htink a 60 is to damn heavy...
mbryson
June 2nd, 2005, 09:07
Holy 2 year old thread, Batman!
Rawbrown
June 2nd, 2005, 09:11
I didn't even look at the date... why the heck is it comming up at the top of my forum? WTF?
Dirk Pitt
June 2nd, 2005, 09:13
I didn't even look at the date... why the heck is it comming up at the top of my forum? WTF?

Kejtar did it.

:)
sintax
June 2nd, 2005, 09:14
hah no kidding
sintax
June 2nd, 2005, 09:14
I didn't even look at the date... why the heck is it comming up at the top of my forum? WTF?

I think the threads pop up to the top when someone votes in the poll. I could be wrong though. Anyone know how this Vbulletin handles that kinda thing?
Kejtar
June 2nd, 2005, 09:29
Kejtar did it.

:)
LOL.. nope I didn't do it. I do have a feeling though that it does have something to do with that thread I posted in the membership forum.
Rawbrown
June 2nd, 2005, 11:01
who the hell voted then??? thats a way to screw things up.
ok this thread is done.
jth877
June 2nd, 2005, 19:38
Man, do you know how long it would take you to wheel and drive for 300,000 miles? :)

Any of the axles you choose other than the D35 should run the 300,000 miles without even a bearing or gear change if the fluid is always full and good. It really depends more on what tires you'll run. If you will end up with 35's or bigger and want it to be guarenteed to last, the D60 is the only choice. The 9" is a good option, but the axles aren't as stout as the D60.


Just sold an 87XJ w/ D35- over 300k on stock axle for $150. They can last.
Kejtar
June 2nd, 2005, 23:02
Just sold an 87XJ w/ D35- over 300k on stock axle for $150. They can last.
Ummm how much wheeling did you do on the 35? Probably not much.
jth877
June 3rd, 2005, 07:02
Beat the living shit out of it. The three people that owed it before me did too. I can't say why it lasted, only that it did. The pukegoat tranny works great too. That is even more of a mystery.
xuv-this
June 3rd, 2005, 14:34
yeah, stock d35c's are great for wheelin'!!! just weld the sucker and fill it with 1540!!! you all should upgrade to a low pinion d30 up front, too!!! :D :D :D serously though, i didn't vote because that is a complicated decision, and it all depends on what else you are running. and what exactly is done to the axle.
sintax
June 3rd, 2005, 14:57
i didn't vote because that is a complicated decision, and it all depends on what else you are running.

Funny....I did'nt vote because this is a 2 YEAR OLD THREAD.

Why is this heard RM DELTREE MOVE whatever it takes to get this thing outta here =P hasta
JeepFreak21
June 3rd, 2005, 17:34
http://www.slicky.net/smilies/lockd.gif Billy