Waggy D44 front Tube dia????

[53guy]

Is a waggy a 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton Dana 44? I've been finding conflicting info all night saying that dana 44's had 3" tubes, had 2 3/4" tubes, 2" tubes and now I'm so freakin confused I'm not sure what axle I have anymore!!! I'd go and look, but the axle isn't anywhere near me right now, but it came out of a 1991 SJ (grand waggy) so I know it's a dana 44. Does anyone know what tube diameter the waggys had around that year? I'm looking for the tube width, front of the tube to the rear of the tube. I'm looking at this at the moment....

http://www.cj7jeep.com/info/axle/images/tube_thickness.gif

[5-90]

While I can't answer your question, perhaps I can clarify it. What you seem to be looking for is the OUTSIDE diameter of the tube, yes?

Tubing is typically measured in one of two ways:

OD x ID - outside diameter x inside diameter. Half of the difference between the two is the wall thickness.

OD x WALL - outside diameter X wall thickness. The OD less twice the thickness of the wall is the inside diameter.

Generally speaking, tubing with thicker walls will be more resistant to bending and deformation - to a point. So, you could use, say, 3.000"x.125" tube, but if you have room for it, why not use 3.000"x.250"? It's not quite twice as strong... Granted, nothing is really that simple - you have to make sure you can still fit seals and what-have-you, but if you're going to all the work, you may as well do it right.

I haven't finished compiling Dana BoM numbers and kits yet...

5-90

[53guy]

While I haven't really thought of re-tubing my axle, that is a decent idea. I AM looking for the outside diameter of a stock SJ 44 tube as I'm having trouble finding the correct sized brackets for control arms. The ones I have found are just what I'm looking for, however they are for a 3" axle tube and bigger outside diameter. I think that I have the 3" tube, but the more I dig, the more mis info I'm coming up with on SJ dana 44's. I even read somewhere that all FSJ's had 2" axle tubes. Like I said, I'm just confused at the moment.

[XJ_ranger]

3" is what it should be...

and i think .375 wall tube...

most all the d44's are 3" OD tube because that is what fits inside a d44 inner knuckle...

the oddball is the CJ D30 - with d44 Style knuckles, and a thru hole for a 2.75" tube...

[53guy]

here's what really got me confused.......did Crash misquote or what?



Let’s begin with the Waggy’s. These axles are low pinion, i.e . have a standard cut gearset that enters the pumpkin below the centerline. They are 61.5” wide from the factory, have lock-out hubs, 12” disk brakes, and a 6 on 5.5” bolt pattern. The tubes are 2.75” x .375” wall, and they are set-up for leaf springs in a spring-under-axle configuration. These axles are popular swaps into late model jeeps because there is no need to narrow them, and they are easily changed to 5 on 5.5” pattern or left as six lug and paired with the OEM rear Waggy Dana 44.
CRASH

Everything other than the lock out hubs part seemed about right, but I don't know.....I know mine didn't have manual hubs.

[MJ_Chubs]

I THINK Ford 1/2-ton D44s are 2.75" OD. I don't know the wall thickness, though.

[53guy]

Hmm, yet another bit of info...dude, I really don't think this axle thing will ever be resolved. =)