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Cost to build Dana 44

Jump This

Jump This

Just another minion!
Location
Borrego Springs Ca.
Okay, got the housing....now to spend the money;
Axels....gotta' cost $400 plus for some big splined (33?) alloy axels. Right?
Locker.....Detroit.....$550~$600.
R/P...what? $250 with install and rebuild parts....
Labor....$300?
Are we honestly paying $1500 plus to run a good 44?
Is it worth it? (I like running in the rocks and will probably be going to 35's)
Maybe I should stop my pathetic complaining....and write the check...
Rick R:sunshine:
And then I need to build the 30.....or get another 44
 
Jump This said:
Okay, got the housing....now to spend the money;
Axels....gotta' cost $400 plus for some big splined (33?) alloy axels. Right?
Locker.....Detroit.....$550~$600.
R/P...what? $250 with install and rebuild parts....
Labor....$300?
Are we honestly paying $1500 plus to run a good 44?
Is it worth it? (I like running in the rocks and will probably be going to 35's)
Maybe I should stop my pathetic complaining....and write the check...
Rick R:sunshine:
And then I need to build the 30.....or get another 44
Click to expand...

shop around on the axles - 400 seems to be the high end...

If you can, buy it all from one vendor - then if you have ANY issues at all - all the parts are "their problem" - if your gear installer sells parts - id buy the parts from them - even if its like $50-100 more - because if there are any problems - it is "their problem"
 
Detroits are not cheap...if I'm going to build it....I'm hoping to build it as well as I can. Quality costs.....thats just the way it is. I'm not saying there are not other cheaper ways of doing it, I know there is...but to build it with the Detroit, and axels...
Maybe Ryan (the guy who will probably be building it) will hook me up for less money???? Won't you Ryan? :D
Rick R:sunshine:
 
That $150 was a great deal on labor!
We've got a small town company that does the labor for $250.00 out this way,
that too is a deal.
Pricey little project those 44's, makes yea look at the 8.8's.
 
I'm gonna be running a waggy 44 front, and I have zero fab skills so everything will cost labor...but I figure once It's done...

Waggy front axle already set-up to go under XJ with warn locking hubs - $150
Have the 44 trussed - $100 for labor and raw materials
used 5.38 gears, master Install kit, and Install of gears -$350
new 3.92+ carrier and used detroit - $250

thats only $850 for everything, granite I'll pry drop another 2-300$ on 1 ton steering and a beastly ass dif cover...so Im thinking about $1100 total, maybe a bit cheaper....
 
OH GREAT!!! How much will that cost me!!??!!
I figure I build a 44 for $1500...then next year I sell it for $700 and then build up the killer 60 for $2500. That and what I got into my 8.25 and....(you can see why I'm held in high regard in the business world!) I will spend $4000 plus the cost of the new tires each year....shit!! Maybe I'll just cut the bugger up and.......nah....already been done.
Rick R:sunshine:
wait....PLUS the cost of a front 44 too!
then steering.....maybe some cage work....
stroker.......
all in all...its still cheaper than any dune buggie I have built!
 
XJ99 said:
I'm gonna be running a waggy 44 front, and I have zero fab skills so everything will cost labor...but I figure once It's done...

Waggy front axle already set-up to go under XJ with warn locking hubs - $150
Have the 44 trussed - $100 for labor and raw materials
used 5.38 gears, master Install kit, and Install of gears -$350
new 3.92+ carrier and used detroit - $250

thats only $850 for everything, granite I'll pry drop another 2-300$ on 1 ton steering and a beastly ass dif cover...so Im thinking about $1100 total, maybe a bit cheaper....
Click to expand...

good luck getting a front axle that is setupfor an XJ for 150...
 
didnt you tear it up at jv?
 
touche
 
my D44 was a reasonable budget..

$225 initial purchase
$315 Spicer gears, spool, install kit, seals and shaft bearings
$175 install
$350 al new brake system (drums were $80 each!!!)
(chose not to go with a disc swap because of the time-line i'm working with so spare me the editorial about how much better discs would be please)

so thats close to $1100..

damn the reality of that has a bit of a "sting" to it...
 
I'm building one now...waggy D-44 front (with matching rear soon)

Axle cost $150
RE bracket kit $too much (400)
Labor for brackets welded $$?? Not 100% sure yet
gears+install $400
new hubs/rotors (stockers were shot) $180
New wheel bearings ~$80
New u-joints ~$50
calipers/pads/hoses $$??

So...for probably around $1400 once all is said and done I'll have a bolt in front D-44. Going to run 33's and 4.88's for now...and IF I feel the need for more I'll step up to 35's.
 
David Taylor said:
He did say basically
Click to expand...
I didn't damage it at JV, just bent the lip back on the cover...and only mild leaking. But how the hell would I get outta' there with a broken rear axel?
R and R works for me...and thats not so easy with an 8.25.
Rick R:sunshine:
 
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