In 4WD, my front axle is real noisy (I don't run it in 4WD, just testing things out). I haven't opened it up yet, but I'm guessing pinion bearings from what I've read.
This is the stock Dana 44 closed knuckle, drum brake axle. Started reading about swapping a different front axle in and saw the posts about an early 80's Dodge D44. I found an '87 Ramcharger D44 on craigslist pretty local to me. It's a CAD axle so I understand I would have to do the CAD delete and put locking hubs on it. The axle has been sitting out for about 15 years, so the whole thing needs to be gone over, new parts, etc. I also understand I would have to weld new spring perches on. He wants $100 for it.
My biggest concern is re-gearing it to match the 4.09 I have now. I've never done this before, but reading about it, I think I could handle it. I saw some discussions about swapping the whole carrier assy from one axle to another, assuming the splines match. Couldn't I put a new ring and pinion into the Dodge axle as another option? Anyone have any suggestions?
The other option is to replace the pinion bearings and whatever else is needed in the axle I have now. But then I still have a closed knuckle, drum brake axle.
Just looking for some information from someone who has done axle work. Trying to estimate costs of the different options too.