Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport Dana 44 in 1983 J10

[Trex20165]

Installed a new Dana 44 with Disc Brakes in my 83 J10. Replaced the AMC20 with a Dana 44 from a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo.
Install was fairly easy however, I did need to add 2" lift blocks so the calipers would clear the rear springs.
Also added 1 1/2" wheel spacers as the new rear was slightly narrower.
Newer axle has a 29 spline yoke and I had to build new brake lines to go from metric at the calipers to standard at the center.
Still need to get some brake cables built but I am very happy with the results.

[FSJ Guy]

Nice! Is that finned cover factory Isuzu?

[pcoplin]

Nice! That's a solid axle, unlike the ZJ D44. What's the WMS measurement?

[Gumby]

That is sweet I have seen a few here in the yards but lackng certain assurances I did not jump on it. Did you retain the stock gearing and the E-locker? And would this be a direct bolt in on a narrow track?

[Trex20165]

Yes, the finned cover is stock for the Isuzu axle.

The AMC20 WMS width was 64 1/2" and the replacement Dana44 is 63"

I searched and found an axle with limited slip and 4.10 gears (they have 4.10 or 4.30 gears)
Same bolt pattern as the AMC20: 6 on 5.5

The J10 is a wide track so may be too wide for a GW.

[FSJ Guy]

Yes, the finned cover is stock for the Isuzu axle.

Thanks! Now I know what to look for in the junk yards!

[csuengr]

I had the idea of putting one under my WT Cherokee. I found one problem. GAWR for my AMC 20 was 3200 lbs. The GAWR or the Isuzu D44 was 2400 or 2600 lbs.

[Stuka]

Cool way to get disk brakes.

One question I have is I have never heard of a Rodeo/Passport axle being that wide (always seen 58-59, which is why some people swap them into NT Wagoneers). The M23 on my J10 is 66.5" wide (According to my measurements). Where did you measure from?

[Stuka]

I had the idea of putting one under my WT Cherokee. I found one problem. GAWR for my AMC 20 was 3200 lbs. The GAWR or the Isuzu D44 was 2400 or 2600 lbs.

The Isuzu uses smaller bearings as I recall. Which is probably why there is a difference. That or the way its measured is different.

[pcoplin]

Stuka, if I remember right, the 95s had a pretty small width, like 58 inch, 96-97 had around 60, and 98+ had the wider 63 inch.

[Stuka]

Stuka, if I remember right, the 95s had a pretty small width, like 58 inch, 96-97 had around 60, and 98+ had the wider 63 inch.

Ahh ok, that explains the difference.

[Trex20165]

According to the specs section of Cars.com, the 2000 Rodeo has a 2,900 lbs. rear (GAWR).
The axle tubes are larger (just over 3") than the AMC20, the wheel studs are slightly larger (metric) and longer, and it has a 29 spline yoke. The replacement yoke I had to order was a 29-spline for a Dana 60 (larger seal surface).
So it may be rated lighter but it certainly looks and seems heavier duty. Guess I will find out when I get to Uwharrie in June.

[Stuka]

According to the specs section of Cars.com, the 2000 Rodeo has a 2,900 lbs. rear (GAWR).
The axle tubes are larger (just over 3") than the AMC20, the wheel studs are slightly larger (metric) and longer, and it has a 29 spline yoke. The replacement yoke I had to order was a 29-spline for a Dana 60 (larger seal surface).
So it may be rated lighter but it certainly looks and seems heavier duty. Guess I will find out when I get to Uwharrie in June.

That makes it sound similar to the new-gen rear D44 used in JK's. 8.9" ring gear, MUCH larger pinion (D60 sized), thicker tubes, and bigger bearings. Webbing looks similar too now that I look closer.

[The PIG Smith]

Excellent work and thanks for sharing!

How many of these vintage Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport are there in the salvage yards?
Meaning, is there a good supply of these axles?
...or do I need to go now and get one for the is a limited supply?

[Trex20165]

There are lots of them around. I live in northern VA, near DC and found plenty of them. One of the larger yards I looked up had 20 of them. Prices ranged from $150 to $500. I bought this on from a yard near Richmond, VA for $170.

[The PIG Smith]

Thank you Mr. Trex.

How does one determine what ratio (you mentioned 4:10 or 4:30) and if the axle has a LSD?
I think there is a Isuzu Rodeo in my local salvage yard, but I need to check it out to see what year and the axle is stuffed with.

Where did you get the spring perches and shocked that you installed on the replacement axle?
Have you hooked the emergency brake yet?
Could the metric lugs be replaced with SAE studs to match the front axle?

[The PIG Smith]

According to the specs section of Cars.com, the 2000 Rodeo has a 2,900 lbs. rear (GAWR).
The axle tubes are larger (just over 3") than the AMC20, the wheel studs are slightly larger (metric) and longer, and it has a 29 spline yoke. The replacement yoke I had to order was a 29-spline for a Dana 60 (larger seal surface).
So it may be rated lighter but it certainly looks and seems heavier duty. Guess I will find out when I get to Uwharrie in June.

That makes it sound similar to the new-gen rear D44 used in JK's. 8.9" ring gear, MUCH larger pinion (D60 sized), thicker tubes, and bigger bearings. Webbing looks similar too now that I look closer.

So, are you folks saying this a stronger, better axle than the stock M23?

[Stuka]

According to the specs section of Cars.com, the 2000 Rodeo has a 2,900 lbs. rear (GAWR).
The axle tubes are larger (just over 3") than the AMC20, the wheel studs are slightly larger (metric) and longer, and it has a 29 spline yoke. The replacement yoke I had to order was a 29-spline for a Dana 60 (larger seal surface).
So it may be rated lighter but it certainly looks and seems heavier duty. Guess I will find out when I get to Uwharrie in June.

That makes it sound similar to the new-gen rear D44 used in JK's. 8.9" ring gear, MUCH larger pinion (D60 sized), thicker tubes, and bigger bearings. Webbing looks similar too now that I look closer.

So, are you folks saying this a stronger, better axle than the stock M23?

A JK rear D44 (Don't bother with the front, very weak tubes, although a ProRock housing fixes that) is much stronger than an FSJ D44 or M23. The Rubi JK rear D44 even has larger 32 spline shafts. The R&P are quite a bit larger (Especially the pinion). They also have larger bearings, both inner and outer.

The Isuzu axle above looks to have some of the same traits. The better webbed housing, thicker tubes, higher splined pinion. But not sure if the actual R&P are better.

[jamesdart]

does it use the same carrier as an earlier 44? id like to one day replace my offset qt 44

[Stuka]

does it use the same carrier as an earlier 44? id like to one day replace my offset qt 44

The JK's don't as far as I know. I know the bolt diameter is larger on the JK carrier/ring gear, and the part numbers for the bearings are different. But other bearings may be usable. The standard D44 carrier would have to be drilled out though. Also, JK D44's only have one carrier. No carrier break. 3.21-5.38 use the same carrier.