D30 to D44 WT in a Wag?

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loganobrien121
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D30 to D44 WT in a Wag?

Post by loganobrien121 »

Hey guys,

So now that I have everything needed to lift the wag (4"), I of course got distracted and had a novel idea- I know there's certain benefits to swapping to a 6 lug and I found a W/T front D44 with disc setup from a 76 chero.

Haven't found a rear yet, but is this swap worth it? I think for both axles it'll come out cheaper than the backordered disc conversion kit I got from BJs, so that's a plus. But other than possibly having to trim the fenders (which, I think I should be fine with 31s, no?) what else would I need to be aware of. I saw Dr. Marneus' post on this and it seemed to go well except for driveshaft vibration, but I'm not sure if he had trouble mounting shocks/springs.

Any insight would be nice - I'm not married to the idea of swapping, but it does open up more wheel/tire options and kills the front disc swap with the same stone.

Thanks guys!
"Betty Blue"
'71 Wag
Buick 350/TH400/D20

"The Bride of Frankenstein"
Green and some uh rust... color...
'73 Wagoneer.
360/TH400
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tgreese
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Re: D30 to D44 WT in a Wag?

Post by tgreese »

Why put wide axles under a Wagoneer? Get a narrow track D44 front axle, convert it to 5 lug using Ford hubs. Been done before. Keep your rear axle (flanged 44).

There is no advantage that I know of to 6 lug over 5 lug.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
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Stuka
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Re: D30 to D44 WT in a Wag?

Post by Stuka »

4" of lift really is not enough to run WT axles unless you are cutting fenders.

I suggest doing what tgreese mentioned above. Find a NT front axle, and convert it to 5lug.
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Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

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loganobrien121
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Re: D30 to D44 WT in a Wag?

Post by loganobrien121 »

Okay, I'll start looking for that then. Not too many Wags get parted out around here so it may be in purgatory for a while. But thanks for the advice!
"Betty Blue"
'71 Wag
Buick 350/TH400/D20

"The Bride of Frankenstein"
Green and some uh rust... color...
'73 Wagoneer.
360/TH400
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babywag
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Re: D30 to D44 WT in a Wag?

Post by babywag »

loganobrien121 wrote:Okay, I'll start looking for that then. Not too many Wags get parted out around here so it may be in purgatory for a while. But thanks for the advice!
I bought a ‘77 NT parts rig for the axles to swap for the ‘73 I had.
Finding just axles was problematic and @ time would have been more $ than I spent on donor.
-Tony
'88 GW (aka Babywag)

rocklaurence
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Re: D30 to D44 WT in a Wag?

Post by rocklaurence »

babywag wrote:
loganobrien121 wrote:Okay, I'll start looking for that then. Not too many Wags get parted out around here so it may be in purgatory for a while. But thanks for the advice!
I bought a ‘77 NT parts rig for the axles to swap for the ‘73 I had.
Finding just axles was problematic and @ time would have been more $ than I spent on donor.
Its always easier/cheaper to buy a parts vehicle. Most often you can sell the un-needed parts and double your investment.
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