D44's with a diesel

[Grand_Wag_85]

Planning on doing a Duramax swap into a GW to be a DD/tow rig. Will the D44's live behind the diesel? Stock height, stock tires, stockish LB7 or LLY with auto trans.

[Stuka]

For daily driving the rear D44 would be perfectly fine (towing/hauling is where issues may come up). My concern would be the longevity of the front D44 with the extra weight on it. Ball joints may become a common replacement item.

And one thing to note, I don't think the engine will fit without a lift because of the axle to pan clearance. Stiffer springs would be wanted anyway to deal with the weight. But you can cross that bridge after the engine is in and you can check clearances.

[dodgerammit]

For daily driving the rear D44 would be perfectly fine (towing/hauling is where issues may come up). My concern would be the longevity of the front D44 with the extra weight on it. Ball joints may become a common replacement item.

This. Having been on a Dodge truck forum, there have been plenty that have put a Cummins 12 valve (1200#ish) over a 44 with no issues even after a couple years in. However, the weight rating would concern me since a 44 is rated at 3500#. I would also say it depends heavily on the quality of balljoints in the axle.

[derf]

They might live for a while but if I was going to the trouble of doing a swap with a big heavy diesel I'd be researching heavier duty axles than factory stock.

[Nikkormat]

Put a 4cyl diesel in it to save weight, and pull 30+ MPG out of a Waggy.

[Adventure_Wagon88]

Put a 4cyl diesel in it to save weight, and pull 30+ MPG out of a Waggy.

What 4 cyl diesel would do that? Do you have any evidence to support this? I’m doing a 3.9 L diesel in my Waggy and expect maybe 19-22 MPG. I’ll be thrilled if I can squeak 25 out of it empty. Even if I was running stock tires I don’t think it would break 25 easily. I’m doing a TDI 1.9 in my XJ and that I expect to be right around 27-32. I’m just not sure 30+ is realistic with any engine in a Wagoneer due to weight/size/aerodynamics

[Adventure_Wagon88]

I went through this same phase of questioning for my build. What it came down to for me was weight on the front axle, and towing. I just didn’t want to have to worry about the axles all the time. You have to look too at what the factory engineered too. There are no 1/2 ton rated Duramax trucks. You’re only going to find them paired with a very stout full float 1 ron rear. Even if you don’t want your Wag to be much bigger, I’d plan on running a set of tons and a tire size you’d find on a stock duramax truck which will be a little bigger than the OEM wagoneer tire, probably around 31-32.5” tall. You can fit that with minimal lift/trimming.

[Locked and Loaded]

I'd be more worried about the frame.

[230ohc]

There are 1/2 ton diesel options, that however excludes duramax, Cummins and powerstroke.
The 1/2 ton options may only result improvements in fuel economy, but so will an LS swap.
I know someone who is doing powerstroke on an early 60's international truck where he essentially is only using the bed and body mounted over a 2005ish 7.3 chassis with a shortened frame and custom rear drive shaft.
zero worries about what will or won't work.
This may be an alternative pursuit to my current diesel conversion.

[rocklaurence]

A 1200 lb motor over the D44 knuckles is too much.

[Stuka]

I just noticed the OP also said stock tires. Which being they are a 15" wheel will be Load Range C, which also won't handle the weight.

[rocklaurence]

Allison transmission will probably need floor clearance

[Mass]

Old thread with recent posts..
I'm running D44's with a stock 6bt.
No issues yet and it's been about 4 years. No ball joints or broken parts (yet). I do have a 4" lift though.
I don't think the added 200-300ish pounds per side makes a huge difference for how I drive.
I also don't do any crazy off road/rock bouncing crap or tow more than 3,000 lbs (The frame is what I worry about)
It's all about the mileage, WMO, and reliability

[Mikel]

Put a 4cyl diesel in it to save weight, and pull 30+ MPG out of a Waggy.

What 4 cyl diesel would do that? Do you have any evidence to support this? I’m doing a 3.9 L diesel in my Waggy and expect maybe 19-22 MPG. I’ll be thrilled if I can squeak 25 out of it empty. Even if I was running stock tires I don’t think it would break 25 easily. I’m doing a TDI 1.9 in my XJ and that I expect to be right around 27-32. I’m just not sure 30+ is realistic with any engine in a Wagoneer due to weight/size/aerodynamics

I know someone with a 4BT in a Wagoneer (lifted) and he gets 22MPG.

My M715 hybrid (4BT with 1ton drivetrain) gets about 18MPG.

[eggman918]

After a overhaul and compounds I have been averaging 17 +/- .5 over the last 30,000 miles this is in a tall truck that weighs 8,000 unloaded and in a state where 75 is the interstate limit..........$.02