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crack pipe time... Waggie FF

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Aug 16, 2006.

  1. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I saw an issue of the Four Wheel Drive and offroad. There was a writeup on a ford 8.8 C clip eliminator. What it was was a steel block made to bolt on the end of the housing, then a bearing retainer is bolted to it. The ne whousing holds the bearings and such. Well since the wagoneer rear 44 is a 4 bolt flange, i am wondering if one could make a say 1 inch spacer, to bolt onto the housing, and the outside of the spacer it is machined for a spindle to index inside the spacer and a flange on the outside of the spacer to bolt on the spindle. My only worry would be that you now have alot of leverage on the 4 bolts holding it to the housing. I wonder if the housing end would be strong enough? What do you guys think?
     
    DanStew, Aug 16, 2006
    #1
  2. hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    The 44 is already a semi floating axle isnt it?

    Warn makes kits to convert them to full floater operation and you can use either a lockout hub or a drive flange.
     
    hudsonhawk, Aug 16, 2006
    #2
  3. MCSCOTT

    MCSCOTT Member

    I think it would probably be strong enough if you used some good bolts for it, depending on how hard you beat on it when you're driving. I haven't smoked enough yet this morning to follow you completely on what you are gaining with it though.:) :)
     
    MCSCOTT, Aug 16, 2006
    #3
  4. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I do not believe teh WARN kit will fit a waggie 44, i think it is larger, but what the heck to do i know. Lets add a indexing ring on the spacer that will go in the housing and press in where the wheel bearings go. Then bolt the spacer to the flange. Then you will bolt a spindle to the spacer. Get custom shafts made. Use a dana 44 spindle and hub setup. It might work if the spacer goes into the housing and help support everything. Only think would be the machine work involved. it maybe pricy. Anyone with a CNC :) I would like to be the test guinee pig :) And if you ask why do this. I truley like the aspect of being able to service the wheel bearings without having to pull the shaft, and being able to pull a shaft and still get home if somethingbreaks.
     
    DanStew, Aug 16, 2006
    #4
  5. MCSCOTT

    MCSCOTT Member


    I just took a big hit, and I see what you are gettin at now. One thing to consider I think would be the axle seals and the fact that you would probably have to have a good seal on at least one side of the spacer, if the bearing was on the outter side of the spacer.


    Hmmmmm.....COugh cough cough.......
     
    MCSCOTT, Aug 16, 2006
    #5
  6. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    like the 8.8 kit. you RTV the spacer to the flange. You then have the wheel bearing seal, and the bearings will be oiled from the differntial gear oil.
     
    DanStew, Aug 16, 2006
    #6
  7. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Hey Dan why not look at the home built setup in our tech section and just get custom shafts made? I would think that would work.
     
    mb82, Aug 16, 2006
    #7
  8. xtrm4xjp

    xtrm4xjp Member


    Waggy ends are differant then the older Jeep/scout ends.

    It's a good idea Dan. You don't really need a CNC for it either, just a decent lathe and a transfer punch set. How soon you thnking of doing this? Have you found out the cost of custom shafts yet? I have machines, and you have my attention. It's something that I have been considering doing. Although I was just going use the ends that I cut off a Jeep 44 I had.

    Dang it, were did I set that darn pipe now!!! Good crack just smoldering away.R)
     
    xtrm4xjp, Aug 16, 2006
    #8
  9. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    For a waggie axle it won't work. The early dana 44 had a 6 bolt flange. The later 44s have a 4 bolt flange so the spindle just wont bolt on :(
     
    DanStew, Aug 16, 2006
    #9
  10. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Adapter maybe? This is what I get for taking hits of the crack pipe.
     
    mb82, Aug 16, 2006
    #10
  11. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    yup, you can call it an adapter. Goingfrom 4 bolt flange to a six bolt, so a spindle can be bolted on. Then just use regular full size dana 44 hubs, bearings, rotors and lockouts, or flanges. And jsut get custom shafts made. The adapter would probably give an extra inch of width on each side.
     
    DanStew, Aug 16, 2006
    #11