I was wondering if someone could give me the width of the Isuzu Dana 44 rear for a project I want to start for my jeep. I did search but didn't produce any consistent info, I got back 58.5", 58" and even 56" so I'm still at a loss here. Basically I want to upgrade the Dana 35 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> in the back of my Jeep to a stronger unit (Dana 44) and lower gears (4.56), so potentially I could knock out two birds with one stone if I got a 96+ Dana 44 from a 2.6L Rodeo and all I would have to do is regear the front and same myself some $$$$ on the rear regearing. I found that exact axle on the net in a yard about 150 miles away so measuring is really not an option. My only problem is that the Isuzu unit has the 6 lug shafts and my jeep is a 5 lug, so I was wondering if an Isuzu Dana 44 the same size as say a Jeep XJ or TJ Dana 44 (they only go upto 3.73 stock), if so I could just buy some replacement jeep shafts to put in the axle and solve that problem OR if not I would have to take the shafts to a machine shop to be redrilled for the jeep 5 lug bolt pattern. Thanks in advance.

Fred R. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Here is some great information covering all Isuzu axles, courtesy of RobG

Isuzu axle info

Isuzu gear ration option codes

HIH,
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />Andre

Fred, what you want is the rear end of a 94-97 Isuzu Rodeo. The width is gonna work for you and its not a bad swap. Stick to the 4wd version if you can, these will have disc brakes and 4.10 gears are common, which is a good ratio for a moderate jeep and about as tall as isuzu's come OEM (lower 4.30 and 4.56 can also be had, but unless you're above 33's, that might be too low a ratio for you). Remember, our import motors like to rev a lot more than your I6... so we'll have a lot lower gears from the factory than domestic stuff.

the wheel pattern is going to be a problem and what keeps most jeepers from this swap. 6-lug is all that isuzu ever used. your cheapest and easiest option will be to buy two more rims to go with the new axle and just run mismatched rims... long term change out the front to something stronger (5 on 4.5 is weak anyway). You can get custom shafts done with the 5 on 4.5 pattern... not sure if a set of OEM jeeep D44 shafts would swap in, I'm quessing probably not.

if you're strongly discouraged by the wheel pattern problem, you may want to look at a Ford 8.8 swap instead.


-Rob

might be a good time to swap in that D44 front from a later grand waggy (diff on the drivers side. Then run all 6 lug stuff. 6 lugs is better anyway <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

-Mike

Thanks guys this is exactly what I was looking for. Yeah I want to go with the 4.56 gear ratio because I want to do 33's or 35's later on this year when I long arm the jeep. I was considering the 4.30's but the matching gear ratio for the front Dana 30 would be 4.27's. I don't really want to replace the front 30 as I've already dumped a-lot of money on it (AlloyUSA axles, Rubicon express 1/4" thick axle brackets) plus all 96+ Dana 30's on jeeps already have the 5-297 u-joint which I've heard is supposed to be the same used on front Dana 44's. It also looks like I might be able to use jeep TJ or XJ Dana 44 shafts on the Rodeo axle as those axles are 60" wms to wms and the Isuzu 44 is 59.75 wms to wms so that "might" work. Also has anyone ever heard of taking axles shafts to a machine shop and having them redrilled for a different lug bolt pattern? I was on another site and one of the responses was to get that done to solve the mismatch lug pattern problem. Thanks again for all the help.

Fred R.

to get 4.56 out of a 1st gen isuzu D44 (94-97), you're gonna have to settle for a 2wd version w/ drum brakes. are you sure 4.56 is the right ratio for you? you'll be turning lots of rpms on the highway with 33s... 35s will be better. we ran 4.10s in a YJ with 33's and it seemed to be about right.

also, I see you have a ZJ, are you adding the bracketry to this axle? the 94-97 era are leaf sprung. 98+ are coil sprung, but is a bit of a different axle dispite still being a D44. I have no idea if you could use any of the existing link bracketry on the 2nd gen Isuzu D44.

yes, D44 fronts use 297x ujoints, same as the later D30s... but this doesn't necessarily mean they're equals. might consider trying to sell your beefed up D30 in the long run and replace with a D44 mentioned above. you'll find the brakes are going to start feeling inadequet on 35s+, the knuckles are considerably less beefy, plus you'd have to drop another big chunk of change to add hublocks, something that comes in real handy when you do shred a ujoint. as mentioned, the 5 on 4.5 pattern is weak, people have cracked those spindles on more than one occasion. 6 lug or at least 5 on 5.5 is a much better place to be... but again, thats big cash to retro fit your D30 that way.

even if the jeep D44 shaft is identical in length to the Isuzu, you still may face problems in the interchange. I'm not sure the jeep D44 retains the wheel bearing in the same mannor. this may or may not be a problem.

redrilling the wheel pattern is only part of the problem, the wheel center is the other half. a 5 on 4.5 jeep wheel center isn't going to fit over the larger 6-lug even if the pattern matches up. you could probably turn it down on a lathe, but I wouldn't think this is the best idea... or maybe you could find 5 on 4.5 wheels with a larger center.

they're also wheel adapters that will take you between various patterns... these are kinda pricey and will add 2-4" to your WMS to WMS, but could serve as a temporary solution. Strength also is a concern when adding wheel adapters. Again, IMHO, the easiest and most affordable answer is to run mismatch set of rims until you upgrade the front.

-Rob