I originally went with a local shop to build a front axle from the Mitsu 9.5" diff and housing with Chevy D44 outers and Ford hybrid shafts. This was the cheapest easiest thing but unfortunately i got impatient with the shop and said F' it and started buying the Rock Assault parts.
The thing about building a Rock Assault axle one piece at a time is that Trail-Gear doesn't sell every part individually and some things they don't sell at all anymore outside of the fully built axle assembly. ...
Yep. That's the problem I was looking at last fall and early spring. I ended up just rebuilding the front D44 which I think ended up being just short of as expensive as just putting in a new axle. I managed to keep the ARB. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Of course, one of those projects that starts out small and by the time you figure out you're going to end up dang near replacing the entire thing, you're too deep in to stop. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Ford with Chevy outers is what I have. Nice but not a Dynatrac JK or ProRock. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> After I replaced the rear, I really wished I'd replaced the front with a Dynatrac, too. Not willing to dump what is essentially a brand new axle now, though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
If I do have to replace another one or do the little Sport, I'll definitely do complete axles. It took weeks (literally) to source, accumulate parts and rebuild the front D44. It took a day and a half to dump a complete new axle in the back including getting a new drive shaft built. Dang near as much labor in the front as the just the cost of the rear axle. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
... Oh well i've got a killer front axle, i built it and i was able to piece it together as funds permitted like i wanted. So i'm happy with that.
Yep, sometimes that counts for a lot. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> The older I get, though, the less my enthusiasm is for piecing things together. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Living in CO and having no time to do stuff myself hasn't helped. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I really want to build the little black Sport - three link front and leaf rear with the same dual t-case setup - but that may not be practical or possible now. Waiting to see if the Mitsu dealership closes and where the tech that does my maintenance goes and still trying to find a reputable shop that'll take my designs and do the work.
Been looking at '97 Land Cruisers, but now I'm spoiled and refuse to drive anything that doesn't have either a dual t-case or equivalent. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
Edward
