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Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
#1424582
04/23/13 11:54 PM
04/23/13 11:54 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 364
Houston, Texas
Slant6pak
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 364
Houston, Texas
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I've finally decided to try and get my Ramcharger running as I'm getting tired of pushing it around the garage with my 08' Ram  . I'm planning on pulling the body off the frame and painting it before I install my freshly rebuilt 440.... but I've also decided to take closer look and the rest of the running gear before re-installing the body. The 727 had a recent rebuild before the truck was parked years ago, and I've installed a new filter (it just has to last until I can find an Np445) and I planned to go through the Np203 as well. Should I consider upgrading the axles as well? I'm not going to do serious wheeling... but will be running larger tires and slight lift. My 440 is quite a bit stronger than the original smogger 440 was. I was thinking about looking for a set of 3/4 or 1 ton axles but haven't been lucky enough to find a set that was reasonably close.
2016 Challenger Scat Pack Shaker  1000 ci Brass Era Speedster project
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: 76dodgeboy]
#1424584
04/24/13 12:14 AM
04/24/13 12:14 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 364
Houston, Texas
Slant6pak
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 364
Houston, Texas
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Could I just keep the front hubs locked with my Np203? Honestly, I was hoping to snag one of the full-time Dana 44 HDs for the front just because everybody else hates them 
2016 Challenger Scat Pack Shaker 1000 ci Brass Era Speedster project
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: QuickDodge]
#1424587
04/24/13 06:53 PM
04/24/13 06:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,064
Iowa
76dodgeboy
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,064
Iowa
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Quote:
You probably already know, but the 1978 hubs aren't noted for being strong enough for large tires. These hubs held up reasonably well with stock size tires.
Seems like I heard of someone taking the hubs off a late 80's or early 90's CAD axle and using these newer hubs on the 1970's axles. This swap is susposed to eliminate the hub problems of the 1970's axles and the weaker center of the CAD axles. In other words, you are using the best parts of both axles.
Hopefully someone else will chime in and tell you more about this swap. I'm not real good on the 4x4 stuff.
Yes you can swap 80-93 knuckles out onto your full time axle. Even the 3/4 ton. I was going to on a drum brake front axle.
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: NITROUSN]
#1424589
04/24/13 07:34 PM
04/24/13 07:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,951
Greenville, PA
redraptor
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,951
Greenville, PA
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Quote:
Junk that 203 and failure prone weak bearing front end. Find a doner 80 to 93 and swap the front and rear along with the transfer case.
80-93 what? I have that era CAD 44 and a 9 1/4 that have taken some abuse and haven't failed. I still have high gears and run low range and I haven't tried to break it. I can buy 9 1/4 rears all day cheap and probably the 44's and with with aftermarket axles would be cheaper than anyone wants for D60's or D70's.
My pet peeve is really what axles are easier to maintain and less costly for bearings, seals, & brake pads.
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: 76dodgeboy]
#1424591
04/24/13 07:52 PM
04/24/13 07:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,951
Greenville, PA
redraptor
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,951
Greenville, PA
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Quote:
He's referring to the part time axles that started in 80 For Dodge.
I've always heard Halfton D44s were weak with bigger tires yet I see TONs with tires over 37"
I don't think a D60 rear is worth alt do to them being standard in 3/4tons 2 or 4wd
Don't alot of Jeeps use 44's on front or rear? The 9 1/4 is cheap for parts but I really haven't analized bearings & seals for D60 front versus what I have or how it's designed from the steering knuckle out.
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: redraptor]
#1424592
04/24/13 10:03 PM
04/24/13 10:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043
State of Confusion
hp383
Just a normal tag again
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Just a normal tag again
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043
State of Confusion
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If you end up with a D60 rear, and run the 727, I have a rear driveshaft you might want.
I had mine shortened to fit the D60, then ended up putting in a D70 before it was driven.
Join the Penguin Liberation Front!!
Stop the Hippo Occupation!
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: NITROUSN]
#1424595
04/24/13 11:59 PM
04/24/13 11:59 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 364
Houston, Texas
Slant6pak
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 364
Houston, Texas
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I intend to keep my Np203, I hope I will be able to do 4-wheel burnouts  I don't intend to go nuts with lift or tires, I'm limited by the size of my garage door. I can go 2" lift with 33s and fit in with a couple inches to spare. I've read that most 3/4 and 1 ton axles are already fitted with 4.10s and 8 bolt lugs would allow me to use Hummer H2 take off wheels (don't cringe, they actually look nice on these trucks minus the center cap) The truck will be more of a resto-mod than a serious offroader. The worst it will ever see is a trip up to our property outside La Grange which requires an overland route to reach.
2016 Challenger Scat Pack Shaker 1000 ci Brass Era Speedster project
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: NITROUSN]
#1424599
04/26/13 01:12 AM
04/26/13 01:12 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 522
Lenox Iowa
MMiller
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 522
Lenox Iowa
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While I'm no fan of full time 4x4, a 203 doesn't scare me. A dana 44 front, 33" tires a 440 and a 4 speed does though. If you really are going to try 4 wheel burn outs, start sourcing a dana 60 front. With stock size tires, a tired 440 and 4 speed, any time I got offroad, the 44 front was shelling parts. Everything was replaced with new and still broke.......
I have a dana 60 front with a lockrite, and all stock components that are 35 years old, and a much better running 440. I've never had it opened up since I put it in the truck 9 years ago and its been beat a lot.
Michael
93 W250 CTD getrag, Bosch 185 injectors, AFE air filter. Trailer puller, daily driver,
90 W250 CTD 727 with smokin 5" stacks. Off road truck
75 Dodge W200 440 4spd 4x4 locked front and rear, twin disc clutch, E85. Pulling truck
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: MMiller]
#1424600
04/26/13 12:27 PM
04/26/13 12:27 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,751
Graham, WA
Polarapete
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,751
Graham, WA
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I had a friend and co-conspirator named Bill Banks (RIP) that owned a wrecking yard in Redmond, WA and after he sold his race car he built a Power Wagon for fun. Since he had the time and the resources he checked the dimensions of everything in the yard. He ended up with the complete drive train from a Chevrolet (gasp) 1 ton 4x4. It was way overkill bulletproof with a 400/727 combo. Both he and the Power Wagon are gone now, so I cannot ask specifics, but I know he never had to walk home due to driveline failure.
1986 Dodge Ramcharger 440 2wd, Bracket Racer Under Construction
1998 Ram 2500 QuadCab, new daily driver.
2008 Honda Element
2014 Carry-On 7x14 Cargo Trailer
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Re: Axle upgrades for 78' 440 Ramcharger
[Re: Polarapete]
#1424601
04/28/13 11:43 PM
04/28/13 11:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 364
Houston, Texas
Slant6pak
OP
enthusiast
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 364
Houston, Texas
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Thank you to all who replied,
I'm still going to try an source a 3/4 or 1 ton set of axles for my truck. That will at least give me the bigger brakes up front on the 44HD and will net me a Dana 60 rear. The larger stuff has to be at least a little more resistant to failure than my current axles, not to mention the my trucks front axle was full of mud when I got it... which gives me doubts that it will last any length of time behind any motor. In addition, my current wheels and tires are total crap so I don't mind changing bolts patterns.
I will upgrade to a Dana 60 front when I can.
Next silly question, can I build a Dana 60 front that is compatible with a full time transfer case? I know I can source a Dana 60 and simply keep the hubs locked, but did any of the later CAD trucks have Dana 60s up front?
2016 Challenger Scat Pack Shaker 1000 ci Brass Era Speedster project
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