Dana 44 hub question

[stoprez2006]

Hey guys I am working on my a-arm baja bug design and need a little help. My plan is to use hubs for the front that are the same as the hubs on my truck. It is a 1998 Ram 1500 which has a Dana 44. I was wondering if anyone on here by chance knows what the length of the hub is from its mounting surface on the knuckle to the wheel mounting surface with the brake rotor in place. If anyone could help I would really appreciate it!

[steveG]

I don't have an answer for you, but if you're going to use a D44 hub, I recommend using the Ford TTB D44 hubs because of the better aftermarket support.

[stoprez2006]

what year ford should I look at getting parts from? I don't know much about Ford's parts as I come from mostly a Chevy family. I also want a 5x5.5 bolt pattern as I already have wheels for it. I am trying to stay away from an aftermarket hub to try and keep cost down and that is why i thought about just using what was on my truck. Any advice?

[SimonSays]

80s and 90s f150s and broncos..

they are already 5 on 5.5

[TwistedMetal]

...as are older Jeeps, Scouts, Dodges, Fords, as well as others. I'm pondering the same thing, just don't like the massive rotors and even larger calipers for a BUG! Leaning towards Toyota spindles/hubs right now due to the smaller, lighter solid rotor and the assembly size in general. Just don't know if I can redrill a set of stock/retrofitted rear Wide 5 discs to 6 lug...

[murphco]

they are not all the same dimensions from year to year.just make sure you use all the same "grouping"of parts.late 90's hubs are .80 shorter than the 80 to 91ish spindles.if you use pre 79 they have a different lenght also.the easiest to use most prevalent and cheapest are the 80's spindle.and with a little work the 97 to 03 front 4x4 rotors can work and they are more shallow than the rotors that usually go on those hubs.thinner also so some of the smaller gm calipers can be used or wide wilwoods too.brief overview,brian can probably give more info and part #'s too!

[TwistedMetal]

Personally, I was/am partial to the Scout spindles/hubs as Fords were always ridiculously long and chewed more rocks and trees than the others in it's family. Drive flanges shortened them up a tad, but they still stuck out past the wheels. Been a while since I've messed with the 4x4 stuff, but I remember the Fords overcompensating for something in spindle length... :)

[sickrick]

Hey guys I am working on my a-arm baja bug design and need a little help. My plan is to use hubs for the front that are the same as the hubs on my truck. It is a 1998 Ram 1500 which has a Dana 44. I was wondering if anyone on here by chance knows what the length of the hub is from its mounting surface on the knuckle to the wheel mounting surface with the brake rotor in place. If anyone could help I would really appreciate it!

Are you talking about unitized style front hubs?

The type that are held in place with 3 bolts and have the cv stub bolted through them?


If so I will have the answer for you in the morning.

[stoprez2006]

Sickrick, yes those are the ones I am talking about. I appreciate your help!

[TwistedMetal]

stoprez2006-

What are you doing for the rear hubs on your bug?? I'm doing the same thing right now and I found that Socal Imports is selling rear disc conversion kits drilled for 5x4.75 bolt pattern. That's like every Chevy on the planet, all the cars, camaros, S-10 trucks, etc. Go that route then go with S10 Unit bearings and you've got matching bolt patterns.
I planned on using the 5 on 5.5 pattern as well, but I can't fit that pattern on the rear rotor caps. :(

[sickrick]

Without the hubs they are 2 inches from knuckle mounting surface to wheel mounting surface.

The rotor is between 3/16 inch and 1/4 inch thick.

I would use 2.2 inches and that should be good enough.

Its the same hub we use on the ultra 4x4.