Here's my question.... I can get a waggy Dana 44 rear end with 4.56 gears (what I want to run) and a spool or a Ford 9 inch (stock) out of a 1980 Bronco. Which do you think is a better setup for my rig, which is a DD/ weekend warrior. Comments..........

Also is a hp dana 44 out of the same 1980 Bronco worth trying to fab up to run clayton long arms....? Thanks guy. I just want to get the opinions of some other people...

 

80 model Broncos have a TTB front axle not a solid axle 44. 79 was the last year. As far as the waggy 44 and ford 9, the waggy will be about an inch wider than stock whereas the 9 will be about 6" wider. The 9 is stronger but the 44 will work fine up to 36s. Both have a different bolt pattern that what you have now, waggy is 6x5.5 and 9 is 5x5.5. BTW you will hate a spool on a daily driven rig. Plan on going thru tires about twice as fast and you'll learn to love the sound of tires chirping every time you turn.

 

good info thanks.... The waggy rear end is apealing because its already geared and ready. Where as the 9 inch will be straight out of the bronco. hmmmm... I can always replace the spool with an open carrier correct? However the added six inch width from the 9 inch does sound nice... crap now I'm second guessing myself....

edit: I can get the waggy rear end for around $200 and the 9 inch I have no idea. The bronco is sitting in my neighbors yard and he said its his daughters and she trashed it (the body) and he has no use for it. If I could get the 9 inch for cheaper would that be worth it. I think this 9 inch is the big bearing, 31 spline version because its in a full size bronco....

 

bu bu bump

 

If it's a full size Bronco then yes it's 31 spline and big bearing but you will need a front axle that is the same width, like a 44 our of a 79 and older Bronco or F150. Waggy fronts are too narrow to match the 9" and you wouldn't want to run spacers that large because it would cause turning problems and bearing wear.

 

i would go for the 9" and grab a d44hp from a ford truck. if it has radius arms tho, it's harder to go with clayton long arm setup, but a modified radius set up can flex just as nice.

one up yourself and look for a d60/d44hp heavy duty from a 70's f250. they are leaf spring front axle without the cast wedges and 1/4 inch thick tubes.
but these will require 6 bolt pattern 16 inch wheels.

 

It's actually an 8 lug bolt pattern, I'm running a set out of a 78 F250. Also the 78 and 79 typically have cast wedges on the 1/2 tons but earlier versions have welded wedges and can easily be cut off.