Tire size?

Cameron Harris

Cameron Harris

Active Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2014
Location
Wilmington NC
throwing together my hp Dana 44 and ford 9" build, and I am hung up on the issue of tire size. It will be under my Cherokee, 231/300 doubler (7:1 total low) and 5.13s in the axles. Will be locked front and rear. 9" is the big bearing newer housing from 81, and the front is a 76 ford 5 lug high pinion Dana 44. Do I go 37s or 39.5 rockers? I am currently geared and locked on factory axles (d30 and 8.25) and repeatedly break shafts up front, and don't want to be in the same boat with throwing tires on the 44 that will be right in the border line. Any advice and help is appreciated.
 
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37's
 
37s. Rockers like to break stuff. Even with 37s, I'd get some GOOD shafts for the front.
 
Now I'm on 33s, 4.56s and locked, I don't lay on the skinny pedal a lot either. Many people say I'd be fine with the 39.5s if I retain my same wheeling habits, but I know it would be pretty close to the same situation I'm in now
 
Ran that same combination under two different rigs minus the doubler. First was on heavy 37s and second time on beadlocked 35s. The doubler is going to really put a strain on the axles. If you like wheel speed I would not go bigger than 35s.
 
I'm not much of a wheelspeed person, and plan on running beadlocks and might as well just do 37s like everybody is suggesting. I've seen plenty run 39s and 40s and claim to have no problem but many of them don't really ever wheel hard and that's the only reason this jeep is being built.
 
Infamous1 said:
Dang a guy asking for advice and then using it????? Don't see this much, good luck on the build man!! 37s will be safer with the added strain of the doubler.
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Haha I know right? I'm willing to listen to those who have already done this. After much research the 37s sound like the safest bet. Thanks for the help.
 
Cameron Harris said:
throwing together my hp Dana 44 and ford 9" build, and I am hung up on the issue of tire size. It will be under my Cherokee, 231/300 doubler (7:1 total low) and 5.13s in the axles. Will be locked front and rear. 9" is the big bearing newer housing from 81, and the front is a 76 ford 5 lug high pinion Dana 44. Do I go 37s or 39.5 rockers? I am currently geared and locked on factory axles (d30 and 8.25) and repeatedly break shafts up front, and don't want to be in the same boat with throwing tires on the 44 that will be right in the border line. Any advice and help is appreciated.
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Dana 60 kingpin front/ 13 bolt rear. Final answer.
Ask me how to waste money on 1/2 ton axles. Then do it right.
 
Somebody has a strong opinion. Glad you wasted money on 1/2 ton axles, now you are into bigger and better things.
 
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while you complained that his post was not helpful and annoying, he is exactly right. With that kinda gearing, and those tire choices, 1/2 ton axles will net you the same thing you have now. Broke axles. The ton Dana 60, and 13 bolt(shaved 14 bolt for clearance, hence loosing the 1 bolt hole, it how to do it. Any kinda traction on the half ton set up will do nothing but pop axles.
 
Just spend yur money on tons unless you are...

A: gentle
B: run no more than 37s
C: spend lots of money on chrome moly!

I ran 44/9" with 36" and beat em hard. Occasionally would break a front stub.
BUT... I had front chromos with super joints.($1000.00+) And I had 35 spline rear chromos with a nodular iron carrier and a spool.($1000.00+)

I know we all know someone who ran 40" on half tons and all that, but the reality of wheeling in the rough terrain in North Carolina will break halfs
 
Already have the axles, and don't want to go tons on this build. Next one will for sure be tons but it will be on a rig that actually has a frame lol. I'm relatively easy on the throttle for sure. Thanks for the advice!
 
I loved my rockers but the 37's are too small (more like a 35) and the 39's are too wide. I switched to 37 red label crawlers and my 44 front became a joke. Like these guys are saying, you will be on the borderline with 37s and that much gear.
 
37s are a good size tire, and you can make them work. My friend runs 35s on an 8.8 and built 30 hard as hell, so going to a 9/hp44 should work and handle them. But, I was starting a 9/44 build and decided to just go 14/60 so strength will never be an issue. You say, "I'm not a wheel speed guy" now, but some things need speed and it's nice to not have to worry ab blowing shafts :( GO TO TONS! :rockon:
 
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