xjbub93

So here's the deal. I'm finally gathering parts to build my jeep and among those is a full width dana 44 front axle. Only issue is it's passenger drop and I like the np231 too much to get a 300. I know people will say I should've gotten a driver drop axle but this one has an arb air locker, 5.38's, chromoly shafts, histeer and a beefy diff cover. And all I gave up for it was an old rifle. So I'm gonna cut the tubes and swap me around. The reason for this thread is I'm contemplating making a really nice fixture to cut tubes nice and concentric with an angle grinder and cutoff disks if there would be enough people who want to use it also. Idea is just whoever needs it just pays the shipping and it can bounce around. I just don't wanna do all the work to make it nice if I'm just gonna use it once. Ideas? Opinions?

ftwelder

Hi, I have an interest in your project purely from a technical perspective.

xjbub93

As in how the jig would work? Haven't really thought of anything more than a rough idea yet but essentially some kind of rotating rack that will hold the axle and spin it true and a clamp for the grinder that way you can feed it in perpendicular and make a nice, square, clean cut. Maybe even work an alignment rail in there for when you reweld the tubes. But I am purely open to suggestions as far as how I should make the jig an how it should work. I have access to a full machine/fab shop so anythings possible with enough work and thought.

gpXJ

Why not just a chop saw with the axle strapped down level on a table/jack stands? Seems much easier and much easier to get a straight level cut?

Edit: although I guess that doesn't help your jig making suggestion.

SeriousOffroad

Why not just sell the pass. drop axle and gears and keep the ARB.
You're re-inventing the wheel for no legitimate gain.

xjbub93

Gpxj the chop saw is my plan if no one wants to use a jig just thought it might be a cool project someone could find a use for. And I wanted to cut and weld instead of selling the axle and getting a driver drop one because of the extras this has other than the locker. I mean the trade I made was worth the locker alone but I want to keep everything else too and it's worth the work to me. Not really a big deal anyways just some cutting and welding.

andrewmp6

Do you have a 220 welder?

xjbub93

Ya Our shop has a pretty nice mig. I guess our chop saw is broke right now haha so there goes that plan. I'll just make a jig. Not gonna get fancy seems like not many people would want to use it. I'll put pics up here when it's built and if anyone needs it they can comment I guess haha.

andrewmp6

The axle you have is either gm or dodge you could just sell it and buy a ford axle.

xjbub93

I know I just have the tools to cut and weld it so that's what I'm gonna do. Sounds backwards and unnecessary I know but I just want to try it.

caged

dana 300 is a much better case. just sayin...

xjbub93

Ya that's the other option. I just don't know anything about the 300's. Maybe if I learned more about em I'd be more into picking one up for the 300 dollars or more they cost.

andrewmp6

If im going to do that much work im building a steering 9 inch or steering 14 bolt.

Atmos

what are you doing? cutting both the tubes off, switching them, then slugging them back on? so you're going to cut the tube and slug it twice? or realize that you have to cut the knuckles off too. the proper way to retube and axle is drill out the plugs at the diff and then get fresh tube to work with, so a chop saw is the answer. theres a reason almost no one does this. plus if it's passenger drop isn't it low pinion? so it's coast side on that pinion which is weak. if you're not out any cash sell that thing for as much as you can get and build a proper front axle, or run a pass drop tcase

Atmos

2 thumbs way down to both those axles in steering application