One question I have often contemplated is what's the difference in clearance under the diffs for a built stock 44 housing on 37's vs super duty swapped axles on 40's?

And stock 44's vs a dana 60/14 bolt swap?

Seems like it would be less than an inch, figuring that you gain 1.5" under the diffs with the 40's and lose about an inch of that with the larger pumpkins on the big axles. But I've never measured so just guessing...

 

I'm trying to remember where I saw this, but I think a shaved 14, which are fairly common, sits about 1" lower than a 44.

I could be completely wrong. I spend a lot of time over on Pirate and gather lots of random info.

 

I'll measure my Sterling 10.5 this weekend. It has more clearance than a shaved 14 bolt. You want to measure your rear 44 from center of axle tube to bottom of center section? Then we can compare.

 

Ok, I measured a JK 44 vs my Sterling 10.5. 44 comes down 5.5" from center and the Sterling comes down to 6.25. It wasn't the most scientific measurement I ever took but should be close enough.

 

If no one gets to it by then I'll measure my 44 and post up tomorrow.

 

So that makes a d44 on 37's has 3/4" less ground clearance than a sterling on 40's, right? (1.5" extra clearance from tires minus 3/4" in pumpkin clearance?)

 

However, the pinion of a Sterling is nearly at the centerline vs. the 44 which is at the bottom. Plus, it is such a small surface area and something easy to avoid.

 

Climbbig was right. The bottom of the 44 housing is 5.5" from the centerline

 

The 44 was easier to do. The sterling has a deeper cover so accuracy may be less. Would be good for someone to validate

 

Build it up !! Cheap insurance if you can't swing the PR60. Truss, gussets would be a must. I've been running 37-38's for 5yrs now and now problems.