time for new axles!

[fdezone]

I must say, I'm learning quite a bit about axles. For one thing, I didn't know you could simply use a rear end for a front axle by simply cutting the tubes and welding on new knuckles. (I thought they were pulling my leg.) Of course the buggies I've noticed 'em on required the front driveshaft to be centered and had front/rear steer. I've always assumed there was a difference between, say, front & rear D60 housings.

I've also now seen (or finally really noticed) front axles with D60 dually doo-hickies. Who knew? :roll:

Now I'm trying to fully understand what is meant by, say, a D44 or 9" with 60 outers? Does that just mean the tubes have been adapted to the housing to accept everything from there on out, larger stub shafts, larger u-joints? None, some, or all? Am I way off the mark?

I've come to the conclusion that Chuck's FW HP44 is the way to go (for my level of expertise). A D60 really doesn't have much room on the driver's side axle tube to run the radius arms without a lot of customization or just 3- or 4-linking it. Installing axle tubes into the select housing seems like quite a task. I'm so confused!!! I'm just trying to research the matter thoroughly so that I can make a well informed decision. Still have that FF D60 (w/16 spline axles) sitting in my yard. Trying to decide in which direction I should go with the build. At the end of the day, my junks gotta steer true to stay road worthy.