D44 Tire Question

[BlackRubi]

What is the largest tire that would be easily run on Rubicon Dana 44 axles? I was thinking of running 33s, which is no big deal, but would 35s (aside from clearance in the wheel well) be too much stress on the axles or shafts?

I'm really leaning toward the Pitbull Radials (since they now offer Rockers, Maddogs, and Growlers as radials). The only problem is that the Growlers are only available in pretty much stock replacement sizes, the Maddog Radials are only available in 38s (way too big, I think), but the Rocker Radials start at 33s and go up to 41s. I was thinking that probably the max that a D44 could handle easily and without damage would be 35s. Is this correct?

[Brody]

As far as I know based on what I have read, Dana 44s will handle up a 35" tire before you start experiencing breakage problems. 37" tires are pushing the envelope. This isn't saying that people don't run bigger tires and have no problems. I have run wide (14-16") very heavy, 38-39" tires on Danas on a couple of rigs and never broke anything, but I was maybe lucky. Both of those rigs were locked front and rear and saw pretty hard wheeling.

I know that there are both axle and knuckle upgrades out there to handle bigger tires on the Dana 44, too.

[BlackRubi]

Thanks, Pete! I'll probably end up getting 33s whenever I get new tires, but if I decided to go with 35s, I didn't want there to be axle issues. That really helps. I appreciate it!

[Brody]

Here is a link or two:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221379

http://www.jb4x4.com/tech_dana44fntov.htm

http://forums.4wheeloffroad.com/70/6227318/4x4-driveline/dana-44-strength/index.html

They all say pretty much the same thing...35s are fine, 37s are OK, bigger you're asking for trouble without axle/knuckle upgrades. Note the tire weight/brand in the last link and the 'light throttle' mentioned more than once ith the 35s and up..