DIY Dana 44 FF?

In the process of piecing together 5 on 5.5 disc brakes for my GM D44 thats gonna go under the 6, I started to wonder, could I use all of the same components to build a homemade full float kit for my rear axle? If I have the shoulder on mounting surface of the small bearing spindle machined down to fit inside the axle(or have the ID of the axle flange enlarged or some combo of the two), and run the GM disc backing plates, ford hub and rotor, does this work? Or do I need more shoulder on the mounting surface of the spindle to ride inside the axle? In my mind, this would let me run 30in/19out splined shafts, the same hubs as the front, and have an axle shaft that can be removed without pulling the spindle. This all seems like it should work (in my mind), but I feel like I am overlooking something really obvious that makes this really impractical (palm to forehead type revelation). Anybody want to burst my bubble? Thoughts?

 

Anybody?

 

DIY Full Floater

From the technical section.

 

Well, talked to Nickmil about building this setup, and that gave me the confidence to start trying to figure out how to make it happen. Stopped by R&P 4wd the other day, and bounced this idea off of Rich. As we were talking, he led me into the shop and pulled out a GM small bearing spindle that had already been machined, and re-shouldered, SCORE! Guess I wasn't the only one who thought this made sense. Which is good, gets me outta doing the hard math, measuring and mocking everything up. Spindles are now being machined, Caddy rear disc calipers are in the mail, and, its almost time to order some shafts from Dutchman. Full float, disc brake, offset 44, with shafts that will fit through the spindle, thanks Nick, and R&P. Pics to follow, if anyone is interested.

 

Yes, X2!

 

Posted in my build thread.