95 Isuzu rodeo axle upgrade

Hi Guys so I installed my 95 Isuzu rodeo 4wd axle today, This was a bolt in job, Now I have a dana 44 rear with disk brakes and a factory LSD with 4.30 gears. I might change to 4.56 but will test it on the highway in 5th gear to see where my rpm's run at 65-70 mph. I also gave it a shot to re arc my leaf springs with my HB press. Wow it came out pretty dam good and I gained 2" from a flat spring. Not sure how long they will hold up but will see! everything will need a fresh coat of paint but not to shabby!
My next thing will be to swap out the yoke flange with a dana 44 1310 yoke to fit my new drive shaft.













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Nice work, it's good to see someone's not afraid to swap in new things.

Not to knock the swap but i will say If you decide to keep the 4.30s i think JBFP might have a front set for a 4 cyl montero that may work for you. That would be the most cost effective way to make it all work. Lets face it a 4.56 gearset for a D44 is roughly the price of a mitsu 9" or 9.5" axle with air locker and discs likely already geared to match your truck.

Again seriously not trying to be a jerk. Mitsu axles are just inexpensive and overly stout. I'm pro D44, even though the axle you took out is a little stronger it's limited in the options dept unlike the D44 wich has heaps of aftermarket.

Going with Toasty on this one. You swapped in something that you'll end up spending big$$$ on to make work as 4X4 which is always my concern. Now as a swap for some of my Mighty Max p/u buddies, this could be a totally awesome swap, especially the disc brakes upgrade. And the LSD would definitely be a fun thing for the street crowd.

Feed back is good man! I try new things for sure, did find out both rear brake cylinder's on the montero were leaking so it needed a rebuild anyway. From tons of research most jeep guys run this setup, They say its super strong and can hold up on big tires and HP. And yes tons of upgrade options on gears and lockers for the dana 44. I wanted disk brakes and I like the fact it will work with my jeep transfer case. No adapter crap to brake or give me problems down the road. Just bolt in 1310 stuff.
I have my front waggy waiting in line too. I bought locking hubs and new 4.56 gears with master rebuild kit about 6 months ago for it. And again Dana 44. So to me it made sense. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

This came from a 4x4 V6 not a 2wd not sure what you meant by make it work as a 4x4 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Which D44 front are you going to use?

Nice work!! I do agree that the mitsu 9.5 rearend is the most awesome thing that could have happened to us... And if the jeeps guys dont talk about is its because they dont know about it.... Seriously, a 9.5 inch ring gear, disk brakes, air locker and good gear ratio all for a few bucks at the yard?!?!?! I even keep a spare complete rearend in the garage... Not that i think it'll break... But for future projects.

I once rearched my stock leaf springs and i had a problem where if one rear wheel dropped too much he shacke would invert and lock onto the chasis... Not sure if that happens to you as well...

I must say that trying new and different alternatives is fun and self rewarding... Nice job and keep it up!

You said it had 4.30 gears in the rear, with a 4.62 front I think is a bit far for correct front/rear ratio as opposed to the 4.56/4.62 gearing.

I have a front axle out of a 91 jeep grand wagoner going in, will be a good match to the rear, Sense im using the jeep trans and np231 tcase. I like the idea of being different! Not to many turbo powered Dohc 4G64 running around!! Also
the front diff has been pulled out I didn't want to modify my oil pan for something im getting rid of anyway. I will Just running the hubs for now tell the rest is done. The rodeo rear has factory 4.30 gears, I want to test on the freeway to see where my rpms run. Then will decide my gear option, sense this motor doesn't mind rpms I might just install the 4.56 ratio as I already have for the front waggy axle.

ya can do the calculation for that

I would love to know what rpm either gear would be at cruzing speed of 65-70 mph. As most of us we have limited time during our weekend for R&D
I remember you made a chart a while back in excel I think <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Here it is. Updated it during the Cowboy/Packer game this afternoon. Good win for the Pack!

Gear Ratio Calculator

Works in Excel and Open Office

Right on thanks!! Im a cheese head so go pack!! Any seahawk fans out there?? where coming for ya!

Go Hawks!!!

Right on thanks!! Im a cheese head so go pack!! Any seahawk fans out there?? where coming for ya! [/quote]

The graft is awesome man thanks, I only see 150-200 rpm difference between 65-70 mph. I guess all that really matters is low range. I can go either way for highway use and be happy, This saves me a ton of time. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Not sure if you grabbed the excel file from the first day I posted it in this thread or after Tuesday Jan 13 (evening), but I added a custom section in the Jan 13 version that allows input of up to an 8 speed transmission ratios and a LOW of your choice transfer case in addition to the what I had in there before. Same link and file name as before.

I did see that! I will have to play around with different configurations for sure, Great job <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Blue and Green representin' on the wire <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> On the radio today I heard a little kid tell a joke. What's the difference between a bowl of Cheerios and Green Bay?.....Cheerios belong in a bowl <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

You got me on that one!! Well I hate to admit it but I'm glad it's Seattle. And not some other crap team haha. Man I was on the edge of my seat the hole time!
We should have won that game!

completely inconsolable, I certainly cannot congratulate Seattle as they played 57 minutes of crap football.

Go Pats!

That was pretty crappy football <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />