4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #1
jotermoter John Armstrong Laguna Hills, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1967 MG MGB MkI	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 16, 2024 10:08 PM Joined 1 year ago 94 Posts

Quick question maybe someone has an answer to. I am installing Bill Guzmans 4-link (awesome bit of kit!) and the axle mount has a tube extrusion that I think is meant to adapt it to the rear axle mount on a stock MGB tube axle.

I am using a Dana 44 without these mounts. How have others handled this? Do I pop a pad in there and call it a day? Grind it down? or am I missing something fundamental here?

I suspect I am missing something fundamental. Maybe I need to buy new MGB mounts and weld them in to accommodate this?

Tx!

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #2
MGB567 Barrie Braxton Ninderry, KabiKabi country, Queensland, Australia Sign in to contact 1966 MG MGB MkI "Money Guzzler" 1979 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "Darkside"	Apr 17, 2024 02:14 AM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 32,720 Posts

More likely to get an answer over on the Darkside (or from Bill). I can't help as I kept my Salisbury.

Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #3
guzzijimbo Jim Williamson Feilding, manawatu, New Zealand Sign in to contact 1976 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "Jake" 1995 Moto Guzzi SP1000	Apr 17, 2024 02:37 AM Joined 9 years ago 29 Posts

The local certification needs in NZ meant the certifier wasn.t happy with the interface between bills brackets and the OE axle brackets
I made 2 new brackets with a larger footprint to match Bills bracket, welded to the axle in place of the originals. No reason that woudn't work for you? Happy to grab a photo if it would help

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #4
MGB567 Barrie Braxton Ninderry, KabiKabi country, Queensland, Australia Sign in to contact 1966 MG MGB MkI "Money Guzzler" 1979 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "Darkside"	Apr 17, 2024 04:18 AM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 32,720 Posts

In reply to # 4786076 by guzzijimbo The local certification needs in NZ meant the certifier wasn.t happy with the interface between bills brackets and the OE axle brackets
I made 2 new brackets with a larger footprint to match Bills bracket, welded to the axle in place of the originals. No reason that woudn't work for you? Happy to grab a photo if it would help

Do you mean NZ required different plates for a Dana or Salisbury? If the latter I'd like to see a pic. Whilst I'm not expecting to run into an issue in QLD I'd like to see what NZ requires in case I need to adapt.

Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #5
tahoe36c Paul Hruza Panama City, FL, USA Sign in to contact 1969 MG MGC GT "Little Red Rocket..." 1972 MG MGB GT "Tiny Dancer" 2002 Harley-Davidson Dyna	Apr 17, 2024 06:55 AM Joined 10 years ago 13,246 Posts

I have installed this upgrade.

I have no idea what a "Dana 44" is...

Your best bet is to purchase some brackets (if available) and weld them in place. Otherwise, trying to secure the suspension will be a nightmare.

Just my 2¢

Those who confuse Burro and Burrow don't know their @ss from a hole in the ground...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-17 06:56 AM by tahoe36c.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #6
MGB567 Barrie Braxton Ninderry, KabiKabi country, Queensland, Australia Sign in to contact 1966 MG MGB MkI "Money Guzzler" 1979 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "Darkside"	Apr 17, 2024 07:33 AM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 32,720 Posts

A Dana44 is an axle I believe from your postal vans that is often used in V8 conversions hence my reference to the Darkside.

Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #7
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN, USA Sign in to contact	Apr 17, 2024 07:45 AM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 15,795 Posts

In reply to a post by The Dana 44 has been manufactured for nearly 70 years, and was original equipment under Jeep, Ford, GM, Dodge, International Harvester and Studebaker vehicles, and even the Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport. And almost every one of these had some unique, funky specification just for that model.

https://www.dynatrac.com/blog/the-difference-between-new-generation-dana-44-axles-and-older-ones/#:~:text=The%20Dana%2044%20has%20been%20manufactured%20for%20nearly%2070%20years,specification%20just%20for%20that%20model.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #8
cschaefer Chuck Schaefer West Chicago, IL, USA Sign in to contact 1969 MG MGB GT	Apr 17, 2024 08:02 AM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 2,867 Posts

If I were the inspector, I think that I would also question your setup too. The 4-link is designed for the MGB axle. If using the Dana 44, you need to replicate the MGB Salisbury axle mounting, including the center to center dimension of the holes.

Are you sure that is a Dana44? I looked online and I don't see the increasing diameter that your pic seems to have on any of those axles.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #9
Mustangsix Jack Collins Oviedo, FL, USA Sign in to contact 1969 MG MGC GT 1973 MG MGB GT	Apr 17, 2024 08:23 AM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 5,869 Posts

I think you're missing the spring pads that are usually welded to the axle. They locate the axle to the mounts and prevent rotation.

Ceres Motorsports, LLC. www.ceresmotorsports.com

Ceres Motorsports specializes in the repair, restoration, and customization of classic British cars including MG, Triumph, and many other makes.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #10
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN, USA Sign in to contact	Apr 17, 2024 08:44 AM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 15,795 Posts

In reply to # 4786173 by cschaefer The 4-link is designed for the MGB axle. If using the Dana 44, you need to replicate the MGB Salisbury axle mounting, including the center to center dimension of the holes.

.

It has been generic since 2009.

In reply to # 1297945 by 1744 We have sold a total of 28 units in 18 months and will be ready to order another 15 kits from the fabricator. We have shipped them all over the world, NZ, Australia, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, Norway and the US. We made some minor changes such as the bottom bracket which will fit all axles now. Prior brackets had to enlarge the hole for the U bolt to fit the Ford or GM axle. Also the U bolt for the Ford and GM is longer.
I am also testing a coil over shock that we will offer as an option. The option coil over is adjustable and yes more $$$

I have clock well over 6k miles on my RD with the 4 link, the front and rear suspension changes have the best modifications I have made to the RD My wife now likes the ride of the RD. No problems at all. Our 4 link is also used on some high power B's that have well over 300 hp to the rear wheels.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #11
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA Sign in to contact	Apr 17, 2024 09:54 AM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 5,626 Posts

John, do you still have the Dana 44 spring pads you cut off? If not you can make some new ones cut from square tube. Should move them in past the taper too. They should be for 2 3/4" axle tube and the width and hole size of Bill's bracket. You accidentally posted on the stock board instead of the engine swap one.

http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/leafspring-pads.html

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-17 10:07 AM by 260mgb.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #12
jotermoter John Armstrong Laguna Hills, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1967 MG MGB MkI	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 18, 2024 04:00 PM Joined 1 year ago 94 Posts

Yea this setup is bad, its not being driven, just mocked up.

This is a Dana 44 from a US Postal jeep. Pretty specific item that is a direct swap into the MGB and gives you a lot more ratio/posi options and is bulletproof. Usually used for v8 upgrades.

In reply to # 4786173 by cschaefer If I were the inspector, I think that I would also question your setup too. The 4-link is designed for the MGB axle. If using the Dana 44, you need to replicate the MGB Salisbury axle mounting, including the center to center dimension of the holes.

Are you sure that is a Dana44? I looked online and I don't see the increasing diameter that your pic seems to have on any of those axles.

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #13
jotermoter John Armstrong Laguna Hills, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1967 MG MGB MkI	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 18, 2024 04:02 PM Joined 1 year ago 94 Posts

This makes sense and is what I figured I would need to do. This axle came cut already, but I may be able to source some aftermarket.

Tx!
J

In reply to # 4786208 by 260mgb John, do you still have the Dana 44 spring pads you cut off? If not you can make some new ones cut from square tube. Should move them in past the taper too. They should be for 2 3/4" axle tube and the width and hole size of Bill's bracket. You accidentally posted on the stock board instead of the engine swap one.

http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/leafspring-pads.html

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #14
jotermoter John Armstrong Laguna Hills, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1967 MG MGB MkI	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 18, 2024 04:06 PM Joined 1 year ago 94 Posts

Exactly what I am looking to do I think. These universals my drop in and only need to be drilled out in the center hole to match diameter for bills bracket:

https://www.skysoffroaddesign.com/products/sky-usp-001

Send any pics you have,it all helps! Tx-

In reply to # 4786076 by guzzijimbo The local certification needs in NZ meant the certifier wasn.t happy with the interface between bills brackets and the OE axle brackets
I made 2 new brackets with a larger footprint to match Bills bracket, welded to the axle in place of the originals. No reason that woudn't work for you? Happy to grab a photo if it would help

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Re: 4-link conversion with Dana 44 (or any non-MGB axle) question #15
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA Sign in to contact	Apr 18, 2024 06:27 PM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 5,626 Posts

John those are a bit big. Summit shows a bunch. You have 2 3/4" axle tubes. How much room between the U bolts? 2" wide tops, because the MGB springs are only 1 3/4" wide.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/leaf-spring-perches

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-18 06:29 PM by 260mgb.

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