Axle housing

[okie]

I am preparing to shorten a D44 front axle housing out of a 79 3/4 ton Ford PU. I want to size the cut of the housing, so I can use the stock axles, from a 90 Jeep Gran Wagoner. Going to install axle assembly in 92 YJ.
Question: from what point do I measure, or best method of measurement for the housing tube cut?

[dukegnarley]

when i did mine, what i did was measure the difference in length of the shafts, then grind the weld off of the knuckle, pound or press the inner knuckle off, then measure from the end of the tube and cut.

If you really want, you can put your outer knuckles on before you weld the inner knuckles back to the tube to check to see that you're getting the spline engagement you want.

[glenfoxman]

I have a front axle housing with the 3rd member in it. Has no axles, but does have the backing plates and one d**m. Has the leaf springs, but Bubba got torch happy and cut the top one or two springs to take it out. I learned a lesson here Has couple of tie rods, but another has been hit with Bubbas torch. Take 100 for all. Can bring to Tower Park Friday or Saturday.
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[Parts Mike]

If you have both housings you can actually measure before you do any cutting. There are 2 holes in the cast center section, all Dana 44's have them, they were used to allow a spreader to setup the gears. Measure from the center of each hole (right and left) out to the end of the tube inside the "C" on the same side. Do this to the narrower Waggy housing. measure the Ford from the same holes out on the tubes, mark and cut. Remove the "C" and clean them up and align them on the tubes you have a Ford housing, Jeep axle width. Make sure you use the correct outer axles that match the Ford or the Jeep. Jeep used GM parts and the outer axles are 9.94" long - center of ujoint to end of spline, Ford's are shorter.