willysmjeeps.com

Wow, Wes, I will do that!

I just assumed it was another Bubba mod
until the screw info came up.

As requested: Some photos. Not the best, but I will take more if required.

Overview - This is a 44, no?



Axle tag -



Some casting numbers -



And of course, the mystery hub -



The history of this jeep is well known. Built in 1951, surplused and bought by the family I bought it from in 1956.

That solved the mystery. You have a Model 44 axle with a model 41 hub and drum on one end.

Well there you go!

I'll hunt up a correct setup for that side and sell this one to someone with a 41 in their jeep.

You need to post photos of that hub/drum assembly when they are removed so we can try and figure out why the hub accommodates the small hub cap but does not have the three threaded holes for the countersunk screws.

Are both small hub caps identical or different from each other?

Are the two hubs identical less the three drilled holes?

Wes,
I posted photos of my rear drum and differential on a new page under Dana 41 to keep from Bogaring this post.

I just assumed it was another Bubba mod
until the screw info came up.

Wes. Answers and pictures.

Are both small hub caps identical or different from each other? IDENTICAL


Are the two hubs identical less the three drilled holes? No. The raised portion on the outside face that one might assume locates the drum is slightly too large. I put the regular drum over the studs and its face would not go down flush as it hangs up on that diameter. Everything else that I could get my caliper on is the same.

It's difficult to confirm what differences there may be on the hubs without having them separated from the drum and side by side.

At any rate that hub/drum arrangement does not belong on a 44 axle. Is it possible it was assembled incorrectly following the directions for the 41 hub/drum?

I don't think so. The drums are notably different. The one in question has the mounting surface dished downwards. The regular dishes outwards. The difference between the two is the same as the the thickness of the hub flange,

The shoe wear patterns are in exactly the same position for either one.

It fits fine and it works fine, just wrong according to some documents.

Im wondering if there was something in the very early production, as you pointed out the very first manual dated 1950 details how to get this type of hub/drum off of the axle.

It stays till I find a real nice original 44 setup.

I don't think so. The drums are notably different. The one in question has the mounting surface dished downwards. The regular dishes outwards. The difference between the two is the same as the the thickness of the hub flange,

The shoe wear patterns are in exactly the same position for either one.

Impossible for me to reach the same conclusions as you from your photos. You obviously have a much better view of the objects then I do with just your 2 photos of the one set-up.

Also the question arises about if both backing plates and brake shoe mountings are the same or differ in some way.

I'll try some more pictures tomorrow, maybe both in the same picture and an oblique angle.

There is no difference in brake shoe mounting or backing plates that I can find.

I will also put them both on a surface plate and see if they measure the same from the far side of the drums to the surface that the wheel seats on.

I'll also pull a wheel off of FrankenJeep and see what lurks there. I notice that it seems to use the same dust covers over the axle nut.

But its dark now so it has to wait.

Perhaps these two pictures will clarify.

Side by side. "Correct" is the lower one. KH casting numbers showing.



And side view. This shows how the height where the wheel mounts to is the same.



While hard to see, the O.D. paint remaining on both is a dead match, it also matches the green that is left on the axle. I see nothing that rules out the possibility that his axle was built this way.

I see nothing that rules out the possibility that his axle was built this way.

Nothing except standard industrial production quality control. Also the parts manuals that cover each of those model axles list the same drum and the same hub on both sides of their respective axles. As I said earlier you have a field prior owner jury rigged setup due to a prior axle failure or brake failure.

Those photos clear up the drums now all we need are the hubs side by side.