dana 44 solid axle questions.

[ocnorb]

All the 70s trucks I have seen w Dana 44s and any tire over 35s were always broke. There us a reason the dana 60 is such high demand

No doubt.

My position is if you stay under 33" tires and don't take it offroading it would survive in a daily driver with the caveat that you would have slightly more maintenance as far as ball joints and bearings go.

 

[NMB2]

I CANT AFFORD A DANA 60 SO THATS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR NOW.

THANKS!

Here is the best advice you can possibly be given. Wait until you find the right deal on a D60. Swapping in the 44 is a waste of time, and asking for problems. There is no upgrade of that D44 over your current TTB50.

 

[towcat]

behave gentlemen.
we're on reduced staff this weekend and I will be handing out vacations quicker as a result.
this thread is edited due to people who can't discuss civilly.

 

[alienturtle]

I think we all have beat it in his brain that a dana 60 would be a better choice. I have discussed this with him as well and he knows his options. He now has a Dana 44 in his possession. Lets stop beating a dead horse and just help him swapping in his 44. If he changes his mind, thats up to him.

 

[NMB2]

if thats the case and how he feels then I'll just be dead honest.

If he cannot figure out by looking at it, what needs to be done, then he has no place working on an axle swap, especially on the steer axle. Puts everyone else on the road at risk.

If he can look at it and figure it out himself... then get to it.

 

[alienturtle]

i think a lot of people can look at something and "figure" it out. But some while being 1am in the morning might post on these lovely forums for more of some advice or help from someone that might have already done the swap. Get a little heads up if you will. I dont know what his "skills" are. Some people are ment to hold a wrench and some people arnt

 

[93f250idi]

Thank you!!! Guys I'm not trying to be an ass but I'm not worried about strength or any of that. I've seen ttbs bust axle shafts in places where a 44 went with no trouble. The 44 is going in the truck without a doubt. I've owned several ttbs and 44s and the 44 is a better axle IMO. I just need some help on how to get it in there. I appreciate your concern on and recommendations for a 60 but one of those cost a $1000 more than what I have in this 44. So please if you know how to make this work then help me out. Thanks

 

[NMB2]

i think a lot of people can look at something and "figure" it out. But some while being 1am in the morning might post on these lovely forums for more of some advice or help from someone that might have already done the swap. Get a little heads up if you will. I dont know what his "skills" are. Some people are ment to hold a wrench and some people arnt

Completely agree... but just judging by his posts it sounds like he doesn't even know where to start and wants to be walked through it. I am NOT saying there is anything wrong with asking questions and learning, I am just saying that this isn't something that you read about online, then go do it for the first time.

An axle swap like this is really a very simple task, which is why I am always skeptical when someone is unsure of what to do.

 

[93f250idi]

if thats the case and how he feels then I'll just be dead honest.

If he cannot figure out by looking at it, what needs to be done, then he has no place working on an axle swap, especially on the steer axle. Puts everyone else on the road at risk.

If he can look at it and figure it out himself... then get to it.

I'm sure I could figure it out but being unemployed I spend my days doing whatever I can to keep a little money. I don't have much free time to do anything. All my free time goes into maintenance on my vehicles. So yea I'm sure I can figure it out. I was just askin for advice

 

[NMB2]

I'm sure I could figure it out but being unemployed I spend my days doing whatever I can to keep a little money. I don't have much free time to do anything. All my free time goes into maintenance on my vehicles. So yea I'm sure I can figure it out. I was just askin for advice

You asked for advice, everyone told you to wait and get a D60, you're dead set on downgrading axles because you want a solid axle, I get it. I am feeling generous because I've been an ******* lately so here you go.

your 78 D44 is 68" wide, your current front axle is 69.25" wide, you need to be aware of this, it will be noticable.

the spring pad width on the 78 axle will be 31.5", your truck is 36".

the 78 axle has a cast in spring plate on the driver side, this is ok because you are moving it over 2.25"

first, purchase 3" wide leaf spring pads, then cut the passenger pad off of the 78 axle. pull TTB out of your truck, set 78 axle under it with spring pads on, lightly tigthen the u-bolts enough to take up all slack, but still able to rotate axle tubes. set axle down with jackstands under it. I dont know what type of front d-shaft you have.... so

if its a CV shaft, the joint at the axle needs to be at 1*, if it is just a 2 joint shaft, do your best to match the angles at both ends. Once you have made sure you have the d-shaft angle correct, (dont worry about castor, it will be fine on your setup) and that the axle is still centered, tac weld the pads on.

pull axle out... fully weld pads on, bolt axle up.

steering is stupid simple, but you're stuck spending a little bit of money because your steering box is wrong to run the 78 F250 setup, and the F250 axle is 2" wider than the F150 axle which uses the same steer setup as you.

have fun.

 

[MUDKICKR]

or,
step 1: drop truck and parts off at my house
step 2: i will complete the axle swap for you
step 3: i call you and tell you its ready
step 4: you bring me 800 bucks for the job
step 5: you drive home happy cause you didnt have to turn one wrench.
its really that easy.

 

[gonecrazyi]

I would run a 44 without hesitating. I've seen them in single cab dieselsthat were jacked up with 38s and beat to hell without breaking.

I personally held out for a Dana 60 and now have a spare or two. But I do think it would be a lot easier to get a set of superduty axles. Their stronger than the 44 and around me can be had for around 750 a set.

But if you enjoy projects go for it. The worst that could happen is the ttb axle will have to go back in of something doesn't work out.

 

[Diesel_brad]

You asked for advice, everyone told you to wait and get a D60, you're dead set on downgrading axles because you want a solid axle, I get it. I am feeling generous because I've been an ******* lately so here you go.

your 78 D44 is 68" wide, your current front axle is 69.25" wide, you need to be aware of this, it will be noticable.

the spring pad width on the 78 axle will be 31.5", your truck is 36".

the 78 axle has a cast in spring plate on the driver side, this is ok because you are moving it over 2.25"

first, purchase 3" wide leaf spring pads, then cut the passenger pad off of the 78 axle. pull TTB out of your truck, set 78 axle under it with spring pads on, lightly tigthen the u-bolts enough to take up all slack, but still able to rotate axle tubes. set axle down with jackstands under it. I dont know what type of front d-shaft you have.... so

if its a CV shaft, the joint at the axle needs to be at 1*, if it is just a 2 joint shaft, do your best to match the angles at both ends. Once you have made sure you have the d-shaft angle correct, (dont worry about castor, it will be fine on your setup) and that the axle is still centered, tac weld the pads on.

pull axle out... fully weld pads on, bolt axle up.

steering is stupid simple, but you're stuck spending a little bit of money because your steering box is wrong to run the 78 F250 setup, and the F250 axle is 2" wider than the F150 axle which uses the same steer setup as you.

have fun.

Very informational post.


Back to the OP. you are going to need leaf springs too. The F250 TTB ones will ride like **** w a solid axle.

Dont forget about a track bar mount. The solid axle will walk all over the place with out one

 

[gonecrazyi]

I believe a 4in lift minimum is needed to clear the crossmember of the 80 and up Trucks.

 

[david85]

your 78 D44 is 68" wide, your current front axle is 69.25" wide, you need to be aware of this, it will be noticable.

Now thats something I didn't know....thanks.