Dana 44 to replace TTB D44?

[Rot Box]

Can anyone tell me if a front HP Dana 44 out of a 78-79 F250 would work under my 86 6.9 without a lift? Almost every ball joint/tie rod on my TTB D44 is shot plus I like the simplicity of a solid axle. I don't work the truck hard, and I'm not afraid of cutting and welding.

The hubs/brakes on these axles are a lot bigger than what I have so I have to assume the rest would be as strong if not stronger, but I'm not certain yet

Let me know what you think

Btw around here (Northern Utah) Ford Dana 60's are $1200+ for a well used one, and that’s quite a bit more than I'd like to spend

 

[Hyde]

There have been a couple of threads about this lately, the pumpkin on the 44 will interfere with the crossmember, you might be able to cutt the crossmember or build a new one completely.

 

[6 Nebraska IDIs]

Yea, thats the same price for them around here too. We had a kid come up to our house the other day and offer $1400 to buy the front axle out of one of our running F350's. I had to laugh.

I do think what you're talking about has been done before. Most people opt to do the D60 swap though instead.

 

[BigRigTech]

I guess the $400 I paid for my D60 was a good investment.......I get calls for them all the time because I sell Ford truck parts on Kijiji as a hobby. To me if you are going to do the work then save up for a 60.

 

[Pipeliner_86]

I had a d44 hp under my 86 before I swapped it out for a d60. The 44 has narrower spring perches on the axles. You will have to fab up spring mount anyway if your going from a ttb truck. The 44 worked just fine for my truck, though it's not the axle that a d60 is. Good luck.

 

[Rot Box]

Hey thanks for the reply's

I found one with my same gear ratio as mine (3.55) in good shape for $100. I think I'll buy it, and see if I can make something work....

 

[Dirtleg]

Before I bought my truck I was actively looking for a D60 to stick under my 78 F250. The cost of the axles I could find were a big part in me deciding to just get a different truck altogether. I would still like to put some good axles under the 78 (convert from 2 to 4 wheel drive) but will probably just wait and find some rockwells instead of paying too much for a D60. Hell, even mogs seem to go for less money.

 

[Rot Box]

even mogs seem to go for less money.

That's so true

I'd probably toss in a TTB 50 if I could find one for a reasonable price--It just seems like trying to polish a **** when it comes to dumping money into the TTB 44....

 

[riotwarrior]

Look here for some SAS info this on D60 with Radius Arms....but a 44 should be basically the same. http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45065

 

[Rot Box]

Well I went and looked at the axle I was talking about, and it's definately a keeper

It's under an 86 F250 diesel like mine already (so the welding on new spring perches part is already taken care of) and comes with everything I need to swap it right in. I'm pretty excited, and can hopefully post up pics once I start the swap

Thanks again,

Andrew

 

[Morgoon]

Well I went and looked at the axle I was talking about, and it's definately a keeper

It's under an 86 F250 diesel like mine already (so the welding on new spring perches part is already taken care of) and comes with everything I need to swap it right in. I'm pretty excited, and can hopefully post up pics once I start the swap

Thanks again,

Andrew

pics would be great !

 

[6 Nebraska IDIs]

WOW, thats a score! And I thought I was lucky just finding a trans and axle that were from the same truck that matched my rear ratio. Yours is a much harder match since its all from a different type of vehicle, but yet all the mods are already done to it!