I have a 78 f150 with a d44 and a 9 inch. I would like to fit 39 or 40 inch tires on it. I was going to get a rough country 6 inch lift. I know that the 9 inch won't handle them. I was going to swap in a d60 in the rear but don't to have mismatched wheel lugs. What can I do to make my non hd44 into a eight lug d44.

 

A 60 in the front and a 60 or 70 in the rear, or try the offroad places like curries axle....im sure there are others and get new stubs.

Ken

2008 F150 FX4

 

I have a coil front on it though can't just swap it in.

 

The Dana 44 front is the same as the HD under the F250, you just change spindles and such out. Theres a guy here who put a D60 in the backa nd did a 8 lug conversion to the front and called it a day. And you will need more the 6 inches of lift! My buddy has 3 inch body life and like 9 inches suspension life to fit his 40's, and here's a picture



But thats a F250, so his setup is way different then what you could do.

 

Stinky is running 39's with a 6 inch lift and it looks a lot higher than that.

 

We know Matt's is 9 inches of suspension cause we custom built the leaf packs, but we measured thickness from where the old springs were to where they are now and we got 9 inches. But we also used flatter springs, IDK, but if you can get away with 6 inch suspension for for it!!!

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...119235&width=2

 

I would get a 70 or if not brand loyal get a 14 bolt,both much stronger than a 60 rear.

 

Jon

Stinky's rig is a F250 front leaf suspension. As far as the 9" not handling the 39/40's, what are you going to be primarily doing with the truck?

DD, mud bog with a BB, rock/mall crawl....thats the 1st question to ask yourself (and be honest in the answer to yourself) then go the route you need to.

There are lot of companies that will sell you some chromoly axles, 1430? output flange, HD drive shafts and HD u joints ect.... and other kit to make that 9" handle some tough stuff. Currie axles and Randy's ring and pinion....

The inner of a 8 lug d44 is not all that stronger than the inner of a 1/2 ton D44, so I hear all the time.

So swapping to 8 lug is not all that good of a deal, you will have to get new rims and you will still have 1/2 ton suspention.

There is always a weak link (u-joint) designed into a vehicle, the object is to strengthen all of them and have less down time and more time wheeling, right?

14 bolt or rear D60 and of course the "holy grail" kingpin 79 snow fighter D60 in the front is the bomb, but is the time and money really necessary for your truck.

Just some rambling on to read while you set there and drink a coke and eat pizza bits. lol

 

It will mainly be a pavement queen but I might do a little trail riding but probably not. Just want a awesome looking truck but not a cheap one that breaks all the time.

 

Talk to the Currie folks and get the 9" axle built, air locker, HD ring and pinion, diff guard, maybe some trussing, chromoly axles, HD bearings. Out put flange HD.

Tom WOODS d/S and the transfer input and out put flanges exchanged for better ones along with HD u joints

And do the front end too chromoly axles, air locker, truss, diff guard.

 

Jon just swap spindles on your 44. Thats what i did. Direct swap. Its not gonna make it any stronger but you do get the advantage of bigger brakes.

 

Gonna help me? I would have no idea what to do. Looks like there is a dana 70 in wittman that I might need to get too.

 

Yeah man. Its pretty straight forward. I have an extra 60, but i think its from an early chebby?

 

I had 9" of lift on the first Earthquake truck with 40's under it. I beat the holy hell out of that truck darn near every weekend and only broke the rear driveshaft slip yolk once.





And then Pintoches broke the pinion in his 9" with 37's trying to climb a 18" rock ledge. ...luck of the draw I guess.