Hello,

Re: 1985 F250HD, 4x4 manual locking hubs, 8600GVWR.

85% highway usage but occasional moderate to moderate-plus offroad (no extreme off-road)

I'm going to be rebuilding the Dana 44HD TTB from the above truck. I want to do this right the first time and not be going later on 'I wish I had done this" or "I should have done that" or "I should have used a better part".

I want to do whatever upgrades are possible.

I have heard that its advisable to use beefed up u-joints but don't know a source and/or recommended manufacturer. Can anyone advise.

On another thread someone mentioned stronger axles but I can't find any other references, anyone heard of this?

Any advise on recommended parts, upgrades or just making it beefer would be appreciated.

Can anyone recommend a complete rebuild kit from somewhere?

Thanks

Rgds

nonrev

 

I do not know how people break this axle, except possibly having the engine wide open and a spinning tire catches on something. I plow with mine and never have had a problem. I would just go through each side and rebuild what you have stock. If you are that afraid you are going to break something, go to the junkyard and get a dana 50 ttb, you should be able to get it cheap enough(just make sure it's the same ratio axle) and rebuild it first, then swap it in on a Saturday. It will have larger balljoints and some of the axle parts are larger, as are the hubs.

 

Im also planning to rebuild my d44hd in the near future and will be doing what Franklin suggested. I just hope I can find one in the yards around here. Jeffsbroncograveyard.com has genuine spicer front end parts, which are much higher quality then any auto parts house brands. The spicer joints will be plenty strong for your intended purpose. In fact, I only use spicer joints in my trail rig and I am far from easy on it. They've held up great for me

 

People love the dana 60's(they bring around $1000) and they hate anything ttb, so there should be plenty to choose from, though these trucks are getting old, and they may have scrapped a lot of them. Look for a old f350(below 85) or any extended cab pickup for one. And you can look under the 87-up trucks also.

 

Only problem is around here people dont scrap 4x4s. They part them out and think that since its from a 250 or bigger its worth more. Cheapest leaf sprung ttb i have seen on the local cl was 250, and it needed 3 ball joints , brakes and both pivot bushings. When i had my 1/2 ton i could pick up complete axles all day long for $100

 

$250 is a lot better than $1000. $250-$300 is the going price around here for a rearend for a f250-up.

 

If I were keeping my TTB44, I'd be doing this:

D50 inner upgrade - FSB Forums

Just my $0.02 ...if you're not real rough on your truck, it might be unnecessary, but it'd give you a little peace of mind