Its been a long time since I've read it but I think the d50 ttb is just a d44 with 8 lugs don't quote me on it. But here's a link to FSB and the d44 8 lug conversion.

http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...es.html#/enter

 

The D50 TTB center section will bolt in place of your D44 center section. Get the long inner axle shaft from the D50. It is quite a bit stronger than the D44 shaft (use a larger ujoint and the ears for the joint are thicker).

 

You will still have to swap to 8 lug outer as the D50 stuff won't work. It should add the some strength to your front and be a relatively cheap way to regear.

 

Ok blew the diff today. I will most likely buy another F-150 3.55 axle just for a quick swap next week.

Just actually bought a gallon of oil yesterday for the diff, but didn't get a chance to change it. Now I've been reading that the 8.8" is strong? (with proper maintenance, of course)

I'm sorry for endless questions but the diff seems to technical to swap gears/replace and this is the first truck that I've actually paid attention to a differential or gears/tire size.

So wiping all the previous posts. What are some suggestions you guys have for me?

What I do with the truck:
4x4 I6 3.55 gears, 32" tires. Light off-roading, if I find better spots, will tackle anything.
I drive 2-3 days a week with it. I dump the clutch, do burnouts/donuts on concrete, etc regularly.

Is the 8.8" with a 4.10 going to be OK with that? And I do want bigger tires, but the truck looks good now and I do like to rip it on concrete, so not sure. Also want to turbo it when I get caught up with my other cars.

 

Short answer.. No

Long answer.. Have seen an I6 5spd truck with 3.08 gears on 38s get around OK in low range when wheeling. On the road it was a dog. But it never broke the 8.8.
You on the other hand sound like I was at 16 and probably need a D60 rearend to ensure you don't break a rear diff again. However the way you described your driving you will just move the breakpoint to your U joints next then to the trans and clutch.
But, if you refrain from burnouts with big heavy tires you may stop breaking rear ends.

 

I picked up an H9 3.55 w/ LSD today for $200.
Was trying to get a $400 (or 2-$300) lifted F150 with a cracked frame. Going to definitely look into reinforcing the steering column area where I see they crack with lifts and big tires before I lift it or get new tires.

After all the reading I always thought the transmission was the weak point and didn't honestly think I could blow the diff without ruining the trans first. So I was using that as an excuse to get a ZF5. But now I see the heavy duty 4 speeds (T18 or T19, I believe) and was thinking of one of those. But the ZF5 comes mated to 7.3s so I know that's the big dogg. The 4spd can be had in a nice $500 truck. Would of bought one today but too nice to ruin for parts, wish my brother would buy it.

I did not know wheel hopping was a thing. I just thought was gripping the pavement too hard and not enough gassing with A/T tires. I did wheel hopping once when I got the truck and from then on was able to burn.. 1 tire anytime I wanted. I guess I didn't give enough gas the other day though and wheel hopped for too long and then sec or 2 later dumped the clutch for another burn out and blew it.

And I kinda like breaking stuff cause it really speeds the learning process. And cars are my hobby. This diff, honestly I do not want to blow. But I do plan on getting some tools and an explorer axle w/ 4.10 gears and LSD to swap and learning how to repair and set a differential.

Came in knowing nothing about differentials just wanting to swap in 4.10 gears but that sounded very technical for a diyer. Now I've blown one and got a junk spare to work with. So I'm happy. And I didn't get $2-300 parts truck like I wanted, but I did get LSD, so it's still an upgrade.

Gonna swap it in tomorrow. And I will take an ez on pavement for now. I will swap in a D60 (From an F-250?) when I get a beefier transmission. Right now I'm thinking the 4 spd manual from the 80s F-Series trucks since a lot cheaper than a ZF5.

But I want to continue to drive the truck like this cause its fun. So the D60 rear and D50 front suggestion is appreciated and any other knowledge you guys could pass on is appreciated too.
Like is the ZF5 or the T18/T19 with a rebuilt D60 going to reliably let me drive like this with 32-35" tires on concrete? I'd like the weak point to be driveshaft or motor.

 

sorry guys.. using the site as a my drunk diary. (took way too long to type)
Will take a few pics tomorrow

edit: my truck don't like to take off in 2nd gear neither. It wants to sorta slip the clutch and stall before it does take off, the 32" tires shouldn't have anything to do with that, right? Clutch feels fine in 1st gear. Gonna do plugs/wires on it.. but honestly that has never fixed a car for me ever! Found a dead injector on my Trans-Am.. so now recounting past cars that may of had one.

 

Got the old one out and the new one in w/ minimal hiccups. (there were a few) Just need to hook up driveshaft, brakes, fill diff w/ fluid but glad the tires are back on.

So on to questions.. the new diff's fluid was milky as **** and part of the ring gear is rusty from probably sitting in that fluid for a while not moving. I've looked and seen others online and they all say it's not a huge deal, just clean it up, fill it up, drive a little and do another oil change/clean up.

I noticed the vent tube on my old diff was cracked right above the breather.. wondering is this a 1 way valve?? Cause I even broke down with the axle under water once w/ a wet distributor