Front axle question
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Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 970
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From: Northeast Ohio
Front axle question
Im in the process of getting parts together to do a motor rebuild and i found a guy that will sell me a 79 dana 44 front axle for cheap and i was wondering if it was worth it to get it i dont plan on going any bigger then 35" tires and im no hard core offroader the ocasional excursion with friends but nothing to serious. Would it last and would it be worth all the fab work or would it end up being cheaper to get a D60 off an f350? I have an 8 lug rear end could i get the d44 converted to 8 lug some how? Ive been kicking around the idea ive seen some of the f150/bronco guys do it but i feel like im almost doing the truck an injustice by using a 1/2 ton axle on a 3/4 ton truck. Any help on this would be great thanks... Chuck
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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A dana 60 is gonna run in the ballpark of $1000, even for one that needs work. Its a high pinion beefy axle and all the off-road, lifted truck, rock crawlin guys grab em up every chance they get. That being said, if you have the slightest feeling that you'll be doing anything that could seriously strain the axle, I'd spring for the 60. 79 axles weren't what axles are now. Plus the dana 60 bolts right in. I'm glad I put one in my 94 F250. Plus you can use the hubs, spindles, lockouts, bearings, and brakes from your IFS should anything be bad when you get it or you break something. All in all, I would pay the extra dough for my axle again, so I have to advise you the same.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Moyock
i would say for you... the only d44 axle worth getting if you come accross it is a 70s f250 8 lug axle. other than that i would wait it out for a D60
this site is very informative for the dana 44
The Driver Side Differential Dana 44
this site is very informative for the dana 44
The Driver Side Differential Dana 44
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Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 970
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From: Northeast Ohio
Its just $1000 bucks is alot more saving but if its worth the money then ill wait and its a 5 lug unit so i would have to hunt down and get parts off an 8 lug so it would probly be sitting for a while. ill have too keep my eyes out for a d60 when i can save up the money....
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 583
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From: Utah
I just picked up a D60 off a 96 F350 complete for $700. It took me a year to find it though. I didnt have the time to do it myself so I paid a local shop. Everything is brand new Moog and its under the truck. Grand total $1877. Thats installed.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Its definitely worth it in my book. Just make sure that if it comes off of a truck, get the u-bolts and spring plate that they bolt through. Its a different from the ifs set.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2010
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From: Northeast Ohio
Ok ive be looking alot and the best i can find around here is $800 i guess that aint too bad im goin to be doing all the work my self the guy said i could have everything from the frame rails/t-case down.
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From: Moyock
price sounds pretty good. sometimes im glad i have 1/2 ton though, just picked up a high pinion d44 complete with new (kinda rusty) rotors, pads, caliper (cause its missing one), brake lines, BNIB MileMarker hubs. came with radius arms, half the drive shaft, coil springs for $300
only problem is the 3:50 gears... i got swap out the 3:55 from the ttb
only problem is the 3:50 gears... i got swap out the 3:55 from the ttb
