I have a 78 F250 SC. The front is a Dana 44 w/open carrier converted to 3-link coil spring and cross over steering. Current tires are 35" duratraks. I may go with 37" later on.

The rear is D60 w/detroit locker.
I am planning on adding a selectable locker to the front in the near future.
Here's my dilema..
Question: What really is the strength difference between chromolly D44 axle shafts and a stock dana 60?
The answer to the above question will help me decide if the D60 swap is worth the effort or not.

Also posted in 73-79 forumn.

 

Bobby Longs Axle Breaking Machine Results - Pirate4x4.Com

 

Interesting stuff there...

Was this a D44 shaft?

Longfield 4340 30 spline (shaft failure)......................8,500............... ......175

Edit: I just googled Longfield... looks like they are Toyota axles and not D44. Pretty impressive results however.

 

Bobby makes good stuff but what you want is here.
https://www.rcvperformance.com/store...products_id=67

You could put in a 60, it'd be easy, no fab work but you would likely have to do gears, bearings, kinkpins and you would probably want a 35 spline kit.

If your 44 has the gears and is in good shape just upgrade the axles and throw in some drive slugs and you're good. Building the 60 could top $2500-3000 easy. Ask me how I know.

 

No D44 will ever be as strong as D60

 

This from the link, the dana shafts were the first few in the list.. (nice find higbean)

PRODUCT / ................................................. FT.LB. TORQUE/.... % TWIST
Yukon 4340 Dana 60 35 spline short side axle.........12,000 ..................130
Stock Dana 60 35 spline short side axle .................6,500 ....................35
Yukon 4340 Dana 44 30 spline short side axle ..........5,800 ...................35
Stock dana 44 30 spline........................................5,00 0.....................35

 

If all your gonna run is 37's there is no need for 1 tons...

 

That depends entirely on what he does with the truck. Anything over 35's with a locker on a fullsize it is almost a must to have tons if he is playing in the rocks, or trails where he is going to have the wheel cranked and rompin on it. He has a 3 link and wants a selectable locker, so I'm going to assume he is doing something more than mud bogs/drags/etc.

 

Werd! <fiiiiiiiill>

 

because hot women don't ride d-44's.

:beer:

 

I see your comment and raise you...

 

and yet again Ill post some the comparison pics of a 44 vs 60

Stubs


U-joints


Carriers


Yokes

 

Raise me?

And it appears she is attempting to put her lips around that yoke....

 

or poker player.



and I bet she could take it all the way to the diff cover bolts but Ive heard she likes ring gears more than pinions.

 

o rly?

gd10cl