4x4 front axle
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 6
From: riverside ca
4x4 front axle
I was just curious I'm planning on running 37 inch tires on myF250 4x4 and was planning on upgrading to a dana 44 hp for the front but I've been told this won't hold up that I need the hard to find 78-9 Dana 60 is this true I want to build it just once
Thanks for any input
Thanks for any input
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 707
Likes: 2
From: Sauk City, WI
A built Dana 44 will probably hold up providing you dont beat on it too much. But your sources are correct that you would want a Dana 60 for ultimate strength. There are a couple of different version, closed and open knuckle. I cant remember which is better. Im fairly certain you could look at both Chevy and Dodge front axles for donor Dana 60s as well as the only real difference might be the spring perch location.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 4
From: colbert washington
A built Dana 44 will probably hold up providing you dont beat on it too much. But your sources are correct that you would want a Dana 60 for ultimate strength. There are a couple of different version, closed and open knuckle. I cant remember which is better. Im fairly certain you could look at both Chevy and Dodge front axles for donor Dana 60s as well as the only real difference might be the spring perch location.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 29
From: south east South Dakota
i have a factory 60 F250 4x4 with the factory closed knuckle dana 44. it is now running on 38.5 super swamper boggers and i have yet to have any problems. i dont treat it like its a dana 60 but it has never failed me. i do have a spare front axle and t-case so i probably beat it worse than i should. if you were going to up grade i would look at an open knuckle dana 44 just for parts availability. if money is no object, get on cl and find yourself a dana 60 out of a older ford. i think the first year dana 60 front axle in a ford was the 79 F350. get out your checkbook!
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 6
From: riverside ca
That's the issue I've run into it seems like there's a limited supply of them and everybody who has one wants more than I paid for my whole truck I've been leaning towards a hp 44 since I'm not planning on beating on it to bad mainly a pavement cruiser but will take it out and play I've been scouring junkyards I can find a newer one but you run into the spring pad issue I'm not capable of retubing it so I'm limited there as well
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 29
From: south east South Dakota
is your truck a 4x4 or are you making it into a 4x4? if its a factory 4x4 i think it will support the 37in tires. if your converting, i would go with a dana 44 out of a 77-79 and cut off the radius arm mounts and mounts for the coils. weld on the spring pads and away you go. your right about the early dana closed knuckle front axles, cheaper to buy the whole truck and take what you need. there is a good thread on the 48-56 side about a conversion from 2wd to 4wd.
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