Dana 44 or upgrade?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2002
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Dana 44 or upgrade?
Is the Dana 44 front axle a fairly good axle, or would it be a good idea to look for a Dana 60? I am saving up some money to put in my truck, a 74 F-250, doing some work on the motor and bigger tires and such. I am shooting for around 400-500hp, and going to run around 38's.
I have very little experience in working with trucks, and I want to do everything right the first time ( don't want to fix stuff up and break other stuff). From what I have read in books and such is the Dana 44 isn't a good choice for high-performance heavy trucks. I thought I would ask the experts before I plunked down the coin for a Dana 60 front end.
Could the 44 be upgraded to be strong enough? Also what could I expect to pay for a Dana 60 front axle? I also have a 78 F-250 with what I think is a high pinion Dana 44 W/ disk brakes, would that be strong enough or is there very much difference between the two? Thanks for all the help.
Jake
I have very little experience in working with trucks, and I want to do everything right the first time ( don't want to fix stuff up and break other stuff). From what I have read in books and such is the Dana 44 isn't a good choice for high-performance heavy trucks. I thought I would ask the experts before I plunked down the coin for a Dana 60 front end.
Could the 44 be upgraded to be strong enough? Also what could I expect to pay for a Dana 60 front axle? I also have a 78 F-250 with what I think is a high pinion Dana 44 W/ disk brakes, would that be strong enough or is there very much difference between the two? Thanks for all the help.
Jake
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 57
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Dana 44 or upgrade?
I did a few searchs and read that the Dana 60 from 74-77 isn't much stronger than the 44 in my truck now. So I will start looking into finding a dana 60 from a 78-79, and see how much it would be to beef up my dana 44, then go from there.
Will the dana 60 from a 78-79 bolt directly into my truck or will some changes have to be made? Thanks for the help.
Jake
Will the dana 60 from a 78-79 bolt directly into my truck or will some changes have to be made? Thanks for the help.
Jake
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Dana 44 or upgrade?
FWIW: I did some looking on-line for a Dana 60 a few months back and they all run $1000+ not counting the shipping. If you mean big tires as in 35s, I think the Dana 44 would be okay, if you are talking 38s I would save for the Dana 60.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
Dana 44 or upgrade?
I have 35's on my 44 right now, but i'm wanting to go to around a 38 inch tire. I found a Dana 60 for 500.00 for a 74 truck but I am not sure if the 60 from that year is much better than a 44.
The Dana 60 from 74-77 just didn't have as many splines on the axles as the later ones, is that right? If so, I could but some new axle shafts and it would be pretty strong correct?
After alot of searching I also read that some people are running 40's on a 44 with no problems. I think my 44 is the closed knuckle version ( it has a what looks like a softball on the end of the tube ) would it be worth it to get new shafts for it? I am still very confused as to what I will do but am slowly getting it fiqured out.
Jake
The Dana 60 from 74-77 just didn't have as many splines on the axles as the later ones, is that right? If so, I could but some new axle shafts and it would be pretty strong correct?
After alot of searching I also read that some people are running 40's on a 44 with no problems. I think my 44 is the closed knuckle version ( it has a what looks like a softball on the end of the tube ) would it be worth it to get new shafts for it? I am still very confused as to what I will do but am slowly getting it fiqured out.
Jake
