Two questions:
01) Does anyone know of a drum to disc conversion kit for the Dana 44HD closed knuckle (12 bolt) front end??

02) Is is even worth the effort and price?? Keep in mind, new drums are getting hard to find...

Thanks amigos

Baja

 

There is a place that does a disc brake kit for these axles I seen it before in a thread. But forget the name of it. Personally I don't think they are worth it. You can pick up a later model dent side axle fairly cheap and is bolt in. Just need to modify your drag link

 

Were the later models the Dana 44HD? I know that the standard 44 had discs, but I do not know if they even made them in the HD version..?? I too remember seeing it in a thread, but could not find it... probably better to just find some drums for my rig, and keep it stock... they work just fine, and I am not hauling much heavy stuff up and down mountains any more.. Retirement has its advantages that way...

Baja

 

Go with finding a set of drums. Since you don't necessarily need the discs. A new set of drums and pads will last awhile without needing replaced. And keeps it Simple and easy.

 

I installed the 8lug 1976 44DH 3500lb with outer hubs with my stock drag link that is like 16.3/8" long that is the standard until 77.5 that was the change over to high pinion.

I rolled out my closed knuckle 44 & rolled in the 44DH it all fit. Switched M/cyl. added new brake front lines and added a rear brake line pressure reducer for the disc brakes. Set toe in 3/16" Then, I was on the road again.

The f350 have the D60 is like 3,800lbs &, I think the f250 crew cabs is fitted with the stronger axles also.
orich

 

I'm on my 4th set of axles in my 71 f250. change them like they were underwear haha. The early year low pinion disc axles are a more direct swap like you said. The later high pinion do need modification to the drag link. Super easy some DOM tubing and 2 heims or TRE's and your set. Only year for F350 4x4 is 79 and all came with the Dana 60. 76-79 F250's could come with a 44 or 60 depending how you order from factory. 77.5-79 f250 sno fighter package had the d60 I've ran across a lot of the extended cabs with d60's but I've seen some still have the d44 under them.

 

Theirs a guy on youtbue that put disc brake set up on his closed axle of a Chevy with 8 lugs, I don't
have a link any more but he just had to change out the inner spindle bearing.
It was a clean look build when he finished it..
orich

 

76-77's would have the 3800lb D60 low pinion with disc brakes as I have a very late 76 CC with one (built 9/76 as verified by ND). This would be a good option as everything would fit with the shafts. I am debating on whether to move my 76 D60 LP from my CC Ranger XLT to my 70 CC Trans Alaska Pipeline System construction truck when I start tearing both down next summer.

 

Finding a d60 in the junk yard would be a real treasure for a 76-77 here in California of San Francesco Bay areas.

I have been keeping an eye open for any disc front axels an have come across maybe 6 at most in the last 10 yrs that, I've been looking for 44HD axle of hitting the JY here in the South Bay 3-4 times a month the last 10yrs with an interest of disc brake axles.

I came across one 44HD 76 with outer hubs and was not sure at the time what it was and, I felt my blood sugar being low and, I did not feel good so, I left it.
I went back about a month later to this same yard that is 30 mile away and it was still their. So bagged it and had to completely rebuild it plus switch gears with my 4:09's. So about $1300 later new or rebuilt. It was in.

I had a shop setup the gears for me for $240 Then $440 to swap out the whole front axles and load the old in the bed for me since my son has my cherry picker that is in Vegas 500 miles away. Plus having a bad back also kept me from tackling the axle swap out.

I have priced D44HD and their like $600-700 that need rebuilding or missing parts.
And a 4wd shops for a d44HD wants like $2000-2600 for a rebuilt one.

I did a lot of home work about what inter changes with what and build mind.

it now has the new HD axels u-joints stubs ends, new spindles, new outer o-ring warn hubs.

Any axle that has been siting around in some ones yard for a good number yrs in the snow or cold areas it will need a complete rebuild. Moisture causes rust damage. And most likely came from a junk yard so expect you'll need to rebuild any thing you buy from a private party.

Orich

 

Sounds to me, like switching to disc brakes is more hassle & cost, than its worth. I just finished rebuilding both sides, w/bearings, shims, polished knuclkes, u-joints, brakes complete, flex lines, wiper gaskets, and it all works like new for now. My front drums are NOT new, and finding new ones is like trying to baptise a cat... you are going to loose something in the process.

Baja

 

Yeah Baja, I did pissed away a lot time chasing parts & money rebuilding my d44 3000 axle drums axle. Had to replaced the axles with better used one as one was bent. Rebuilt the backing plates the works, new drums and all.

Got the disc axles in and tried selling the old d44 for parts.
I could not even sell any thing so gave it to a scrap metal man that sold it for pig iron weight. Oh well it's my toy got a have some place to **** away my money and enjoy doing it. You know old farts need something to keep their mines busy or it turns to Jell-0 mush then your lost! for good Right!

I added power booster to the drum d44 and they worked about 60% better
as, I was having a lot of trouble with my knee hurting for about 4 days after driving ol blue trying to get it stopped by just pushing on brake pedal

So the P/B really helped as it was not as painful applying the brakes and made driving it fun again.
So thought hell all that time, I was looking for a disc brake axles it's now or never. Plus it's easier to buy replacement parts still for the 76 disc axles.
Orich

 

2x on that one amigo, parts are hard to find now, and wait until we are OLD... wait a minute, anybody from the Vietnam era IS already old... My truck came with the power booster, so I have no problem with stopping. Just looking forward to a time, where the drums wear out, and day dreaming about an "EASY" fix... Such are the dreams of an old man, and I am resigned to it.. Not that I am getting 'filly-sofical' in my old age, just hooked on fonix, and have not been to re-hab... It 'd be a waste of time anyway.

The 44HD, 3500lb front end has rare drum to find.. 4x4 parts in Montana has some for $175.00 that they 'think' will fit... pricy chance on the maybe it will fit... and hauling it 1000 miles south to find out it doesn't, is not an option for me.. I need to know for sure..

baja

 

1976: First year that F100/250 4WD's were available with front disc brakes, 1959/75's were only available with front/rear drum brakes.

1979: First year that F350's were available with 4WD, have Dana 60 axles front and rear. The front axle has a 4,500 lb. capacity, the rear axle has a 5,300 lb. capacity.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ford only supplied the front drums with the hubs, front drums only were available from auto parts stores.

C9TZ-1102-C .. Hub & Drum Assy-Use with Dana 44 w/a 3,500 lb. Capacity / Obsolete

1969 F250 4WD from serial number F70,001 / 1970/75 F250 4WD

No Ford dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

 

Closed Knuckle Dana 44 & 60 8 lug front disc upgrade kit <hr style="color:#D1D1E1;background-color:#D1D1E1;" size="1"> Thats right.. We now have a front disc kit that can be put on your closed knuckle front 4x4 axle.

This kit will fir the Dana 44 and Dana 60 8 lug closed knuckle axles with slight modifications to your axle..

Customers would have to have the O.D. of thier hub turned down and mover their axle shock mounts in a little..
We also recommemned up grading to a bigger brake booster and master cylinder.

These 2 kits have been road tested for over 8 months now on 2 seperate trucks.

This kit utilizes a Dual piston caliper and a slide on rotor.
As always Blackbirds has free shipping to the lower 48 states.
at a cost of $535.00 to your door.

Front Differential brake kits

 

Yes sir, Mr. 4X4 Quad in Montana I'm sure has his parts all 14k gold plated, and his used parts must be 10k gold as those are pricey also.

Plus his nv4500 tranny manual he put together that, I fell victim to was some what helpful tho.

But hey having to keep all stuff stored out in his yard & barn for yrs. too come does increase the value of his stuff Right!

I Guess
Orich