Complete front axle swap
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Complete front axle swap
hey everyone I just bought a 1975 Ford F-250 Crew cab/ it has the Dana 60 with 4.11 gears and it is the KING PIN set up with drum brakes. Could anyone please tell me what if any complete front axles I could bolt right on and have no problem with? I would like to have disc breaks and it’s not much more expensive to just go down to our local bone yard and pick up a complete axle with everything on it rather than do the disc break conversion. Plus the front axle I have now looks pretty beat up and would like something a little better. Thank you everyone
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2017
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From: Maysville, Ky
1976 and early 77 F250 4X4's. (AKA Highboy) Also late 77 thru 79 F250/F350 4X4's. The 76/early 77 axles are low pinion Dana 44 or Dana 44 HD. The late 77 thru 79 are high pinion Dana 44's, although some F350's in 79 came with a Dana 60. The 79 Dana 60's are pretty hard to find and not cheep when you do find one. Any of these axles would be a direct swap, but you would lose some capacity switching the 60 to a 44.
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Junior User
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Thanks mark
I appreciate it. I will have to have the Dana 60 I think.it has a 6inch lift and 38s..I already upgraded all the yokes and u joints to handle the torque a little better .I was driving it the other day and I believe the bearing in the front diff went out..it was clanking so bad ..I could still kreep it 29mph to atleast get it home. I might just remove it..sand blast everything and rebuild it...thank you for your time..
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
A late model 77 to 79 F250 high pinion with front disk brakes D44 will easier and cheaper to find than a Dana 60. Dane 60 runs 1000 to 1200 to 1500.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696854
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696854
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
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If you can do it yourself, a disk brake swap and rebuild on that d60 will cost, at most, 50% more then a used d44 of unknown condition, but you'll end up with a stronger axle you won't have to think about again. 38s are around where a d44 becomes questionable on strength, if you plan to off road it, I wouldn't use anything smaller then a d60.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 896
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From: Bothell
Is there anything wrong with your current axle other than the fact that it’s drum brakes?
you should be able to do a disc conversion with stock for parts or look around on the web for a disc upgrade kit. Several company’s make kits that will run a 13-14” rotor and modern calipers.
you should be able to do a disc conversion with stock for parts or look around on the web for a disc upgrade kit. Several company’s make kits that will run a 13-14” rotor and modern calipers.
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If you can do it yourself, a disk brake swap and rebuild on that d60 will cost, at most, 50% more then a used d44 of unknown condition, but you'll end up with a stronger axle you won't have to think about again. 38s are around where a d44 becomes questionable on strength, if you plan to off road it, I wouldn't use anything smaller then a d60.
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one just posted today. it is from a 1975 f-350 dually. This should fit my 75 f250 correct? I talked to the guy and he said it has a dana 60 with open knuckles, man this would solve a huge problem for me if it will fit. Thanks everyone
Last edited by cooperstown24; Jan 6, 2019 at 07:36 PM. Reason: wrong information
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Junior User
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Do you know if a Dana 44hd out of a 1975 f350 dually would be a direct fit to replace the dana 60 closed knuckle I currently have in my 1975 F250? I can upgrade the gears and u joints if it fits. I can’t find a 60 anywhere and this 44 HD just listed for sale. Any help would be great. The f350 axle has “44 6CF” stamped on it. Everything I have found says it is the 44 HD, whI have would make sense becaus it is on a 350 dually
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Do you know if a Dana 44hd out of a 1975 F350 
dually would be a direct fit to replace the dana 60 closed knuckle I currently have in my 1975 F250?
I can upgrade the gears and u joints if it fits. I can’t find a 60 anywhere and this 44 HD just listed for sale.
The F350 axle has “44 6CF” 
stamped on it. Everything I've found 
says it's a 44HD
dually would be a direct fit to replace the dana 60 closed knuckle I currently have in my 1975 F250?I can upgrade the gears and u joints if it fits. I can’t find a 60 anywhere and this 44 HD just listed for sale.
The F350
axle has “44 6CF” stamped on it. Everything I've found says it's a 44HDYou haven't found very much, because...
1979 was the first year that F350's were available with factory installed 4WD .. All 1953/78 F350's with 4WD are aftermarket conversions.
ALL 1979 F350 4WD's have Dana 60's front & rear.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2017
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From: Maysville, Ky
44CF means it's a Closed Front axle. Same as the 60 that's in your truck now, which would mean drum brakes. First year for open knuckle (ball joint) with disk brakes is 76. You wouldn't gain anything by swapping the 44CF for your 60CF except for a smaller ring and pinion/ carrier. Pass on that one.
Mark.
Mark.
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Junior User
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It has disc brakes and is an open axle. I just left from looking at it. Every internet search leads to a 44hd. There is no way they cut the ***** of the axle and converted it to open, none of the research has led me to CF meaning closed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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44CF means it's a Closed Front axle. Same as the 60 that's in your truck now, which would mean drum brakes. First year for open knuckle (ball joint) with disk brakes is 76. You wouldn't gain anything by swapping the 44CF for your 60CF except for a smaller ring and pinion/ carrier. Pass on that one.
Mark.
Mark.
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 72
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From: iowa
I My dad bot 75 3/4 new they are drum brake my brother bot a 76 3/4 new they are disc brake.