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Old Aug 14, 2019 | 12:30 PM
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Front axle ID help


Looking to buy this front axle and was wondering if anyone could confirm it is a high opinion Dana 44. I'm up on the oil fields right now and the guy selling it said it came off a Ford truck from 76-79. These are the pics he sent. Any help would be great. Thank you.

 

Last edited by cooperstown24; Aug 14, 2019 at 12:40 PM. Reason: Added picture
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Old Aug 14, 2019 | 12:56 PM
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The side shot it looks like a high pinion D44 to me, with full time 4wd hubs. And NO duel piston calipers installed, factor that in when purchasing. Unless you can source a core trade in set from a JY?
 
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Old Aug 14, 2019 | 02:27 PM
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I concur with
@77&79F250

@77&79F250
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 10:39 AM
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Do you know any threads that walk me through the process of converting the full time 4x4to locking hubs? I plan on sand blasting everything and replacing all new parts Bual calipers are spendy but thats ok, I would rather upgrade what ever I can. Would this be a direct bolt on to my rig right now? I knowI woould have to get some parts which is fine I just very badly want to get rid of the closed knuckle dana 60 I have. thanks for the help.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 11:52 AM
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This Dana 44 axle is also a 3.54 ratio with open gears. Hope that's a match to your rear gears? If not, add in a gear set, kit and labor to the cost.

Dana 44's seem to be finally gaining traction in price. I've been selling them quickly for $400 local. Five years ago I struggled to get $250.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 01:29 PM
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Your 75 does have disk front brakes right? And does your truck have a NP-203 or a NP-205 transfer case? What is wrong with your closed knuckle axle... leaking or are you breaking stuff off roading it? Or want to put on a lift kit and the low pinion is limiting you?

Hub swap not that hard, there are places that sell full time to part time conversion kits.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by 77&79F250
The side shot it looks like a high pinion D44 to me, with full time 4wd hubs. And NO duel piston calipers installed, factor that in when purchasing. Unless you can source a core trade in set from a JY?
1976: First year F100/250 4WD's were available with disc brakes.

All 1976/79 F250 4WD's have dual piston caliper front disc brakes, makes no difference if it's a Dana 44 or 60.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 02:02 PM
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Yes thanks ND, but the OP's profile says his truck is a 75, so if it an early year made one then ok drums up front. But if its a late year made one, could it have disks? And if so, I asked because from what I understand going from all drum brakes and then changing to a newer axle with front disks may call for a change in the combination/proportional valve.

As far a me stating that it has NO duel piston calipers, that was to inform him that the axle he was asking about did NOT have them. And that is a cost that has to be taken into consideration IMO when purchasing a used axle. You have to source the parts somewhere. Meaning "loaded" or "complete" calipers, and they are not cheap.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 77&79F250
Yes thanks ND, but the OP's profile says his truck is a 75, so if it an early year made one then ok drums up front.

But if its a late year made one, could it have disks?
No.
1966/75 F250 4WD's have 12 1/8" x 2" front drum brakes, 12" x 2 1/2" rear drum brakes.

There's no such thing as an early or late 1975 F250 4WD .. If it's a '75, it has drums.

Sorry for the icons, I know you don't like icons, especially when I post them.

But sometimes they are necessary.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 77&79F250
Your 75 does have disk front brakes right? And does your truck have a NP-203 or a NP-205 transfer case? What is wrong with your closed knuckle axle... leaking or are you breaking stuff off roading it? Or want to put on a lift kit and the low pinion is limiting you?

Hub swap not that hard, there are places that sell full time to part time conversion kits.
Everything I have read about the maint and having a smooth drive with the front dana 60 closed knuckle, all seem to say it is garbage and the turning radius is not as good as if I went with a high pinion 44. My truck already has a 3" lift and 35s. I figured just from the user stand point and being able to work on it, would be esier to swap it out. Plus I can not put disc brakes on the front dana 60 closed knuckle. They dont make a kit for it. Although I have power brakes I trust the disc alot more that the drum.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by NumberDummy
1966/75 F250 4WD's have 12 1/8" x 2" front drum brakes, 12" x 2 1/2" rear drum brakes.

There's no such thing as an early or late 1975 F250 4WD .. If it's a '75, it has drums.

Sorry for the icons, I know you don't like icons, especially when I post them.

But sometimes they are necessary.
My truck is a 75 supercab but it was origionally a 2 wheel drive. PO converted to a 4x4. Has NP 205, front and rear dana 60's. Closed knuckle on the front. I cant put disc on the front unfortunatey
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 77&79F250
Your 75 does have disk front brakes right? And does your truck have a NP-203 or a NP-205 transfer case? What is wrong with your closed knuckle axle... leaking or are you breaking stuff off roading it? Or want to put on a lift kit and the low pinion is limiting you?

Hub swap not that hard, there are places that sell full time to part time conversion kits.
Drum brakes/ NP205.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 02:39 PM
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Ok got it, FYI I understand that when yo go from a 4 drums set up and add disks on the front a change in your proportional vale might be needed to get the brakes to work right.

NP-205 part time conversion kits...https://www.summitracing.com/int/sea...onversion-kits

Also order you some new front u bolts to fit the D44 tube, D60 tube is bigger. Also locate the 2 brackets that go below the axle and clamp the webbing area via the u bolts.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 77&79F250
Ok got it, FYI I understand that when yo go from a 4 drums set up and add disks on the front a change in your proportional valve will be needed to get the brakes to work right..
D5TZ-2B257-B .. Brake Pressure Differential Valve / Marked: D5TA-2B524-FA or FB / Obsolete

1975/79 F100/150 2WD/4WD & E100/150 / 1975/79 F250 2WD with single piston calipers / 1976/79 F250 4WD & Bronco / 1979 F350 4WD
 
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Old Aug 15, 2019 | 11:10 PM
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So the book calls for a different pro valve between all drums and drum/disk? I am sure the # posted is the one needed?
 
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