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Just purchased the 72 F-250 and one of the first projects is to upgrade to disk brakes. I have been looking at the Rear disk brake conversion kits for my rear DANA 60 (4:10) but would also like to do front.
Front diff is currently DANA 446F with closed knuckle steering.
I have it in my head the easiest for the front end is to upgrade the entire differential and have an open knuckle type steering...Can anyone let me know the best fit year Axle so I can begin my search. Preferably looking for diff that will drop in without huge modifications.
Thoughts on replacing the rear diff? Or just go with the brake upgrade kit?
I feel the high pinion 78 or 79 dana 44 axle is your bolt in option. That is what I got for mine. Plan on doing an entire refresh on the axle. New bearings, rotors, calipers, seals, hubs and possible carrier seals too. These parts are all past there prime at this point. The other option is a front and rear out of a newer ford f250 or f350 with leaf springs. I did see a guy that swapped in super duty axles from a 2003 I believe. Just some options to look at.
The only issue is they are High Pinion. If you keep your stock transfer case you will need to fix the pinion angle if you want to drive fast in 4H.
I put a 1979 D44 High Pinion in my 67. Direct drop in. I am fixing the pinion angle problem with modern drive line...
F-250s up to 1997 had a Twin Traction Beam Dana 50. Not drop in. F-350s up to 1997 had straight Dana 60. Spring perches would be off a bit, but can redo.
Super Duty (beginning in 1999, no 250/350 in 1998) can swap in with hangar relocation. One thing to keep in mind is the Super Duty axles have a metric bolt pattern for wheel. Only an issue if you already have rims you are in love with. Otherwise the metric rims open up a whole world of modern options.
I wouldn't bother with rear disc, unless it came on a Super Duty axle. Front does something like 75% of the stopping anyway... Getting the E brake to work with some of the disc call conversions can be challenging. I need a e brake with manual trans.
Thanks guys. Gives me starting point and some options to consider.
the newer superduty axles seem like the better choice but I am a bit worried on the overall stance and if they will move tires out to far as Im sure they are longer.
The only issue is they are High Pinion. If you keep your stock transfer case you will need to fix the pinion angle if you want to drive fast in 4H.
I put a 1979 D44 High Pinion in my 67. Direct drop in. I am fixing the pinion angle problem with modern drive line...
F-250s up to 1997 had a Twin Traction Beam Dana 50. Not drop in. F-350s up to 1997 had straight Dana 60. Spring perches would be off a bit, but can redo.
Super Duty (beginning in 1999, no 250/350 in 1998) can swap in with hangar relocation. One thing to keep in mind is the Super Duty axles have a metric bolt pattern for wheel. Only an issue if you already have rims you are in love with. Otherwise the metric rims open up a whole world of modern options.
I wouldn't bother with rear disc, unless it came on a Super Duty axle. Front does something like 75% of the stopping anyway... Getting the E brake to work with some of the disc call conversions can be challenging. I need a e brake with manual trans.
Don't forget the 77.5-79 Dana 60, the Snowfighter option. The 1980's to 1998 F-350's Dana 60's (Yes, 1998 F-250/350's were produced until Job 1, January 5, 1998, the start of Super Duties) have problems with the spring mount on the short side, IIRC, for fitting into 67-79 F-250/79 F-350. For Super Duty axles, look at the Battle Born Brake kits for 2005+ SD coil axles conversions: https://www.battlebornbrakes.com/for...s-73-79?page=2
That was a pretty good link on the axles. Had to drag that one over to the desk top. Would the 85-1991.5 dana 60 front axle be a lot wider than the 72 factory dana 44s. I like the factory look of the trucks.
I believe that the 80+ axles are slightly wider that the 67-79 axles, but it is the frame widths that are very different. The 80+ frames are much wider so there is not much room on the short side for a spring pad. SD front axles have the left spring pad on the differential so retubing them is problematic. Using 80+ front axles in -79 trucks means having to mount the axles outboard of the frame, which means having to fab a huge reinforced crossmember and spring mounts able to take the stress of turning and carrying the heavy weight of the engine. Most normally leaf springs are mounted under the frame where rigidity of the frame is used for strength.
As someone who has done it don't use the newer axles. I have outboarded my hangers and used axles from the early 90's to get a D60 in the front. Lot's of work and I had to lift the truck a few inches to do it.
Discs in the rear will not be much improvement for the money, if any.
What is the goal, intended purpose?
Superduty axles are better in every way than the old stuff, readily available, relatively cheap. shouldn't need complete rebuilt like 40+ yr old stuff. but as tumbleweed has said more work involved in swap.
If your not going to wheel it, a d60 is of little benifit. Find a disc 44 and pour money in it. Then hydroboost if not enough.
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