disc brake matchup
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Bridger Mtns, Montana
disc brake matchup
Anybody ever done the front disc brake swap on a Dana 44? I'm attempting to do it on my '68 F250 4x4 (Dana 44 w/8-lug hubs) very soon. Any input and/or advice would be most appreciated!
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Magnolia,TX
disc brake matchup
I posted this in a earlyer question.
these are the only options I know of. Just depends on what you want to spend. hope this helps
For the front the easyist way is to replace the front axel with a disc brake model. If that is not what you want to do then the other way I have heard is to get front disc and stub shaft parts from a mid 70's ch*vy 3/4 ton. The disc backing/mounting plate, rotor assembly, calipers, spindels and the outer axel shaft all from the doner front end. The GM spindels are held on by 6 bolts as is the drum spindles(dana family related). For the rear you can get the same rotors as the fronts without the hubs and install them on the rear hubs. Then use cadilac eldorado rear calipers from around 85-87 I think. These will have the emergency brake cable capabilities. Then you will have to make your own caliper mounting plate out of 3/8 steel. This web site will explain the rears better http://mopar.rockcrawler.com/brakes.htm. hope this helps. I had a 74 F250 that I was going to do this on but had to get rid of the truck unexpectatly.
these are the only options I know of. Just depends on what you want to spend. hope this helps
For the front the easyist way is to replace the front axel with a disc brake model. If that is not what you want to do then the other way I have heard is to get front disc and stub shaft parts from a mid 70's ch*vy 3/4 ton. The disc backing/mounting plate, rotor assembly, calipers, spindels and the outer axel shaft all from the doner front end. The GM spindels are held on by 6 bolts as is the drum spindles(dana family related). For the rear you can get the same rotors as the fronts without the hubs and install them on the rear hubs. Then use cadilac eldorado rear calipers from around 85-87 I think. These will have the emergency brake cable capabilities. Then you will have to make your own caliper mounting plate out of 3/8 steel. This web site will explain the rears better http://mopar.rockcrawler.com/brakes.htm. hope this helps. I had a 74 F250 that I was going to do this on but had to get rid of the truck unexpectatly.
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From: Bridger Mtns, Montana
disc brake matchup
I'm opting to do it with Chebby parts as opposed to a complete axle swap. I've looked for a used axle, but nothing heavier than a Dana 30 or 10-bolt GM has been available near me. Besides, a new axle is way too expensive. The Bronco crowd seems to have a good reputation for this swap and it's both easy and CHEAP! The only thing that bothers me is the 8-lug hubs on my truck. I was going to use the rotors/hubs from a '76-'79 F250 with dics since they *supposedly* have the same bolt pattern. I have yet to check that out for sure and haven't found anything conclusive if this will work or not during my search. I just figured as long as it says 'Dana 44' on it, regardless of the vehicle, it should work, right?!? Everything else, as far as I can tell, is good to go.
I was trying to get some better insight on this from anyone that has done it rather than fumble around at the parts stores for a month trying to get something to fit and/or giving up altogether because nothing will fit.
I was trying to get some better insight on this from anyone that has done it rather than fumble around at the parts stores for a month trying to get something to fit and/or giving up altogether because nothing will fit.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 170
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From: Magnolia,TX
disc brake matchup
I researched it for a couple of months till I got rid of the truck. The gm parts swap came from a bronco site. From what I remember there is no easy way to use ford parts for the swap, it strickly needs to be the gm parts from a 3/4 front axel. The dana 44 that ford was using only had 5 bolts to retain the spindle, where as the gm used 6 the same as the drum brake front end on the trucks and broncos. Try doing a search on the web for a 8 lug swap. If ya take the time you should be able to get all the info you need to do the swap at one shot. Good luck
if you end up doing the swap make sure you take good notes so you can do a tech article on it.
Jack
if you end up doing the swap make sure you take good notes so you can do a tech article on it.
Jack
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Bridger Mtns, Montana
disc brake matchup
Thanks for the input. The chebby parts for the swap was the cheapest, cleanest, and most straight-forward I could find. When I'm rambling about trying to get this together, I'll make sure I write it all down... IF it works. As I said before, if it was on a Dana 44 to begin with, it *should* work somehow (or if you say it enough it sounds like it should). If not, the GM brake parts are easy to get rid of.
