Notices
Offroad & 4x4
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

front driveshaft angles?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 08:35 AM
  #1  
piperig78's Avatar
piperig78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Appleton, WI
front driveshaft angles?

I have a '78 F-150 with leaf spring conversion in the front and with a married trany, and transfer case the stock front drive shaft was not near were it needed to be. I tried a '78 bronco driveshaft with CV joint and with some grinding it worked for my last trip of the year with limiter straps on the front axle. But for the new year I need to have full suspension and not worry about blowing my driveshaft apart. Any Ideas to fix this or places to buy high axle driveshafts?
Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 08:38 AM
  #2  
highboy390fe's Avatar
highboy390fe
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Try high angle driveline
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:15 AM
  #3  
Flareside94's Avatar
Flareside94
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I don't think he necessarily needs a HAD quite yet. Even Jess himself will tell you you don't need one if you just call and try to order one. This sounds like you just need your current one rebuilt and lengthened? Do you have a local shop that can do that for you? Go talk to them, they should be able to rebuild the shaft's CV (or you could for cheaper) as well as cut, lengthen, and rebalance your shaft for much less then one of Jess's drivelines cost. But his shafts ARE worth it.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:27 AM
  #4  
highboy390fe's Avatar
highboy390fe
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Its not the length, its his pinion angle thats bad
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:27 AM
  #5  
piperig78's Avatar
piperig78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Appleton, WI
Oh sorry i forget to mention it has about 12 inchs of lift on the truck with a low pinion axle, and and i can't find any high pinion axles for it unless 1991 dana 60 is the same spring pad width? anyone know. other wise anyone know how much a high angle driveshaft will cost me roughly?
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:45 AM
  #6  
Flareside94's Avatar
Flareside94
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
What are the axles out of?

The 91 axles are like...~4" wider I think on spring spacing, but don't quote me on that. You CAN make one work, but it takes some fabbing and such. Best to go to a coil/rad arm setup if you go that route. But, if you are able to get a 91 D60 for a good price then I'd do it. That'd be a kingpin D60 too.

How did the 78 truck get a low pinion axle?
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:52 AM
  #7  
highboy390fe's Avatar
highboy390fe
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
The 91's do have a different spring pad width, i believe the axle is out of a 72 highboy.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 10:02 AM
  #8  
KubotaOrange76's Avatar
KubotaOrange76
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,189
Likes: 2,656
From: GA
why not try and find a high pinion dana 44 out of a ford?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 11:56 AM
  #9  
piperig78's Avatar
piperig78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Appleton, WI
The truck has a leaf spring front suspension it was a F-150 now with 73 F-250 springs and a low pinion Dana 44 HD. The 91 axle is out of an F-350. And is there a dana 44 Hd that is high pinion? I don't want to change the spring mount width again because how the truck is setup for leafs its not gonna change very easy
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 11:59 AM
  #10  
piperig78's Avatar
piperig78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Appleton, WI
If there is a High pinion 44 HD are the spring widths right?, I would buy a 78-79 D60 but I'd have to save until I'm to old to get up in the truck
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 12:22 PM
  #11  
Flareside94's Avatar
Flareside94
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Find a 76-79 3/4 ton D44. It isn't called a HD, but it has 1/2" tubes and is leaf sprung, 8 lug outers, 1-ton lockouts (I thinK?), bigger/beefier wheel bearings. You'll also pick up strength by going to the HP setup which drives the front ring gear on the drive side.

What size tires do you have on it? Honestly, that's the way to go if you don't go D60. But, if you can afford that 91 D60 then get it and force it underneath your truck. That is a damn good axle to have under there.

On FSB there was a guy selling a pair of D60's (front and rear) for like...1200 bucks paired together. Don't know if he still has them.

I almost wonder if one could cut the spring perches and turn them a few degrees. I know you'll run into caster/camber issues, but if you only go a few degrees then it will still be within adjustment, not excessive turning which you have to turn the C's as Ivan had to do. Any input from others on this?
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 12:54 PM
  #12  
highboy390fe's Avatar
highboy390fe
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
We could try cutting and turning them my spare axle I have up north and and if it doesnt work you still have yours.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:13 PM
  #13  
highboy390fe's Avatar
highboy390fe
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Are all dana 44's from 76-79 HP or just certain ones.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:27 PM
  #14  
Flareside94's Avatar
Flareside94
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I was not aware that any D44's in the 70's were even low pinion. I thought the only low pinion axles in the 70's were D60's before 78. But I'm pretty sure that all D44's from at least 76 on are high pinion, even the 3/4 ton 44's. A D44 from 77.5 and earlier F150's could also be converted for use with leaf springs. These have removable spring buckets. 77.5-79 have them cast in and you DO NOT want to mess with removing anything from them.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 03:08 PM
  #15  
ramboss429's Avatar
ramboss429
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
'75 was the last year of the LP 44s in 3/4 ton applications. I know cuz I have one and I also have the driveline angle problem. I am going to get a different axle in my truck ASAP to solve the problem.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:54 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE