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front driveshaft angles?

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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 08:35 AM
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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
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 08:38 AM
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Try high angle driveline
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:15 AM
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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.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:27 AM
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Its not the length, its his pinion angle thats bad
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:27 AM
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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?
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:45 AM
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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?
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:52 AM
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The 91's do have a different spring pad width, i believe the axle is out of a 72 highboy.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 10:02 AM
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why not try and find a high pinion dana 44 out of a ford?
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 11:56 AM
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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
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 11:59 AM
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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
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 12:22 PM
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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?
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 12:54 PM
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We could try cutting and turning them my spare axle I have up north and and if it doesnt work you still have yours.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:13 PM
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Are all dana 44's from 76-79 HP or just certain ones.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:27 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 03:08 PM
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'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.
 
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