"Big ball" Dana 44
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From: Bonney Lake,WA USA
"Big ball" Dana 44
What year(s) did the "big ball" heavy duty Dana 44 front end come in? Are there still parts available? How much stronger are they over the smaller version. Any other info would be great. Thanks
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
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"Big ball" Dana 44
70
You are referring to the HD closed knuckle design correct? I have this same axle and If it is the same one you have, there are 12 bolts that attach the felt seal and backing plate to the knuckle as opposed to the 8 bolts on the light duty. As for what year they were offered, Im not wholly sure. I get conflicting stories myself so I will speak in generalities. ford made the switch to open knuckle frontends in 1972 on the F250's. Prior to 72, everything was closed. The smaller ball frontend is also a dana 44 like the big ball 44. I think is is the same as the HD44 vs light duty 44 open knuckle units. There probably isnt much of a difference; id say 3000 lb vs 3550 (for heavy duty) Someone had said that this particular unit came in the northland special 4x4? but I am not sure. Parts should be available. Any bearing seal house can X-reference and get the proper timkin bearings. All they would need is the number off the old one! Good Luck
regards
Ben
You are referring to the HD closed knuckle design correct? I have this same axle and If it is the same one you have, there are 12 bolts that attach the felt seal and backing plate to the knuckle as opposed to the 8 bolts on the light duty. As for what year they were offered, Im not wholly sure. I get conflicting stories myself so I will speak in generalities. ford made the switch to open knuckle frontends in 1972 on the F250's. Prior to 72, everything was closed. The smaller ball frontend is also a dana 44 like the big ball 44. I think is is the same as the HD44 vs light duty 44 open knuckle units. There probably isnt much of a difference; id say 3000 lb vs 3550 (for heavy duty) Someone had said that this particular unit came in the northland special 4x4? but I am not sure. Parts should be available. Any bearing seal house can X-reference and get the proper timkin bearings. All they would need is the number off the old one! Good Luck
regards
Ben
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"Big ball" Dana 44
NUT, you got it right, that was me.
they used the closed all the way thru 75 on the f250 4x4, 76 had the open style HD44. I am not quite sure on what years they produced the large ball but I know that 75 was the last year for it. the half tons I belive came out with the open style earlier than the 3/4 tons but I am not sure when for sure.
they used the closed all the way thru 75 on the f250 4x4, 76 had the open style HD44. I am not quite sure on what years they produced the large ball but I know that 75 was the last year for it. the half tons I belive came out with the open style earlier than the 3/4 tons but I am not sure when for sure.
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"Big ball" Dana 44
I still have the small ball 44 in the front of my 71'. I did pick up a big ball frontend. I thought it might be a nice stock upgrade. When I bought it, it was not under the origonal pickup. I am corious what years they came in in case I needed oddball parts for it. You know how some parts counter people are. Do you know if the centers (carriers) are interchangeable between the small and big ball? Axles I am guessing are a bit bigger. The thing is in really good shape so I am in no hurry to tear it apart. Thanks
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
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Posts: 378
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"Big ball" Dana 44
greg
I dont think that the carriers are the same because I have one all apart here and the axle shafts ARE bigger. As a matter of fact, Once you take the kingpin caps off, the bearings are like 3 times bigger! I almost died when I saw them. To think that there isnt more of a load carrying capacit difference! When you tear into it, you will see what I am talking about! THe reason I say the carriers are different is because the LARGER axle shafts fit through it. In short, everything is different! I wish I can find another large ball 44. They dont have any in the salvage yards here in jersey! Yes, I know how the parts guys are--they are like 'a what?' LOL Dont listen to what they say greg. When you get into it, you will see how ford over engineered this axle! The best of luck to you and if you need any more info, ill be happy to help you!
regards
BEn
I dont think that the carriers are the same because I have one all apart here and the axle shafts ARE bigger. As a matter of fact, Once you take the kingpin caps off, the bearings are like 3 times bigger! I almost died when I saw them. To think that there isnt more of a load carrying capacit difference! When you tear into it, you will see what I am talking about! THe reason I say the carriers are different is because the LARGER axle shafts fit through it. In short, everything is different! I wish I can find another large ball 44. They dont have any in the salvage yards here in jersey! Yes, I know how the parts guys are--they are like 'a what?' LOL Dont listen to what they say greg. When you get into it, you will see how ford over engineered this axle! The best of luck to you and if you need any more info, ill be happy to help you!
regards
BEn
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"Big ball" Dana 44
Billy
I think ford switched to the open knuckle on half tons in 1966. The bronco and F100 sported this new axle in the 66 model year. Personally, I prefer the closed design because every one that I saw has the conical roller bearings top and bottom. However, I do believe that ford made some with bronze bushings too(although I have yet to see one!) The only difference that I see in the open vs.closed is the turning radius. The closed doesnt afford you the luxury of making real tight turns whereas the open does! The downside to the closed is the oil leaks at the felt seal
IN addition, you have to keep an eye on the bolts that attach the brake backing plate assembly to the knuckle. They have a real propensity for loosening! I hope this helped!
regards
Ben
I think ford switched to the open knuckle on half tons in 1966. The bronco and F100 sported this new axle in the 66 model year. Personally, I prefer the closed design because every one that I saw has the conical roller bearings top and bottom. However, I do believe that ford made some with bronze bushings too(although I have yet to see one!) The only difference that I see in the open vs.closed is the turning radius. The closed doesnt afford you the luxury of making real tight turns whereas the open does! The downside to the closed is the oil leaks at the felt seal
IN addition, you have to keep an eye on the bolts that attach the brake backing plate assembly to the knuckle. They have a real propensity for loosening! I hope this helped!regards
Ben
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"Big ball" Dana 44
you got that right too Ben,
when I did a brake job on mine at least half the bolts that held the brake backing plate to the axle were gruond down so thin the heads were almost gone!
yeah you do have to check and fill them often but we all gotta check and add our oil every once in a while too! I check mine everytime I do an oil change and they only need a little.
your right also about the turning radius, it sucks!!!! its like driving a bus three times longer than the truck is! oh well I am used to it now. I cant wait till I get my 68 going with a front axle out of a 76 open nuckle with disc brakes it should be better I hope.
on those bronco axles that came out in 66, those were dana 30 axles.
in the full size pickup line with the dana 44 the closed nuckle lasted thru 75 I think at least thats when the disc brakes came out and I dont think any of the closed had disc brakes.
when I did a brake job on mine at least half the bolts that held the brake backing plate to the axle were gruond down so thin the heads were almost gone!
yeah you do have to check and fill them often but we all gotta check and add our oil every once in a while too! I check mine everytime I do an oil change and they only need a little.
your right also about the turning radius, it sucks!!!! its like driving a bus three times longer than the truck is! oh well I am used to it now. I cant wait till I get my 68 going with a front axle out of a 76 open nuckle with disc brakes it should be better I hope.
on those bronco axles that came out in 66, those were dana 30 axles.
in the full size pickup line with the dana 44 the closed nuckle lasted thru 75 I think at least thats when the disc brakes came out and I dont think any of the closed had disc brakes.
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From: Bonney Lake,WA USA
"Big ball" Dana 44
Thanks guys, for your help. I have never ran into the backing plate bolts coming lose on mine. Its still a small ball 44, maybe they don't have that problem. But at any rate I know now once my big ball is in there that I need to keep an eye on that.
As far as that "no" turning thing. I can agree with that 100%, especially with no power steering. I tell people it is kinda like turning a battle ship in the sand. Thanks
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
As far as that "no" turning thing. I can agree with that 100%, especially with no power steering. I tell people it is kinda like turning a battle ship in the sand. Thanks
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
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"Big ball" Dana 44
'gazer
dana 30 huh? I have a '66 F100 4x4 and I was wondering if my front axle was swapped. I have a 44 in it now and for some reason I didnt think It was stock. That kind of makes sense now; there should be a dana 30 in it! I wonder where I can get a 30 if that is what it calls for (originality) I want to keep it all stock you know?? As for that HD44 big ball unit, I wish I could find one here!
regards
Ben
dana 30 huh? I have a '66 F100 4x4 and I was wondering if my front axle was swapped. I have a 44 in it now and for some reason I didnt think It was stock. That kind of makes sense now; there should be a dana 30 in it! I wonder where I can get a 30 if that is what it calls for (originality) I want to keep it all stock you know?? As for that HD44 big ball unit, I wish I could find one here!
regards
Ben
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From: United States
"Big ball" Dana 44
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-12-03 AT 12:19 PM (EST)]Ben,
the dana 30 I was refering to was for the broncos (the little ones)66-75 that had open nuckle axles. the reason I say that is you mentioned that the bronco came out in 66 with the open style, it did but it was a diffrent axle than the full size trucks.
EDIT: hmm, I may be in error... the 66 bronco may very well had a 44.
can someone confirm this for me please? I just looked it up and discovered that the 75 broncos had 44's but I was under the impression that the early ones had d30's.
the dana 30 I was refering to was for the broncos (the little ones)66-75 that had open nuckle axles. the reason I say that is you mentioned that the bronco came out in 66 with the open style, it did but it was a diffrent axle than the full size trucks.
EDIT: hmm, I may be in error... the 66 bronco may very well had a 44.
can someone confirm this for me please? I just looked it up and discovered that the 75 broncos had 44's but I was under the impression that the early ones had d30's.
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From: Bonney Lake,WA USA
"Big ball" Dana 44
Ad Information
Category: Engines, Transmissions, Axles and Differentials
Subcategories: Axles and Differentials
This was in the classified section but it is from a bronco. Its not mine. There is also a big ball 44 for sale in there to. I will try to find it, not sure if it is still avialable. Greg
Price cheap
Manufacturer Dana
Model 30
Year 69
Description
Front dana 30 from a 1969 bronco for sale. Complete with old JC Penny manual hubs that still work great. No bearing or gear problems. 4.11 Ring & pinion.
Contact Information
Contact: Ryan Slaybaugh
Location: Dayton, Ohio 45410
USA
Telephone:
E-Mail: moose4130(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Web Site:
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
Category: Engines, Transmissions, Axles and Differentials
Subcategories: Axles and Differentials
This was in the classified section but it is from a bronco. Its not mine. There is also a big ball 44 for sale in there to. I will try to find it, not sure if it is still avialable. Greg
Price cheap
Manufacturer Dana
Model 30
Year 69
Description
Front dana 30 from a 1969 bronco for sale. Complete with old JC Penny manual hubs that still work great. No bearing or gear problems. 4.11 Ring & pinion.
Contact Information
Contact: Ryan Slaybaugh
Location: Dayton, Ohio 45410
USA
Telephone:
E-Mail: moose4130(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Web Site:
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
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"Big ball" Dana 44
Ad Information
Category: 1961 - 1979 F-Series
Subcategories: Vehicles
Drive Train/Engine
Price See below
Manufacturer Ford
Model F-250 4x4
Description
I have a HD D44 front axle. This is the Big Closed Knuckle with large external hubs. 4.10 gears, low pinion, drum brakes. Removed from 1973 F-250 4x4 for swaping in a D60 with discs.
$200 I will not Ship.
I also have two '78/'79 F-250 4x4 power steering boxes. I have NOT run either one. I was going to convert to this style box but I have decided to find an origanal style ram assist.
$100 Each/ 'As-Is'
Contact Information
Contact: Eric Thompson
Location: Alameda, California 94501
Telephone:
E-Mail: ekthompson at earthlink.net
Web Site:
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
Category: 1961 - 1979 F-Series
Subcategories: Vehicles
Drive Train/Engine
Price See below
Manufacturer Ford
Model F-250 4x4
Description
I have a HD D44 front axle. This is the Big Closed Knuckle with large external hubs. 4.10 gears, low pinion, drum brakes. Removed from 1973 F-250 4x4 for swaping in a D60 with discs.
$200 I will not Ship.
I also have two '78/'79 F-250 4x4 power steering boxes. I have NOT run either one. I was going to convert to this style box but I have decided to find an origanal style ram assist.
$100 Each/ 'As-Is'
Contact Information
Contact: Eric Thompson
Location: Alameda, California 94501
Telephone:
E-Mail: ekthompson at earthlink.net
Web Site:
Greg
71' F250,4X4 460ci-NP435
43 ****** MB204109 289ci
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From: Columbia, Illinois
"Big ball" Dana 44
Here is my 2 cents. As far as I know, the dana 44 closed knuckle in the F250 was retained until 1976, with the advent of disk brakes. This also brought in the use of Ball joints vs. king pins w/ bearings. One person posted that he preferred the closed knuckle because of the tapered roller bearings. My 66 Bronco has a open knuckle Dana 30 and it has the king pins with the tapered bearings. Bronco till 70 1/2 had a dana 30, after that it was a 44, just to set record straight.
Mike
66 Bronco
00 F150 Supercab
Mike
66 Bronco
00 F150 Supercab
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