79 front diff ?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: east dubuque, il.
79 front diff ?
Today at work we had a 79 f-250 4x4 came in with the front diff crapped out. The customer uses this truck to plow snow. I have a friend that has a possible donor front end. The front end on the plow truck has the open outer knuckles and the donor front has the enclosed knuckles. My boss says that the donor front is not a 79, but I know for a fact that the donor truck is a 79. Will these interchange and what years use the open front vs. the closed. The best solution to the situation would be to swap the whole front assembly. I did a search but could not find the info I need. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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I assume you didn't get the codes from the door or axle housings themselves?
what ratio ?
3.54's ?
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana60.htm
what ratio ?
3.54's ?
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana60.htm
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,192
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From: lino lakes, mn
Look at where the pinion comes in closed knuckle diffs for f250's were low pinion, a 79 has a high pinion. Closed knuckle will have drum brakes the last year f250's had a low pinion closed knuckle front axle was 1975
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
You will need to get either the tag from the front axle and/or the axle code off the VIN plate to be sure.
Both Dana 44's and Dana 60's were offered for 1979 F250 4X4's. Both were offered with either 3.54-1 or 4.10-1 ratios.
Dana 44: Section 30.5 / Parts List # 30.5P or 30.5Q or 30.5T
Dana 60: Section 30.5 / Parts List # 30.5AA or 30.5R or 30.5Z
Both Dana 44's and Dana 60's were offered for 1979 F250 4X4's. Both were offered with either 3.54-1 or 4.10-1 ratios.
Dana 44: Section 30.5 / Parts List # 30.5P or 30.5Q or 30.5T
Dana 60: Section 30.5 / Parts List # 30.5AA or 30.5R or 30.5Z
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Senior User
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From: east dubuque, il.
Turns out I was wrong, the front diff. in the donor is open knuckle. The casting numbers on the diff. are 44-96(not sure about the 6, it may be an 8) and 0385. I can't remember where I saw it, but someone had posted these #'s and now I can't find them back. I'm assuming this is the dana 44. The ring gear has a 45-11 stamped on it, which comes out to 4.09.
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Have the donor vehicle nearby? Post the axle code off the VIN plate/sticker.
Stamping on diff: 44.9F?
Stamping on diff: 44.9F?
Last edited by NumberDummy; Mar 10, 2007 at 03:05 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: east dubuque, il.
Just to update, the diffs are both the same. Got them switched out late today, but now I have a brake question. Will a single piston caliper work in place of the dual piston? There is $25 difference in the price for the caliper and pads for the single are $10. The customer only uses the truck for plowing snow and around his farm for odd jobs, so I would think that the single would be suitable.
