I have a 79 bronco that I installed a 9.5:1 460 in I am currently running a c6 but I migh install my np435 transmission in it later, I currently have a 4 inch lift and 35" tires, I want to go to 36-38" tires,4.56 gears and a superlift 6" lift . I currently I have a rear detrit locker and am planning on installing a front locker as well, I am worried about the limits of the axles though. I do a lot of driving in deep snow and mud. I am wondering if the dana 44 will handle the tires and power or if I should go find a Dana 60? If I should use a 60 what years were better? If I switch the front out I will switch in a rear as well. thanks for the help. Jared.

 

A 79 Dana 60 is the best .It has more room to weld c-brackets on. I have a 79 Bronco that I put a Dana 60 front,70 rear,T18 4sp in. All of this came off a 79 f350 4x4. If you need help just ask.

 

It'd be alright for the street, but if you see a lot of snow and mud i'd say it's questionable if a 44 will hold up. It's basically a grey area, it might and it might not. I'd say just find a 78-79 hp60, but they're not exactly easy to find....but it'd be the best bet to be sure.

 

With 38" tires a D44 has a better chance of survival with an open carrier.
With a locker and stock front shafts, you can count on a failure at some point or another, this depends on driving style.
If you upgrade to a D60 front, the desireable unit comes from the late 70's F250's with open knuckles, disc brakes, and 35 spline inner shafts.
You will also keep in mind that the front axle will have an 8 lug wheels pattern, so new wheels at minunimum will be in order.
If you decide to install a larger rear axle, you may want to consider something larger than a D60 back there. While the ring and pinion are larger, the axle shafts are a little on the small side, and are also known for breakage after a locker is installed.
Cosider a D70, Visteon/Sterling 10.25, or 14 bolt., all Full Floaters.
These will be a bullet proof solution, all of which having axle shafts at 1.5" in diameter, and very large rings and pinions.
For Bronco, (short wheelbase) the 14B might be a better choice. The 14 B has the shortest pinion of alll of the axles and will help with pinion angle. With this short of a wheelbase, you will want all of the help with driveline angle as you can get.

 

I have a dana 70 laying around but I was under the impression that lockers were hard to come by for them. I plan on changing out rims and tires after the axles are selected,built and installed, so it really doesent matter what I end up deciding on as far as that goes. If I upgrade the axles to moser axles in the 44 what would be the next weak link? the ball joints or the gears? I think I will just have to look for a 60 front. How much shorter is the pinion on the 14 bolt than the D70? thanks again.

 

D70 lockers are just expensive, but they are all over the place. This axle is going to have huge shafts, and unless you have a D70 'U" you will be alright. There is one D70 that is not very desireable due to the small bearings and tiny pinion.
Aftermarket axles in the 44 will be a decent alternative and a reasonable upgrade, especially with a front locker. General rule of thumb is that a chro-mo 44 is about the same strength as a stock D60. The exception is the diameter of the ring gears and the pinion.
Some guys get smaller axles to survive, and some break them with regularity. Just depends on application and driving style.
Gotta consider the posibility of breaking a chro-mo 44 after you spend a bunch of money in it, and finding out that a larger axle was what you should have bought in the first place. I am not saying that you have to run out and buy a bigger axle, I am only suggesting that with a chro0mo 44, you are at the end, and if you do break it, you have few options to make it stronger. You may never reach this threshold, but if you do, the larger axle has options to make it even better. Gotta be ine bad dude to break a chro-mo 60 (front).
I will have to lok up the pinion difference in the 14B. It is the shortest of the large axles and it is enough to make a difference in a short wheelbase truck. Oh yeah lockers, and traction aid in general is super cheap for a 14B. Som even had them from the factory. 4.56 gears too.

 

I am having trouble finding the exact demension of the pinion for the 14B, but it is higher than a standard 9" which is higher than a Dana. I recall about 2" difference. That is a bunch when we are talking about driveline angles.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the 14B is the larger case, and some refer tothem as "rock magnets". These are very easily shaved, and if you take two inches off of the bottom, can be equal to the same clearance as a 9" with equal sized tires.
Here is a little reading. These have become so popular that even the desert guys are starting to run them.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ble/index.html

 

I have a Currie 9"/44 w/ Chrome Moly shafts... no problems on mine, but I'm only putting 500 horses to it with 38s

 

What would a dana 70 U axle come in? the one I have is out of a mid 70's 1 ton van that had a big block in it.

 

Mine came from a '85 4x4.

 

The list goes on and on.
D70 in a van huh? Wasn't the diff offset in that? I believe it was. That compound angle for the shaft is gonna be interesting with such a short driveline.

You do know how to look up the BOM from the axle tube right?

 

not off hand, I only know where the tag is on the axles, this one is so coated in grime I might have to take it off to read it. the webbing by the pinion says 70 though.

 

A little more reading. Not all 70's are created equal, and there will be some work involved just figuring out what you actually have.
Hope these help a little.
Once you find the BOM, the second link will clear everytning up.

http://cj7jeep.com/info/axle/dana70.html

http://www2.dana.com/expert/wc.dll?cvsp~deabill~2~

 

D44 with chrmoly shafts and spicer U joints is just as strong as a D60, cheaper and lighter to boot.

 

Im not sure Id agree with that.