is there any real difference between a dana 44 HD and a Dana 44. I have the axle shafts out of both and i can't see any difference. i was always under the impression that the only difference was it the outter ends. I've tried the search and it's tedious. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

wow two exact posts in the same day.
we were just discussing this in the off-road forum.
Am assuming this is for a solid axle and not a TTB?
Here is plenty of info on the differences between the 44 axles.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_2.htm

 

Ya know i didn't even think about the D44 HD TTB. Sorry i should have been more specific. The axles i'm dealing with are a D44 HD in a 77 f-250 with leafs. The other is a D44 in a 78 F-150. I've been trying to find a D60 for the front of the f-150 but have had little luck, so for now i'm doing a little bit of work to the D44. I know everyone say go with a 60 but 1. i can't find one for less that 1500 dollars and 2. i don't have the 1500 dollars right now. I have the outters for the HD and am goin to put them on the regular 44. Should have some pictures today as well.

 

Okay, I think i get it. I've seen that page before, just flipped right by it though. So my axle really isn't an HD as it's lost the outters and closed knuckle u-joints if i'm reading that correctly.

 

A 77HD is a heckofalot better of an axle than a 75 or older HD, that are drum brakes, closed knuckles and smaller u-joints (and are identical to the D60 of that era.) The biggest difference between a 76-77HD, and a 77.5-79 regular D44 is that the later models are high pinion.(and possibly thicker tubing??)

 

My main problem is that i'm using the coil springset up not the leaf so the actual axle is useless to me. I was curious as to wither or not the axles are any stronger and if they would go into the regular D44. I've found a few chrome-moly setups for the regular D44 and will probably go that route for now.

 

As long as the legnths are the same, they *should* fit, providing your closed knuckle will have room for the larger joints. Worst case, if they dont, you can sell the shafts to re-coupe your loss.