D44HD Vs. D60
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From: Gallipolis, Ohio
D44HD Vs. D60
I found an old Ford, 70s model, not sure of the year, the guy wants $300 for the front and rear axles. The front looks, I believe,, to be a D44HD, closed knuckle axle. What is the strength compared to the D60 fronts? Or did the 60 have some closed knuckles as well?
Question is, will it hold up to 38 to 40 boggers and a 460?
Question is, will it hold up to 38 to 40 boggers and a 460?
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
I think the closed knuckle 44s are actually weaker than the 78/79 bronco d44. If thats what you're thinking about using it for its not worth the time to swap in, and might actualyl be worse.
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From: Springfield, VA
What Paul said. For what it's worth, on a mud bogger, I run a D44 with chromo shafts. It's the same strength as a stock d60 but less weight. Now of you got a chromod d60, then you've got something. Now if you are set on running 8lug, you can just swap out the outters from a open knuckle d44hd with your regular d44, get the chromo shafts, and have the best of both worlds... That is until you find a real 60 to build.....
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From: Gallipolis, Ohio
I currently have 37X12.5X16 Bogger tires mounted on 16 X10 rims, 5 on 5.5, Getting ready for the 16 lug axles. But I really don't want to put too much money in a D44 to beef it up when I am running 37 boggers. Unless the chromo shafts can handle them with a locked front end. My axles are now set with 3.50 gears and robs power trying to turn them. I am hoping the 460 I am putting in now helps a bit. But I just don't wanna build 2 sets of axles! I could put the half tons over on my 79 F150 when I am done I guess,,,,,,,,,,
What kind and size of tires are you running, Kjet? Just wanting to know what stress you are putting on your D44.
What kind and size of tires are you running, Kjet? Just wanting to know what stress you are putting on your D44.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Springfield, VA
I run 33's, 35's and 38.5 boggers on my 150 with a solid d44 and a 8.8. Granted its a 351w, but it is not stock by any means. I am in the process of building a 460 powered ranger that will have a chromod d44 with 3.73 and a LS up front and a chromod 9" out back with a spool and 4.10's. I will be running the same boggers and will also eventually run either AG or paddle tires on it as well. I know a few people that prefer the built 1/2 ton stuff as it is much lighter than the D60s for mud bogs and drags. Monsterbaby ran a D44/9" combo on his ranger with, I wanna say, was a 545ci big block and never had a problem with the axles and he ran 39.5 boggers and cuts. If its a purpose built mud bog only truck, stick with the 1/2 ton to save weight, if you plan on running it on the trails, go for the D60 an bigger.
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x2 what kjett said. and monster was only running 36s or 37s in the front with the 39 rear. a 545 sounds about right and incase you wonder how much power he was puttin threw those axles it was over 900hp n/a at about 8k rpms. his 44 shafts were stock until his 3rd season i think then he started breaking them. then he switched if im not mistaken.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Springfield, VA
Yep. I think he said all he did was change the joints every couple of races and never broke a stock shaft, but finally decided to switch to chromod shafts after a bad run and a breakage and was done with it. That was a bad truck! I'm gonna miss it, which is why I'm building my ranger very similar to the way his was.
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i wanted to buy that truck when he sold it.. if i wasnt in the situation i am now, had it been last year he sold it i would have that truck.. i know he sold the motor seperate but still that truck was nasty nasty.
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From: St George, SC I-95
Something should be mentioned....
if you are a straight line mud racer a D44(even stock) will probably be ok with 38-40" tires but forget about it offroad. The weakest link on a D44 (if the hubs dont snap first) is the ujoints.
The older 73-76 D44s have stronger axle tubes than the 77-79 but the closed knuckle design and low pinion brings the suck. Also...there is nothing HD about a D44HD except the brakes.
That is all.
if you are a straight line mud racer a D44(even stock) will probably be ok with 38-40" tires but forget about it offroad. The weakest link on a D44 (if the hubs dont snap first) is the ujoints.
The older 73-76 D44s have stronger axle tubes than the 77-79 but the closed knuckle design and low pinion brings the suck. Also...there is nothing HD about a D44HD except the brakes.
That is all.
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From: St George, SC I-95
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From: Gallipolis, Ohio
Sounds like some good luck out of the D44 then. I have heard alot of horror srories about running them with tires over 35. Especially Boggers.I may run trails, but the trails around here are just 4-wheeler paths with mud holes, nothing too extreme. I recently recieved the title for it, so a little pavement is possible as well.
I figured at around $800 or so for the chromo shafts, heavier joints, carrier, bearings, and ring and pinion so I didn't want to put too much money in it unless I had to. But I want to go with MINUMUM 4:86 gear, maybe 5:13 for both axles.
As far as power, a mild build with around 350 to 500 hp is what I would like.So as long as the shafts will handle the power,,,
I figured at around $800 or so for the chromo shafts, heavier joints, carrier, bearings, and ring and pinion so I didn't want to put too much money in it unless I had to. But I want to go with MINUMUM 4:86 gear, maybe 5:13 for both axles.
As far as power, a mild build with around 350 to 500 hp is what I would like.So as long as the shafts will handle the power,,,
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From: Gallipolis, Ohio
Something should be mentioned....
if you are a straight line mud racer a D44(even stock) will probably be ok with 38-40" tires but forget about it offroad. The weakest link on a D44 (if the hubs dont snap first) is the ujoints.
The older 73-76 D44s have stronger axle tubes than the 77-79 but the closed knuckle design and low pinion brings the suck. Also...there is nothing HD about a D44HD except the brakes.
That is all.
if you are a straight line mud racer a D44(even stock) will probably be ok with 38-40" tires but forget about it offroad. The weakest link on a D44 (if the hubs dont snap first) is the ujoints.
The older 73-76 D44s have stronger axle tubes than the 77-79 but the closed knuckle design and low pinion brings the suck. Also...there is nothing HD about a D44HD except the brakes.
That is all.
Food for thought! Thanks STG. Most of the time I'm in a straight line, but trails around here are pretty mild with some deep holes in them. Southern Ohio, there aren't really any big rocks to thrash on, just some trees layed over. Nothing too wild. I'm not planning on going any bigger than MAYBE 40s, but have on 37s now. I'll keep those till they wear out I suppose. But maybe stronger joints????
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for any kind of trail use i would not go with the 44 on a full size over a 36 not matter wht you do to it. monsterbaby was running a straight line in mud, you will not get that lucky. kjett and i were both speaking from a mud drag only point of view(correct me if im wrong karl). as soon as you turn with big tires and they catch something that wants to stop them the joints are gonna snap if you have any kind of power and massive tires.
