Will this Axle work?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Indiana Cornfields
Will this Axle work?
I have a 1980 F250 with the junky dana 44IFS. I recently found an old 1976 F250 parts truck. This truck has the full time 4WD. I assume the front axle is a dana44. My question is, will this axle work in my 1980? Also will I have to buy new lockers for this axle since it doesn't have them as it is full time 4WD?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 2
From: Billings Montana
Save your money and get a Dana 60 out of an 85.5-96 F-350. A Dana 60 of that era truck is a direct bolt in affair. The Dana 44HD in the 70's F-250 might not work because the spring perches are set a little wider out than your springs.
And lets face it, if you do make it work, it's still only a Dana 44. If you do any heavy offroading with big tires, you'll be walking home when the axle breaks on you.
And lets face it, if you do make it work, it's still only a Dana 44. If you do any heavy offroading with big tires, you'll be walking home when the axle breaks on you.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 5
From: Out of here
The spring perches are actually 4" narrower on the solid Dana 44. I am contemplating this same swap myself.
I can get a complete Dana 44HD for $125 as opposed to about $1000-1200 for a Dana 60. There is practically no strength difference between the IFS and straight axle D44, but it's much easier to lift.
Solid D44's are supposed to be ok with up to 37's depending on how easy you go on it. If I had the cash, I would do the D60..
I can get a complete Dana 44HD for $125 as opposed to about $1000-1200 for a Dana 60. There is practically no strength difference between the IFS and straight axle D44, but it's much easier to lift.
Solid D44's are supposed to be ok with up to 37's depending on how easy you go on it. If I had the cash, I would do the D60..
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Indiana Cornfields
Well I don't have the cash. And this is on my pulling truck. The reason that I would like the solid axle is because with a lot of these 4wd pulling trucks they like to bounce and I am afraid that I am going to break my IFS. I plan on using the IFS till it breaks, I was just curious if I would be able to use it or not.
