Dana 44 HD
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Dana 44 HD
Hello, I tried the 67-79 trucks board with no reply's so I'll try here. I have a 72 F250 4X4 390ci. I have the closed knuckle 44 front axle. I have the opportunity to purchase a heavy duty 44 from a 76 F250 that the pinion gears were spun on for $75. It has disc brakes and has the open knuckle. Is this worth it? I know that it will need at least new ring/pinion and I will definetly put in a limited slip while I am in there. The truck will be running 35" Boggers in the mud as soon as I get to South Carolina next spring. I understand that a Dana 60 front would be ideal, but out of my price range. Also, how hard of a swap would this be? Thanks for the help.
Semper Fi
Matt
Semper Fi
Matt
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Dana 44 HD
By most accounts the tires will be doable but don't go bigger with this front end. I would do what you propose soley to upgrade to Disc brakes. It will be a straight bolt in swap. Good luck.
Eric
Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205, Dana 60 rear w/Detroit Locker
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20
Eric
Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205, Dana 60 rear w/Detroit Locker
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 385
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Dana 44 HD
yes, you will need a proprtioning valve. There are many aftermarket valves plus you could just get one from a 76 f-250. the rear will lock up way before the fronts if you don't. the reason is the drums take much less fluid pressure to lock up than the disc brakes. the valve acts a limiting factore for how much rear pressure is allowed to engage the drums while braking. Set up right any braking system should lock up all four wheels at the same time. I would just use the factory valve off of the '76 models. The master cylinder is the other concern. If you keep your existing one, then the residual pressure valve in the front circuit needs to be removed so that the discs will be allowed to retract fully. If you don't the pads will drag and wear out very fast.
Good luck.
Eric
Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205, Dana 60 rear w/Detroit Locker
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20
Good luck.
Eric
Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205, Dana 60 rear w/Detroit Locker
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Dana 44 HD
i know that you're closed knuckle isn't enough to satisfy, but don't buy the 76 Dana44 HD, my truck has one and it's a bit of an odd-ball, hard to find the right parts for. i ruined a drive axle in it a year ago and am still looking for a replacement to avoid spending $300 on a new one. meanwhile i've been running a standard dana44 and it's been working ok, except that it's bent and wears outer seals really fast.
76 f-250 4x4 400
76 f-250 4x4 400
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