Hi All ,

some questions I need some opinions on for my '66 F250 4x4
street stock puller project ...

First concern -- is the stock Dana 44-6F front end up
to the challenge ?

The gear ratio is 4.56 , tranny is truck 4 spd .

Motor choices are , from least likely to most likely ...

351W w/Cleveland heads ( too much work for what it is worth )
351CJ ( gonna restore this one for my " collection " to be preserved .
FE ( 352 , 390 , 410 ) ... ( only FE on the farm ,
not many spare parts , but I have one in the truck ... )
400C ( I have a good cast Cleveland Cast block , lots of parts )
460 ( slighty warmed over ... still streetable ,
plenty of parts - just a big Cleveland :-) ( can ya tell I'm
kinda hooked on Clevelands ? :-) ).

Most people think the 44F will be strong enough for a starter
as long as I keep the wheels on the ground ( unlike my bogging
friends ) ....

Can a Dana 60 front axle be adapted to the '65/'66
steering without a big hassle ?

If the 44 is not a good start and the 60 front does not adapt
to the '66 steering , I could set my '66 2wd body parts on a
'78-'79 F350 chasis ... a real possibility ...

I have a '66 F250 4wd in good shape and 1 for parts .
I also have nice rust free 2wd '66 parts , so I can go
either way . I cann't afford both ways .


Using the '66 F250 with stock D44 in front would be the
easiest , and also the cheapest to start with
( a real concern for a married man w/ 3 kids ).

Will limited slip units be needed ?

Do I need to change the chassis height from stock '66 ?

My first thought is that the front drive shaft has too
much angle.
I can lower the rear by removing the stock lift blocks .
Lowering the front could be a problem . I'm thinking of using
90s style reverse bend springs
( not sure of the official term ) .

I have a 66 2wd 8' box I'd like to use.I'll need to move the
rear end back 9" to line the axle with the box wheelwell.
This will lessen the angle to the rear a tad .
This could allow me to move the transfer case back ,
thus reducing the front angle a bit although Moving the
transfer case may be more work than it is worth if I can
lower the front using the newer leaf springs .

I was told to update to Spicer HD joints w/o zerks for strength.

Thanks,done rambling for a moment.
I have too many parts and need to decide if I'm going with
an original '66 4wd or a '66 2wd body set on a '78/'79 F350 .

Thank You

dave Prasse
Freeport , Il

'66 Beige Beast 4x4

 

Dude, just pick the truck you most like to look at and go for it. If you have access to all these parts, just start with the weakest and work your way to the strongest parts you have. Don't forget to run the headers out the hood. It just wouldn't be a pulling truck without them.

RubberDuck

 

Hey Duck ,

Either truck will look the same , externally .

Guess I 'm looking for opinions on whether or not the Dana44
on the front of the '66 F250 will be strong enough for
pulling a sled with a built , not wild , 460 .

If it is , at least to get started , the'66 gets the nod .

If I start with the '66 & Dana 44 , Is there an easy way to upgrade to a Dana 60 ? How does the steering hook up ?

If the upgrade is tricky , then the 78/79 chasis gets the nod with my '66 2wd body parts .

Headers through my hood ?
Not legal in street stock .
I have a set for a Boss429 hhmmmm ...
wonder if the wife would allow 2 4wds
( but Dear , one is Street Stock and one is Super Stock )

dP

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 15-Aug-01 AT 06:30 PM (EST)[/font][p]For the most part, that Dana 44 is going to be weak. But I have a few friends that run them on their rock rigs, and they have withstood some serious beatings, and some have had nothing but twisted metal. Upgrading to the 60 is going to put a dent in your wallet, but will be worth it. As far as the steering, I have a 77 F250 CrewCab highboy with a Dana 60 front, and the steering is set up like this. I have the pitman arm that comes out under the drivers side fenderwell to a Bendix style drag link connected to the knuckle. That drag link has 4 powersteering hoses running to it, and two go to the steering assist on the axle itself. And one tie rod running from knuckle to knuckle. As a whole, my steering sucks. My idea of good steering is being able to push the truck sideways with the front tire, but thats just me. I'm seriously considering hydrolic steering. I have a buddy that's in the buisness. Anyway, I don't know if any of this will help, but good luck.

RubberDuck

 

Personally, I would go with the 4x4. The dana 44 is a good axle, but like anything mechanical, it will fail if pushed too hard. It can handle a 460, but if you use it hard off-road, you will be replacing u-joints axle shafts. However, if all you do is mild stuff (i.e. no 4 foot deep mud bogs or climbing over boulders) your frontend should be ok. I have daa 44 in my 68 and have had no problems with it. I would suggest swapping in disc brakes if you don't already have them. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!