My F250 4x4 has the Dana 44 axle, with the large external hubs.

I believe this makes it a Dana 44 6CF HD ? Unsure if there were two models of this D44HD in the trucks, or just the one.

At any rate, I am trying to source out new hubs and rotors. Thankfully the external hubs and internals themselves are fine, just the hub/rotor assembly I'm after.

I see 78/79 Hubs/Rotors which look very similar, perhaps D60 units? Are any of these possible for me to use?

I'm also after a the steering box for the power assist steering, (is this simply a 4WD manual box, regardless of highboy or otherwise?)

Finally, outer Axle/Stub shafts would seal the deal.

I do see that bronco graveyard has some of this stuff.

Thanks for any p/n or source info anyone may have.

 

Anything out there??

 

Hub wise i'm not sure..but i use the 78 on up rotors...book says they are different..but put em side by side..they work just fine...I have em on my 76 Highboy and have had for 8 years now..not an ounce of problems...and they are quite a bit cheaper.

 

You have a 76 with large hubs????? This 76 should have a disc brake front end with a low pinion axle. The later model hubs do fit this axle. Acually the knuckles do too. Same calipers as the Dana 60 but thats as far as anything has on common. If you go this route, you will be upgrading the lockouts as well as all of the hardware.

I was certian that the large hub model axles were drum brake units. Those spindles and all of that mumbo jumbo are very different and will not interchange.


With all of this in mind, is this the time you should be considering the upgrade front axle? At least a high pinion D44? Lots of additional costs associated with the parts alone in the older axle, and he newer one is cheap and easy to install.

 

My friend has two 77 hi-boys with the large hub front 44 axles. And both have disk brakes.

 

A large hub like this with disc brakes?




Thas a new one to me. However, in my defense, I seldom even keep any axle like this. I dont build anything without a D60 any more. Lol.

 

Yes, 76 and early 77 units were open knuckle, disc brake units with ball joints.. Also yes, large external hubs.

75 and earlier were drums.

I did already discover the 78-79 Rotors fit, but still trying to sort out the outer axleshafts and wheel hubs.

 

I don't wheel the truck, just plowing. I might get into a D60 / High Pinion swap at some point.

Right now, if I can source the parts, good enough. I have found everything but the wheel hubs.

I spoke to a builder yesterday who claims he has put later spindles hubs and rotors on my type of D44 axle without issue.

This is what I have on mine for Data at this point:

D44-6CFHD

BOM: 603762-1
Build Date: 11 13 5 C4

Dann 44 HD, Open Knuckle Disc Brakes

Here is a pic from 2006 when I changed Ball joints. Also is a pic comparing to a hub from a 78 F250 4x4 with D60.


By craigwell


By craigwell,

 

I'm pretty certain the D60 spindles and rotors are the same as the HD44, though i'm not completely sure, 75F350 should be able to give you a definitive answer.

 

Sure do Ed...LOL...Craigwell is correct...76 and Early 77 have Disc Brakes and The BIG HUBS!!! I actually quite like this axle...I know it's not the 60...and it's low pinion...but it is definitely stronger than the Drum fronts....the drum fronts weak point is the studs....They don't use the captive bolts like the Disc fronts from 76 on up do...36 inch tires and the Drum fronts studs don't mix well!!! I Know this WAAAAAY to well..LOL

 

I finally found a copy of the old Dana BOM breakdowns, turns out that my specific axle was for a "1976 1/2" F250. Talk about an uncommon beast. It does have the part numbers for the axles and such, which I'll try to cross reference with the D60 stuff.

The hardest things to track down seem to be the wheel hubs.

 

True, but the 75 and earlier HD44 has king pins, the 76 and up HD44 has ball joints, so they both have their weak points.

 

I took another look today, seems my axle trouble is limited to the driver's inner shaft, a part I can source out without trouble.

Finding the wheel hubs would be nice, but I think mine will hold up - I've just been a little suspicious that they might be warped.

Overall this diff is rated for 3550lbs. Considering I only have the big six up front (converted back to gasoline from propane today btw) I think it will do me fine. It's already been there for 34 years, might as well keep it awhile longer.

 

I need to turn my attention back to the steering box a bit as well....

 

hey just wondering if anyone has any ideal what would be a gd rebuild kit for my dana 44 hd axle i have 1976 ford f250 highboy and tore down the axle and found out that i need replace everything in it beside the ring and pinion gears any suggestion on what i should use for it? i need to also replpace seals and bearings on the outter spindles two, and should i keep automatic locking hubs or switch it 2 manual locking hubs?