Just curious,
I tried the search, but couldn't find it. I know these are the BA**ard of all front axles according to some, but I wanted to know what can be done to improve the 3/4 ton low pinion dana 44; from disk adaptation to strength improvements, other than tossing them to the garbage can??????

 

I don't know of any aftermarket stuff for them, and some parts for them are basically nonexistant, so I would spend the money you would use to upgrade at least to an open knuckle d44.

 

They're a pretty stout axle but if you want to upgrade the easiest and cheapest route is to just swap in a 77.5-79 disc brake/high pinion axle, there's a disc brake conversion kit out there but it's ridiculously expensive... 4x4 Front Differential Disc Brake Kits

there's also parts still available for these axles but they too are expensive and becoming very scarce... QUAD 4 x4_

 

Enough said! Thanks for the links. Seeing is believing!

I already posted the question elsewhere, but I'll ask again here:

Since 1/2 ton 5 lug, coil sprung Dana 44HP's are the most plentiful, can they easily be converted to 3/4 ton, 8 lug, leaf sprung??

 

I'm almost 100% certain they can be but don't quote me on that because i haven't personally converted one over, i know their numbers are fewer but i've never had any difficulty finding the 3/4 ton 8 lug, leaf sprung HP D44's in junk yards, it may take a little looking but they are out there.

 

The simple answer is yes. HOWEVER, you will need the spindles, hubs, caliper brackets, calipers and rotors. Unless you just happen to find this stuff laying on the ground somewhere, it's probably gonna be cheaper to buy a complete 8 lug axle. And, just in case that's not enough to discourage you, here is the rest of the details. None of the coil spring axles have the cast in spring perch for the drivers side leaf spring. 78-79 models have radius arm mounts that are NOT removable. And none of them have the big tubes and beefy housing like the open knuckle 8 lug axles.

Any more questions??