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as u can tell buy my avatar my f350 is big but it has a dana 44 up front it a 85 does any body know y some wounld do this i think it origlay is a ttb 50 that what people on this sight told another prolbem when i bought the truck paid 1700 with lift and tries i thoguht good deal the only has 33k miles the dude was in the air force truck was drive very litte us to tow a trallior 1 or tiwce a year but when off road front wheels dint turn so when i got home i found out the front end had no oil ring and pioin was there spider where going as it not there and planterys where striped so shuold i build up the 44 with crom molly u joint biger axle for just swap in a dana60 the truck is lifted 11 brog wanner t19 and the t case is this a good step up
I would say don't waste your time with anything less than a D60. You're gonna break shafts on the 44 if you do any kind of off-roading with any tire-size over stock, and you'll end up paying more to rebuild it then to just put in the 60. If you cro-mo the 60 (now or later), then you're pretty much set for anything.
Even in Northern Ca. you should be able to find the bolt in D60 for less than $1000.
Matter of fact, I believe that there are a few 78/9 D60's up there.
You secure me a 78/9 D60 front, for a decent price, and I will allow you $1000 credit towrds either a ball joint or king pin Dana 60 that will fit your truck.
I have two of each.
Here is a complete truck. You could upgrade your engine to fuel injection.: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/885924510.html
Gotta look for them I just bought a good 88 F350 for 800 bucks. This was a complete running truck!
Parts are out there, and you will be much better off installing a better axle up front. You will be wasting money trying to make your TTB axle bullet proof.
Too many weak points in this axle.
I just broke the spider gears on my 44 with 33'' tires and a stock 460, I used to defend the 44 because I had always had good luck with them as long as the tires are reasonably sized but I have now joined the ranks of dana 44 haters (even though I still have one)
Do not bother with the D44. D60 is practically required.
Btw, who the hell would swap a D60 for a D44?
Just to throw this out there, chances are the truck has 133k+ and it rolled over to 33k. I mean even if it is seldom driven, its fairly uncommon to have an '85 with such low mileage.
My dad who sold me my F-350 told me my truck had 80k original. I'm however beginning to suspect otherwise. 180k is more likely. I mean how many engines have dead pistons at 83k? I dropped in a new 460 and out goes the transmission. Could be to the wheeling, but I doubt it. IM RAMBLING! So...
Long story short, it probably has 130k and i'd suggest the D60 over a suped up D44.
the frist owen keepet log fo everthing done withe truck and hes was in the the air force so i kinda beleave him i neverd asked him y he put the 44 in therebut people on this cite told me it can with a ttb 50