Figured it was time to start my own thread. Tried asking on the 73-79 thread but got no replies.

OK, here is what I know so far, Please confirm or correct as needed since I am not well versed in this stuff as some of the other guys here.

----The High pinion Dana 44 was first offered under ford F250s starting in late 1977.

----Uses leaf spring perches, will they match a 1980 version frame width????

----Uses 3" axle tubes that are 1/2" thick,

----Knuckles, axles and hubs are the same as the dana 60 of the same era (NOT sure about this, please weigh in),

----Ring & Pinion are the same as any other Dana 44 reverse spiral (such as from F150s or full size broncos), so this should in theory accept a 3.07 ratio,

----Looks nearly identical to the dana 60, but has 1/2" bolts on the diff cover instead of 9/16" on the larger 60',

----Came with dual caliper piston disk brakes from factory,

If true, this should be a pretty tough axle even if its not the coveted high pinion Dana 60 front.

I prefer independant suspension for my 4wd conversion, but I have to admit, the durability and simplicity of monobeam is tempting.

So what can you guys tell me about this?

 

after doing a little looking it sounds like your on the right track.i was curious about all that myself

 

My neighbor has a 79 Bronco. He has a Dana 60 in the rear, kept the 44 in the front and swapped from the knuckles out from an 8 lug 44.

I will have to ask him if the axles and hubs were the same. I also don't know if he had to make a drive line change for the rear U joint. He's running a 460, lifted, 36 or 38 inch mud tires. I can't keep track because he's a Bronco fiend, has 4 and is always changing something. He's got a 69 with about a 12 inch lift and running 40 inch tires with huge lugs on the tread. Heavy axles, 4 speed from a truck. I think the engine is a beefed 351 in that one.

 

David not all of them have the big hubs I my 79 has the small lockout hubs on them.
I am pretty sure the innards are the same for all high pinion d44:s.
On my old 76 I have a set of spider gears out of a blazer in it.

 

David for your use why can't you use a ttb F250 D44 that came out of an 83 up vintage single cab pickup. The way you use a pickup they are plenty strong.
Have you checked into converting to 4x I have never done a 80's vintage but the 70's the front crossmember had to be refabbed or replaced and there was quite a bit involved.
You might try posting this in the 4x4 section them guys do a lot of swapping but your swap is backwards to them, so their might not be too many answers about using the 307 gears.

 

78-79 frames were a coulpe inches narrower than the 80-up trucks if i'm not wrong. i was looking at 1 before i got my d-60 and i swear the spring perches were to narrow

 

The 70's frame is about 4" narrower, so the perches are narrower, and the differential is closer to the center line of the truck, and will interfere with the engine crossmember without at least 6" of lift or trimming the crossmember.
Knuckles are not the same, the 44's were still balljoint while 60's of that era are kingpin.
Brakes are the same, unlike GM and Dodge, if it was a 3/4 ton in any shape or form, it got 1 ton brakes.

Since I get the feeling you are wanting to keep the truck reasonably low, the TTB with it's not so great ride is going to be the way to go.

 

now i remember when i was measuring everthing the pumpkin was going to be right under the cross member

 

Since I get the feeling you are wanting to keep the truck reasonably low, the TTB with it's not so great ride is going to be the way to go.
While I like the solid front axle for its simplicity and toughness and ease of lifting if wanted, the ttb rides way better.
__________________

 

iirc the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton ttb 44 share the same inner's just have diff outer knuckles on them. if i'm correct you could use the 150 coil spring susp and the 250 outers. That way u keep the good coil spring ride and 250 brakes. I have my old leaf spring ttb 44 laying in the corner of my shop just don't know the knuckle spacing on the 1/2 ton ttb44

 

the dana 44 in the 150 and the 250 are pretty much the same. to get 250 brakes you swap the caliper mount and hub.a while back i helped a buddy swap a ttb for a 150 44.weused the coils from the donor truck but it had a 6" lift.i think the other guys are right about the diff and crossmember at stock height.

 

What is the chance of the F150 ttb and the 2x F250 twin I beam coil towers being the same width apart on the 80's era trucks.

 

i know the 2wd and 4wd 250s from 85-94 had the same crossmembers on the idi's i think they just had different holes drilled in them

 

TTB is a whole different ballgame than a solid axle, the caliper mount is cast into the knuckle, and the balljoint spacing on the 44HD is 1/2" wider than a F150 TTB. Basicly nothing swaps between them besides stub axles, wheel bearings, locking hubs and the pumpkin itself..

As for the coil towers, all of the mounting dimensions are the same between the F150 TTB and all of the coil sprung 80+ TIB front ends, it will bolt right in. But, pretty much no matter what you do you are stuck downgrading the front brakes if you go that route.

 

but doesn't the radius arms just bolt onto the 150 ttb my 250 ttb has holes that look like they are drilled in the same place. should be able to put radius arms and coil springs on it too. might have to drill holes to fit the radsius arm bolts but that is easy