I'll be putting the Ford reverse cut Dana 44 front in my YJ.

Is the only year that the Ford 44 RC the 1977 1/2 - 1979?

Is it in the F-150, F-250 or F-350?

Regular cab, extra cab, or supercab?

Caster angles?

I need it to fit leaf springs.

I looked at the axle list that has been posted, but it does not list whether or not the axles are reverse cut or not...

Any site to look at for Ford axle specs {besides Ptropers(?)}?

Here is what I believe to be correct:

Ford Dana High Pinion came in:

F150 & F100 1969-79 (Not all for early years, close knuckle for at least 69(

F250 77-79 (I've heard 76, but have seen a 76 with close knuckle low pinion)

You want a F150 76-77, if your keeping the brakes else 73-77.

STAY away from F150 & Bronco 78 & 79. Stay far away!

I'll post more later.

for a truck that has pads for leaf springs then F-250/F-350 77 1/2 - 79 D-44/D-60 will be reverse cut. all earlier ones will be standard.
Mr N. is right on about the F-100 years. '76 on will be Disc brakes and all earlier will be drum.

Mr N., why stay away from 78-79?????

It won't matter about the Cab as far as the cut of the front gears goes. Ford made the change all along the line up.

eric

I'm guessing that he said stay away from 78-79s because of the cast ears for the radius arms. They make it harder to mount the spring pads for leafs.
The 78-79 are a little harder, but doable. I used a D44 from a 79 Bronco when I did the leaf-sprund swap into my Bronco II.

I definitely want the disc brakes in the front, open knuckle, and the hi steering.

Anyone know the caster on the D44RC? Did they ever come with 4.56's?

I will install a Dana 60 in the rear so should I upgrade my brakes to the Ford master cylinder? Will I have to change my proportioning valve as well?

The guys at the junkyard are full of *%$#! They told me that ford didn't use RC 44's. Anyone have one for sale?

If you can find the ever elusive 77.5-79 F150 Supercab 4x4, you'll have yourself a 5 lug D44 with leaf springs

What is some of the widths of these diffs? WMS to WMS?

here's a pic of a 78 rc d44 with the cast pieces. They are hollow :eek: so don't go thinking yer gonna grind them off.

the red in this pic is where the cast piece is, the green is the typ location people put a spring pad.

I'm getting some conflicting info about the dana 44 RC and hoping you guys can help out. I was told on the board that the cab didn't matter when it comes to front axle determination. But, when calling the junkyards, they are asking whether or not it is a supercab or regular cab? They said there is a difference in the axle, but would not explain what. What is the difference between the super and regular cab as far as the axle is concerned?

They also asked whether or not it is a PT or FT transfer case and if it is half ton.

Does it have to be 77.5 - 79?

Anyone have one available? I think that my local junkyards are smoking crack.

(Again, I want to swap it into a YJ with the NP 231 T-case and leaf sprung, open knuckle, driver drop, and the 30 spline count.)

that's because junk yards are stupid, they have no idea what they're really talking about. So unless you ask for the exact vehicle desc that they might happen to have, they'll tell you it's wrong.

ok jackasses

didn't I just say a few posts up that SUPERCABS are LEAF SPRING

ugh... :D :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :D

Originally posted by Alpo23

Mr N., why stay away from 78-79?????

Look at the pic posted by Danger Ranger. That's why!

I cut open a 79 Ford Bronco on the full cast area. It is hollow below it. Other words the long side has two seperate tubes! you'll need to re-tube the axle if you grid away this area.

And the worst part is the middle tube was only 1/8" thick! That is not a miss print. The Dana 44 tube was only 1/8" thick! I have pictures of this as I knew no one would believe me. I'll have to find them and scan them.

I have a few here what do you want and how many?

:question: Danger Ranger & Mr. N: Is that true for all of the RC 44's or just the 78-79's? Are all of the 44's only 1/8" thick? Thanks for bringing that to my attention...no one of the Jeep board mentioned it. In fact, they recommended those years...you guys do know your %@*! Thanks!:D :beer:

emsoffroad: I e-mailed you. I guess I'll be looking for the 1976 - 1977 RC dana 44 with disc brakes. Thanks again.

Originally posted by RSQJEEP
:question: Danger Ranger & Mr. N: Is that true for all of the RC 44's or just the 78-79's? Are all of the 44's only 1/8" thick? Thanks for bringing that to my attention...no one of the Jeep board mentioned it. In fact, they recommended those years...you guys do know your %@*! Thanks!:D :beer:

emsoffroad: I e-mailed you. I guess I'll be looking for the 1976 - 1977 RC dana 44 with disc brakes. Thanks again.

It's only the 78 &79's. Aviod them. I've been "told" that all 78 & 79's had 3/8" tubes. but this was also by the source that didn't know they were hollow in the cast bracket area. This axle would be find IF you use the Ford coil system and didn't want to shorten it. So if you have an EB an want to cut down a HP 44, adviod this axle.

The one I cut down (to shorten, that's how I learned about this) had the 1/8" tube in the center. This is the only Dana 44 I;ve ever heard about have such a thin tube. I'd drill a very small hole to check if you can't remove the axle to feel inside.

Still can't find the pictures, Ugh (they are somewhere)

Very interesting....I would have problems with that because I'm swapping it into a 90 Jeep YJ that will be running leaf springs. I am going to have to shorten the axle. The hollow part and the 1/8" could be a huge issue then. Although it is reassuring to hear that it is only with the Ford and Bronco 78-79's...

Do you know what the caster is on the ford RC Dana 44's around 1976-77? I'm hoping that it is similar to the Jeep's....more than likely not.

Thanks so much for the help! So far I have 2 guys from POR helping me out with the axle...might have one sooner than I thought!