I bought a Hi-pinion Dana 44 housing out of a 1968 or 1969 F100. It has open kingpin nuckles and came from the factory with drum brakes and axle shafts that carried a 260x u-joint. I know that the axle shafts are the same length in this axle as in later Ford D44s and I will upgrade to the 297x size u-joint. My main question is whether or not I can directly swap in balljoint knuckles so I can run disc brakes. I like the fact that the axle has 2 3/4 inch tubes with 1/2 inch walls. I don't like the fact that it has kingpin knuckles and drum brakes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I have read Mr. N's articles already. That is where I have gotten most of my info.

I don't think it would be worth your time since it has closed knuckles.
Just swap in late 70ish axles.

I didn't think they made high pinion D44's until the mid 70's. Sure somebody didn't do a swap? Maybe I'm wrong though.

You can usually find a 78-79 D44 setup pretty easily. HP D44, Open Knuckles, Disc brakes, and pretty easy to mount.

I didn't think they made high pinion D44's until the mid 70's. Sure somebody didn't do a swap? Maybe I'm wrong though.

You can usually find a 78-79 D44 setup pretty easily. HP D44, Open Knuckles, Disc brakes, and pretty easy to mount.

usually, even the chevy guys know that 1/2 ton fords have had HP's for like ever :flipoff2:

I saw one of those in the JY this summer under a 71' F-100.
open knuckle, drum brake, king pin, HP44(of course), with 260 shafts.

I would think you might be able to get chevy sprindles and calipers to work on there, like you can with the 3/4 ton stuff, but who knows.

My advise would be to just pass on the axle, unless its free(might have a good ratio gearset in it) With the plethora of newer disc brake axles around, I just buy one of those.

usually, even the chevy guys know that 1/2 ton fords have had HP's for like ever :flipoff2:
Check back 2 years ago, not many were posting that a HP was around before 77...

I bought a Hi-pinion Dana 44 housing out of a 1968 or 1969 F100. It has open kingpin nuckles and came from the factory with drum brakes and axle shafts that carried a 260x u-joint. I know that the axle shafts are the same length in this axle as in later Ford D44s and I will upgrade to the 297x size u-joint. My main question is whether or not I can directly swap in balljoint knuckles so I can run disc brakes. I like the fact that the axle has 2 3/4 inch tubes with 1/2 inch walls. I don't like the fact that it has kingpin knuckles and drum brakes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I have read Mr. N's articles already. That is where I have gotten most of my info.
great question! And take pictures for me!

Ok, lenght I've no idea on. But if I can find my extra inner 44 knuckles I'll mail them to you for free if you give me pictures! (I just moved, so I'm not 100% sure I even have the knuckles....)

Remember, Rumor is the 297 (aka 760's) will fit. Heck I'll send a short side to you if you can take pics of it fitting!



My guess is you can fit the inner knuckles and make it work, can you weld?

yes, I can weld, so get some balljoint innter knuckles that would be great. I just bought a complete HP D44 from a 1973 F100(297x ujoints and balljoints). I will try the shafts from the 1973 in the 1968 and see if they will work with the kingpins. Mr. N. pm me your e-mail address andI will send you some pics when I get a chance.

Just so everyone knows Chevy spindles and backing plates will bolt up for a disc brake swap even with the kingpin knuckles.

I ran into this problem with my 74 axel it had drums and i swiched to disks but i tried the chevy thing first and a no go.U will need the spindels and caliper mount off a later 70ds axel that has disks.

Yup, I know. I already got the spindles and caliper backing plates. Just need to round up the rest of the parts.

Well, I tried some axle shafts with the larger size 297(760) u-joints they will not fit through the outer knuckle. With very minor clearancing they will fit. They fit fine within the inner knuckles.

Well, I tried some axle shafts with the larger size 297(760) u-joints they will not fit through the outer knuckle. With very minor clearancing they will fit. They fit fine within the inner knuckles.
Thanks for the info! Good to know!