Dana 44 Front

[srscout]

Hey Guys
I have an 86 F-250 4X4 that I use for a light duty tow rig ( 4 wheelers etc). The piss off is the TTB front. I hate it. I have a Dana 44 3\4 ton front end from a 79 F-250 that already has the right gears to match the rear in the 86. Other that converting the 79 front to crossover steering (not a big deal as I have done several) is there any reason that this would not be a good swap?
I have seen it done with 60 fronts but never a 44. I don't need more strength (I'm only running 33's on it) I just want to get rid of the TTB front. Thanks in advance------ S&R

[masterbeavis]

measure carefully and make shure you can make the axle fit correctly. Aside from that, why arent you done already?

Search with retsin, two mints in one

[84B2]

36.25" center to center when mounting the spring perches(or damn close, thats where i set mine on my old ford) make sure the caster is set properly(i believe 2* is about right for a street driven vehicle) and away you go.

if you have problems with headshake, you may want to change the shackle from being on the front of the frame to the back of the leafs though, that solved my problem, otherwise you might need to add a track bar

[shains91]

You wont need a track bar. The spacing of the springs is different between the two axles the 78 D44 uses a 32" or so spring spacing and the 86 is 36.25" or so. You will have to reweld the perches wider to make it work. Placing the shackle at the rear of the pack seems to work the best ride from what I have herd. Search www.fullsizebronco.com in the SAS section. 80-96 broncos and f-series trucks have the same frame or close to. It is a good site with alot of info.

[84B2]

You wont need a track bar. The spacing of the springs is different between the two axles the 78 D44 uses a 32" or so spring spacing and the 86 is 36.25" or so. You will have to reweld the perches wider to make it work. Placing the shackle at the rear of the pack seems to work the best ride from what I have herd. Search www.fullsizebronco.com in the SAS section. 80-96 broncos and f-series trucks have the same frame or close to. It is a good site with alot of info.


sorry bro, but i totally disagree, ive known a bunch of people who have done it and NEEDED a track bar with the stock shackle up front setup. and its not just hearsay. one buddy did as mentioned, and had totally unsafe headshake, he would have to come to a complete stop before it would stop shaking, i rode in it, he flipped the shackle and got rid of the track bar and all was well again. same thing happened to another friend but he just threw the track bar in and it was fine.(also take a look at the f350's, why do you think they came leaf sprung with a track bar?)

i ran shackle in the rear and was fine, no vibrations, nothing.

another thing to think about is a softer leaf, its gonna ride like a tank if you keep the ttb leafs, because the ttb has added leverage over a straight axle, they run a stiffer spring. a simple f350 gas motor reg cab front leaf would probably be the best (since its not a wheeler) unless you are alo looking for some lift.

just dont want srscout to get the wrong idea

[Saurian]

Shackle up front, you need a Trac bar, its true. When your tire hits an object with a shackle in the front, on order for the tire to go over it it has to move forward and up. Well, a 6000 pound truck going 40 hitting a bump in the road, that's kind of hard to do. So it fights its natural desire of movement. This also causes the axle to try and move side to side, trying to go the easiest route to get free. Thus, you need a track bar to keep the axle tracked in the same position.

By moving the shackle to the rear you allow the suspension to cycle properly. Both the leaf spring moving up and away from the object, but also the front axle moving in sync with the rest of the vehicle. Better ride, better handling. The only issue with this is switching the shackle rearward you can't put extended shackles on and all that, because you will point your pinion at the ground.

I thought everybody knew this by now. Also about the springs, as 84B2 said, don't use the TTB springs. The TTB design calls for stiff ass springs to keep the tire from moving too far in either direction, keeping the caster in spec. Softer springs would cause the tire to tip in and out all the time. So if you SAS, use the 78-79 stuff, or 1-ton springs.

[shains91]

I said you do not need a track bar and to run the shackle in the rear. I have seen a few SAS'd Broncos with f-350 leaf packs and no track bar. They had no problems with stability and ride quality.

84B2 you said the same thing I did he put the shackle at the rear of the pack and did not run a track bar and his problem was solved.

Some may not need a track bar some may, Look at most Chevys the do not run a track bar and they have no problems.

I say try it one way if it not up to your standards do something different. There is nothing wrong with having a track bar, but in my experiences with leaf SAS one is not needed.

[84B2]

I said you do not need a track bar and to run the shackle in the rear. I have seen a few SAS'd Broncos with f-350 leaf packs and no track bar. They had no problems with stability and ride quality.

84B2 you said the same thing I did he put the shackle at the rear of the pack and did not run a track bar and his problem was solved.

Some may not need a track bar some may, Look at most Chevys the do not run a track bar and they have no problems.

I say try it one way if it not up to your standards do something different. There is nothing wrong with having a track bar, but in my experiences with leaf SAS one is not needed.


sorry dude, i guess i misread, i thought you were saying he would not need a track bar with a forward mounted shackle