Just got a stock 69 Bronco and I am planning to run an explorer 5.0, ZF 5 spd and 37" tires. Still trying to figure out what axles I would be better off with. Considering fullwidth hp44/9 from a 78/79 F150 or holding out until I find a 60/60 combo from late 70's F250/350.

I am pretty hard on parts. Do you think an ARB'd 44 and spooled 9" will hold up to 37" tires?

it's all about your right foot. If you do a 44 you'll want alloy axles, ctm joints, etc etc. By the time you spend all the money building the 44 you'll have the
price of a 60 in it anyway.

The 9 would be fine.

Stay away from the 78/79 D44, cast D wedges, weaker knuckles, lower steering, etc. IMHO you're better off with a D44 from an earlier F100/150 with drum brakes, beefier knuckles and higher steering, then installing the chevy brakes. IMHO a 60 rear isn't much better than a 9". My brother in law ran a 44 lockright/9"detroit in his 71 EB with 39" iroks for quite a while with a healthy 351/np435/D20. Only thing he ever broke was his wheel joints that were worn out and patched together. He usually had a couple of hotties in his rig and let his ego drive, using the skinny pedal when he got a big tire in a big hole. I witnessed this on several occasions, but still built the same axles for my EB. Though they havn't seen much trail time yet, I don't expect any problems.

I just finished swapping a 77 F150 44/9 combo under my 76 EB. Like was said previously stay away from the 78-79 packages on both F150's and Broncos, because they have cast wedges. The question I would start with is what kind of suspension are you planning on running. You can do either combo with stock radius arms, 3 or 4 link. However, by running any of these particular setups you are giong to have to address a couple different issues. Personally since I am not at ready to step up to 4 link I went with the 44/9 combo. Moved the c-mounts to EB width and the leaf spring perches in the rear. Much easier swap to what I already had under the truck and with alloys and beefed CTMs I don't anticipate any probles with my 37's. If you are ready for 3 or 4 link I would probably say bigger is better and go with the 60's.
Just my .02

Mike

Just got a stock 69 Bronco and I am planning to run an explorer 5.0, ZF 5 spd and 37" tires. Still trying to figure out what axles I would be better off with. Considering fullwidth hp44/9 from a 78/79 F150 or holding out until I find a 60/60 combo from late 70's F250/350.

I am pretty hard on parts. Do you think an ARB'd 44 and spooled 9" will hold up to 37" tires?

If you got a heavy foot go with a 60 front and 14bolt ff rear.

I vote 60/60 or 60/14bolt.


I am doing the 60/10.50 from a new 05' SD to keep the bolt pattern the same.

I know, I know..unit bearing..but the price is right, and my 70 Bronco only weights 5K, where a SD weights about 8K+...and I am only planning 39's. I figure I can get quite a bit of use out of it, and maybe by then the upgrade options will be better/cheaper...LOL!

depends on your Wallet. a 37 is fine for a Dana 44.
A dana 44 will get you on the trail faster (cheaper)
a 60 takes $

If you got a heavy foot go with a 60 front and 14bolt ff rear.

even 14 bolts are not indestructable. :grinpimp:

d44/9"

I have wheelin buddies with HO 5.0's, dual cases, lead foods, and 37-38.5's... upgrade the axles as they break, and you shouldn't have to worry about it after the first breakage. JMHO.

I vote 60/60 or 60/14bolt.


I am doing the 60/10.50 from a new 05' SD to keep the bolt pattern the same.

I know, I know..unit bearing..but the price is right, and my 70 Bronco only weights 5K, where a SD weights about 8K+...and I am only planning 39's. I figure I can get quite a bit of use out of it, and maybe by then the upgrade options will be better/cheaper...LOL!
A 14 bolt ff and 60 are the same bolt pattern unless you get a newer 60 with the metric pattern.

even 14 bolts are not indestructable. :grinpimp:

Nothing is industructable. Even rockwells. But the 14ff is the best bang for your $$. They are cheap, typically $100.00 to $200.00, easy to setup gears, easy to convert to disc, are stronger than a 60, and have an extra pinion support bearing that the 60 and alot of other axles do not have. I run 40" boggers with a lead foot and have never had a problem with stock axles in the 14ff.