going to disc's but i want to use 1/2" studs instead of 9/16"...is there anything i can do about this or am i stuck with 9/16"?

Just bore your D44 hubs to fit a 9/16 stud. The 14 bolt is already bored out to fit a 9/16 so you can't exactly shrink the hole:D

That said I run 1/2" studs up front on my HP60 and 9/16" studs out back on the 14bolt. Just have to have 2 sockets to rotate tires:flipoff2:

Ford HP 60's came in 1/2 studs and 9/16" studs. I've only found 9/16 studs on the 14 bolts I've seen. 9/16" studs are only $.98 each so the swap isn't very expensive.

I went to several parts stores with an old stud in hand and a set of dial calipers. It took a few stores but I finally came up with matching 9/16 studs front and rear for a disk brake conversion I did on the 14 bolt.

I suggest some quality time at the parts store and you may find something that will work. You might try the Ford HP 60 1/2" studs (77 1/2 - 79) to start with. The knurled part was a little short for the disk brake rotor/hub but should work with a drum.

Don't know for sure if this applies, but on my D60 front/14-bolt rear, the solution for me was to take a mic and measure the studs taken out of the D60. I then went to Napa, they pulled the book and found some studs that had only 2/1000ths difference in the knurl, but 9/16" threads and exactly the right depth, so they were a straight pound-in affair on the 60. I believe they were from a 1976 K30 Chevy but don't quote me on that. They do exist though and it's a simple swap.

Hope it helps,

The application for 9/16 studs in a 60 is an '86 or newer Ford F350. The 80-85 F350's also had 9/16 studs.

Brimy: Where are you located in SW Michigan? I have family that lives in the Paw Paw area.

yeah i am about 30-45minutes from paw paw...if you are ever up here and want to wheel...we have club land with trails in stevensville michigan...

Yeah, just one thing to keep in mind. As I recall from going through the book, there are a number of them with 9/16 diameter, it was the knurl diameter and stud length that varied so not every 9/16 stud will work in every other applications rotor... take one from your current axle with you and bring along a micrometer. Just hoping to save you an extra trip.