i found 2 of these 3/4 ton axles but both are drum brakes, is there a disk convertion for them? also are they any stronger then a regular dana 44 from like a 78 f150, i can get this axle for my truck till i find a decent d60 and hes only asking $125 for the axle, also when i was looking at it, it seems the passengers side knuckle is real loose, are these balljoint or kingpin? whats the chances or the end being shot or just the kingpin/balljoint?

This is older than 77, I think 75 or 76 Ford went to open knuckles and disc brakes. These are kingpin, not ball joint. They use tapered roller bearings top and bottom, sounds like bad bearings. I have heard they do not turn as tight as open knuckle and the axle U-joints are weaker. I don't think they can easily be converted to disk brakes. Also low pinion.

This is older than 77, I think 75 or 76 Ford went to open knuckles and disc brakes. These are kingpin, not ball joint. They use tapered roller bearings top and bottom, sounds like bad bearings. I have heard they do not turn as tight as open knuckle and the axle U-joints are weaker. I don't think they can easily be converted to disk brakes. Also low pinion.

truck said it was a 77 and the vin matched a 77 unless the cab was changed one time, the steering and low pinion was a no brainer as soon as i seen it but it doesnt really matter, it will just be a temp axle till i get the d60, but i need a axle that uses leafs and i cant find any others but a dana50, unless i go with a chevy one and that has the passengers side pumpkin.

truck said it was a 77 and the vin matched a 77 unless the cab was changed one time, the steering and low pinion was a no brainer as soon as i seen it but it doesnt really matter, it will just be a temp axle till i get the d60, but i need a axle that uses leafs and i cant find any others but a dana50, unless i go with a chevy one and that has the passengers side pumpkin.
Maybe someone swapped in the axle for better gearing? Anyways it's not a 77 axle if it's closed. Want to know the year and much more info? Post the BOM (How to find BOM -> http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/BOM_Info.htm )

Is it a baseball sized knuckle? They walk away fast!

If it's a softball sized knuckle...
If you check my web page, part 2 you'll see a Heavy Duty (Softball sized large) closed knuckle be converted to disk.
I've talked to 4-5 guys about this swap. I've never talked to anyone who's completed it, however it's do-able.
The U-joint is the same size as a 297 from an open knuckle, but it uses shafts with external snap rings. Stronger, but if you snap one shaft good luck finding another!

So, what size is it? Are you going to buy it?

Maybe someone swapped in the axle for better gearing? Anyways it's not a 77 axle if it's closed. Want to know the year and much more info? Post the BOM (How to find BOM -> http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/BOM_Info.htm )

Is it a baseball sized knuckle? They walk away fast!

If it's a softball sized knuckle...
If you check my web page, part 2 you'll see a Heavy Duty (Softball sized large) closed knuckle be converted to disk.
I've talked to 4-5 guys about this swap. I've never talked to anyone who's completed it, however it's do-able.
The U-joint is the same size as a 297 from an open knuckle, but it uses shafts with external snap rings. Stronger, but if you snap one shaft good luck finding another!

So, what size is it? Are you going to buy it?


both were softball size, and are the shafts really that hard to find? i dont wanna be runnin an axle that i cant get shafts for when i snap them, yeah not if, WHEN. and if its gunna cost me money to get new shafts for it it really wouldnt be worth it. so im not sure yet, i have till the 1st to get the axle under it and get it outof the lot where im working on it so it really depends what else i find.

I would look for a leaf sprung dana 44 from 77-79 F250 or a F150 supercab. Then the dana 60 would be a simple swap in later.

I would look for a leaf sprung dana 44 from 77-79 F250 or a F150 supercab. Then the dana 60 would be a simple swap in later.


ive been, they are rare around here, only leaf sprung axles i find are in jeeps. if youve read my 78 150 buildup thread youd know the problems im having finding a decent axle

They aren't that hard to find if you post on several msg boards. Here's an add from a local trader paper I found a few days ago. You need to change your location and at least put in the state though.

1979 F250 4x4, 4 speed, 410 gears no engine or bed. $400 276-479-1204

They aren't that hard to find if you post on several msg boards. Here's an add from a local trader paper I found a few days ago. You need to change your location and at least put in the state though.

1979 F250 4x4, 4 speed, 410 gears no engine or bed. $400 276-479-1204


yeah we got those all over, but what am i gunna do with a whole pickup? this is the reson i gotta have mine out, my location has no garage or somewhere i can store a second pickup till i get rid of it. thats why im useing a friends lot but he needs it outa there.

so i went and got the damn 44, so far it seems solid, only the one kinkpin is loose and it needs a drum, didnt find the BOM yet so i dunno an exact year, but my 78's steering linkage dont fit it, the taperd joints wont go in, they are to small on the new 8 lug 44, how would i go about making them bigger or should i just try to find one that fits? also i was looking on Mr.N's site and this 44 has the ribs in the pumpkin so its a heavy duty, what kinda beating do you guys think i can put on thios before i start ripping it apart? it hate to get it under and rip it to shreads the first run.

after i get the truck rolling ill be converting it to disk and provide a howto if i manage to do it, also will the inner shafts from my 78's 44 fit this new 8 lugger?

so nobody know how to drill these out? i need to get the steering hooked up ASAP, i got 9 days to get this truck done

Tapered reamer, electric drill, check often.