ok, 78 F-250 hp D44, got it for $225, seemed like a pretty good price to me. few questions, first, whats the bolt pattern, it's an 8 lug, but I don't know the center. also, what should I do as far as reconditioning it, and what should I check for. besides obvious things like new gears and an arb, what do I do to check the shafts and is there a write up on doing a brake job on these. also, what should I finish it with after I grind it doen, bedliner? thanks for the help.

The type of paint you use is a huge discussion in its own... Everyone likes different things. When I finish mine I will try and get POR-15 on it just because I've heard good things...

Does it have disc brakes?
If so there are easy to do. If its drums, just got to your local autoparts store and buy a hardware kit with springs, wheel cyclinders, and pads. If the drums are good then reuse them, if not a shop might be able to machine them out.

The axle I'm selling I put new ball joints in. When you tare apart the hubs and spindles and whatnot you will be able to see what looks bad. I'd say at least new wheel bearings and appropriate seals.

I don't know about the center dimensions, so I'm going to keep my mouth shut.

Goodluck

yeah its disks. i think i've seen the paint discussion thread here somewhere, thought I'd ask anyway. thanks.

Just got mine finished and ready to install. (From a 78 Bronco going into an 86.) Just painted it with rattle can primmer and flat black.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/473488/fullsize/im000621.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/497717/fullsize/im000771.jpg

Usedthis kit for the rebuild...
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-22114_dana_44_master_overhaul_kit.htm

thank you! thats exactly what I was looking for. so I got to ask, how many inchs of lift are you getting from those coils?

Don't know for sure yet. They are 6" lift Superflex coils from the same place I got the rebuild kit. They are for a 78-79 Bronco and I'm putting them on an 86, so who knows what the actual lift will be. I have the axle in place, sort of, but haven't put the weight of the truck on it yet. I am a few steps ahead of these pictures. Axles put together, wheels are on, cross member is torched and gears/locker are installed. Got it pretty much centered front to back and side to side. Working on trac bar and steering now. Current pics are still in the camera.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/497723/fullsize/im000777.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/497724/fullsize/im000778.jpg

looking good, I don't know much about broncos, did the 86 have the TTB? is that why you had to weld in a new crossmember? keeps the pics coming, looks like a real clean build.:D

Yup, had the TTB. Didn't add anything to the cross member yet. Just chopped some off. I'm going to weld a plate in there later. I'll load up some current pics on Monday.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/473501/fullsize/im000633.jpg

If you are asking the bolt pattern, it's 8 lug on a 6 1/2" bolt circle. Far as reconditioning, check the wear items, ball joints, bearings, seals, The main thing to check on the axle shafts are the holes for the U-Joints are not egg shaped.

$225 is a good price if it's hi pinion and disc brakes.

Here are some shots of the torched cross member...

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/507968/fullsize/im000790.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/507973/fullsize/im000795.jpg

looks good dude. what is that, an OX front locker? it looks like one of their covers. how do you like it?

looks good dude. what is that, an OX front locker? it looks like one of their covers. how do you like it?

No, the cover is from Poison Spyder. I paid for some machine work for a friend and he paid me back by giving me the cover. The 44 has a Detroit Tru-Trac limited slip and 456 gears. The cover is pretty nice, looks strong and functional.

http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/images/Poison%20Spyder%20Bomb%20Shell%20Diff%20Guard.jpg

Kenny.....Looks like leading edge of former crossmember remnant might impact trac-bar. This would not be good. Maybe trim it a little more???
Love to see TTB's hit the dumpster. Tire size? I ran 38" TSL's on HPD44 prior to HPD60. Was accutely aware everytime I got into throttle, even w/Warn chromo's & exc. joints. Just had to put er' out there. Like your BigB' project.:D

Yeah, I left that piece on there because I might try to use my old Super-Runner steering from the TTB. I haven't really checked it out yet. I think I'd have to use the old TTB drop bracket to bolt it up to. Don't know if it's been tried yet. Hell, I don't even know if it will work or even be worth it. Gonna mess with it this weekend and see if it can be done.

I've got 35X12.50X15 X-Terrains on there now and 35X14.50X15 Boggers in the shed. I'm chopping up the fenders and quarters now so I may go a little bigger down the road.

Here are the quarters before and after.....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/322358/fullsize/im000317.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/322367/fullsize/im000325.jpg

looks good kenny. rock rash? that must have made a terrible noise when it happened. I may have to check out one of the psc covers, they look tough.