I have been searching for a Ford HP44 for several months now. I did a search and got some information, but not everything I was looking for. Currently I have a Ford 9" big bearing from a '81 F100 that is ~65" WMS-WMS. I am looking for a matching front axle. Here is what I know: 77.5-79 Fullsize broncos, F150's and F250's had the HP44. Some had a cast radius arm mount (read: stay away from) and some had the welded mount (good axle). I believe the 78-79 Broncos and F150's are ~65" WMS-WMS and was told that I could get an F250 HP44 since it has thicker axle tubes and put F150 outers on it to convert it to 5x5.5 and it would end up being ~65" WMS-WMS. I also found that this axle may have been available in earlier models, but couldn't find any definites and which years and what the WMS-WMS was.

What I would like to know: Which years can I look at to maybe increase the number of axles I can find or am I stuck with 77.5-79? I know there are a couple for sale in the For Sale section, but I would like to find one locally to keep costs down.

Thanks

Do a search for Rickb in the forsale section, he has a couple of axles for sale that meet your criteria and he is pretty close to you.

I sent him a PM already and it is going to be just over $300 for the axle. I was going to see if I could find one closer for cheaper so I could avoid having to pay freight costs.

well first of all in your discription you dont' want a cast bushing but you want 77.5-79 well those kinda disagree with each other... see 77 was the last year they had the welded on bushings......

the problem with the 250 axle is that it has no bushings it is leaf spring axle......

Sorry, this will be going into a TJ, so I will have to weld on my own brackets. I heard that not all of the housings from 77.5-79 had cast bushings, that is why I am asking. In fact one of the guys from my local club put a 79 Bronco RC44 in the front of his cherokee. That is where I got the idea of using that year axle and why I figured I would ask. I don't want to by an axle and then be stuck with something I can't use. If I can find a F250 axle can I swap F150 outers on it to have the 5x5.5 bolt pattern and essentially narrow WMS-WMS without cutting the housing?

yess you could do that but as far as I know NO 78-79 came with Cast bushings....

yess you could do that but as far as I know NO 78-79 came with Cast bushings....

Originally posted by Grnscru
Sorry, this will be going into a TJ, so I will have to weld on my own brackets. I heard that not all of the housings from 77.5-79 had cast bushings, that is why I am asking. From Whom? I think they mis-spoke 78-79 has the bad coil brackets Unless you run the stock Ford set up, stay away from the FSB & F100 & F150 s.
Originally posted by Grnscru
In fact one of the guys from my local club put a 79 Bronco RC44 in the front of his cherokee. That is where I got the idea of using that year axle and why I figured I would ask. I don't want to by an axle and then be stuck with something I can't use. If I can find a F250 axle can I swap F150 outers on it to have the 5x5.5 bolt pattern and essentially narrow WMS-WMS without cutting the housing? The F250 HP axle is 1" longer than the F100 & F150 on the long side.

Edit:> As if I could resist posting :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Mr.N
The F250 HP axle is 1" longer than the F100 & F150 on the long side.

So I could get a F250 axle, cut an inch off the long side, put F150 outers on it to get the 5x5.5 pattern and be at ~65" WMS-WMS?