My truck is in needof a new front end. Every single busing is shot, as well as the ball joints, brakes,... So now I want to swap a Solid Front end in there because I want to lift it on some 35-37" tires. What 44 will fit in there, and what is involved in doing this swap. I gotta get this done like ASAP. Will the front axle out of a 77-79 F250 fit in there? Do I have to move the spring hangers for the axle pads, or is it a direct bolt in.

Thank in Advance

Dimitri

#1 YOU NEED DANA 60 HP

DANA 44 + 250 DESIL = :nuke:

#1 this will NEVER be wheeled. This is a tw rig, and will be lucky to see 4 wheel drive, except for when in the snow going skiing.

#2, The HP60 is $$$$$$$$$$$ and I do not want to spend that kind of money on this truck just yet.


I only want to run 35-37" tires. this truck will be on the street most of the time, except when towing off road to get to a trail head, and 4 wheel drive is never needed for that anyway.

Dimitri

spring pads are different spacing apart. The 79 and older are around 3" closer together. Since the later rigs are wider you can probably just mount two new pads and not use the milled pad on the diff housing. I still have that '78 D-44 dual piston brake front end I showed you this last winter, If you need it let me know and we can talk.



Eric

Eric, lets talk about that front end, I am very interested in doing this. I am sure I can do that and then get some wheel spacers.

Dimitri

:confused: why the wheel spacers??



Eric

Originally posted by SMART ASS
#1 YOU NEED DANA 60 HP

DANA 44 + 250 DESIL = :nuke:

dont say i didnt try

Originally posted by SMART ASS


dont say i didnt try

Trust me, I have been building for YEARS, and I know the 44 will not stand up to the weight of a diesel when loaded down, but in all honesty, when the ubs are not locked in, what will break???? the ball joints? what else? enlighten me.

dimitri

Yep, spring pad spacing will be different on a '77-79 D44.

An '86-97 D60 would be a DIRECT bolt-in tho, you wouldn't even have to unhook your brake lines. Check this page:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/buildup/dana60conv.php

And yeah, I understand you don't want to spend the money on a D60 - just pointing out options.

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just replace the bushings, brake, and ball joints and then lift the TTB Dana 50?
:confused:

If it is just for towing then why go to the expense of buying another axle (and probably needing new brakes, ball joints, ect. for it), messing around with fabbing up new spring perches, and then lifting it? Especially since the TTB Dana 50 (aside from being a TTB) is beefier than a Dana 44?

I don't get it... :confused: :confused: :confused:

The diff on the 78/79 D44 isn't offset enough to clear the TTB crossmember w/o lots of lift or some hacking on the crossmember.

By the time you get a D44 to fit you probably could of just bought a 60. The 86-97 D60 from F350's will bolt right in.

man they're hell bent on getting you to go witha d60 huh?

Originally posted by FordPowr
The diff on the 78/79 D44 isn't offset enough to clear the TTB crossmember w/o lots of lift or some hacking on the crossmember.

I very much doubt it would be an issue on a tow rig, esp an F250 or 350 which sits higher than a 1/2 ton.

But Poser might have a point, if all you're gonna do is tow the D50 TTB might be suitable if freshened up?

Call Dyna trac, they will set you up with a HP60 :D

Dude, replace the junk you have, and put 35's on it, you can do all the bushing on that truck in like 2 hours

Originally posted by D60


I very much doubt it would be an issue on a tow rig, esp an F250 or 350 which sits higher than a 1/2 ton.

But Poser might have a point, if all you're gonna do is tow the D50 TTB might be suitable if freshened up?

unless he wants a tow rig that has plenty of clearance to fit 38.5's then the x-member will need some attention. The diff on the 78/79 axle's is not offset nearly as much as the 86 up.

I picked up my 60 out of a 94 F350 for a grand. It had steering, sway bars, track bar and u-bolts...everything you need to bolt it under a TTB F250. If your time is worth anything I bet you'd be money ahead to bolt in the 60 than spend the money/time modifying a 44 to fit and then get tie rod/drag link and a track bar worked out and still have a axle that can't handle the weight.

Originally posted by welndmn
Call Dyna trac, they will set you up with a HP60 :D

Dude, replace the junk you have, and put 35's on it, you can do all the bushing on that truck in like 2 hours

So Mark, come by and give me a hand lifting and changing all that crap. hahaah I will supply the beer and pizza. I want to do this in a couple of months.

Dimitri

Let me know when, i will give ya a hand, just call me

Later posted by FordPowr
unless he wants a tow rig that has plenty of clearance to fit 38.5's then the x-member will need some attention. The diff on the 78/79 axle's is not offset nearly as much as the 86 up.


Here ya go:

Originally posted by Flatty
My truck is in needof a new front end. Every single busing is shot, as well as the ball joints, brakes,... So now I want to swap a Solid Front end in there because I want to lift it on some 35-37" tires.
Dimitri

And I still think he'd only need a couple inches of lift on a tow rig to clear the older diff and still have adequate room for tow rig suspension travel.

D44 into a 91 250. Easy, cut the one pad off move it out 1.5". The cast side, cut a spring pad in half and weld to tube and center section. Use 78 style ubolt setup. For steering use 78 style F-150 setup with center link and drag link to goes into it. Then either use the F-350 springs. Then get fancy and add the shackle reversile for the lift to fit 35s. Replace the 2" block with 4" and it will set the same front to back.

Yes the center section will clear the crossmember, if you use the 350 springs.

If you like to hunt around at the yards, grab a set of superduty springs(97 and back 2wd). They will net you between 6-8" lift.

Sounds like a man who has done it.:beer: :smokin:




Eric