: HD Dana 44 front ????
TTURokToy 09-27-2002, 11:33 AM My brother just picked up a HD Dana 44 from a ford for his SAS on his 98 Z71.
He said it is 8 lug and has flat top knuckles. I've been searching and looking around and can not find any steering arm that is built for this axle. Its always chevy knuckles.
Are these knuckles the same??
Will a chevy steering arm fit a ford knuckle?
Old Scout 09-27-2002, 11:54 AM A 44 is a 44 is a 44
All 44s use the same arm!
Chebby,IH, Ford, Jeep, or dodge, 3/4 ton or 1/2 ton
YELLER BLAZER 09-27-2002, 11:55 AM Of course as long as the "flat top" has the same shape most of the HD Ford stuff is the same as GM but there were a few exceptions, as far as the steering arms go. Unless you got one of the "bastard axles" regular stuff will work fine. Just look and see if it looks like a GM style flat top then there is no problem.
66CJdean 09-27-2002, 04:02 PM The Ford flap top is different than anyone elses but the Chevy arms will work just fine. The problem is finding someone to mill the top because they run 5 blot spindle and have a much larger register than the other 44's.
NE-RokToy 09-27-2002, 04:56 PM Originally posted by 66CJdean
The Ford flap top is different than anyone elses but the Chevy arms will work just fine. The problem is finding someone to mill the top because they run 5 blot spindle and have a much larger register than the other 44's.
if this is an issue it may be worth hitting a junkyard and pulling knuckles out off of an 8 lug chevy (wouldnt take to long just brake loose the ball joints)
66CJdean 09-27-2002, 05:29 PM Originally posted by NE-RokToy
(would take to long just brake loose the ball joints)
What do you mean?
NE-RokToy 09-27-2002, 05:56 PM Originally posted by 66CJdean
What do you mean?
oops meant wouldnt take to long. I'm just saying if the ford style flat tops arent as readily machined I would think it may be worth considering swapping to chevy 8 lug and chevy knuckles.
TTURokToy 09-27-2002, 06:04 PM Well, Off-Road Unlimited has a crossover steering kit that comes with a new passenger side knuckle, but they want 850.00 for it.
Not sure how good of a deal that is for a new knuckle, steering arm, pitman arm, draglink, and a steering arm spacer.
Here is the kit:
http://www.fp.1dev.com/footprint/offroadunlimited/dana44.gif
What do yall think?
BTW, we are using the ORU SAS kit and he is going to a Dana 60 rear.
TTURokToy 09-27-2002, 06:08 PM Just realized, you said the HD 44 uses a 5 bolt spindle and that knuckle uses a 6 bolt.
jdjanda 09-27-2002, 06:47 PM Originally posted by MudYoTa
Just realized, you said the HD 44 uses a 5 bolt spindle and that knuckle uses a 6 bolt.
Drill it, not that hard to do
TTURokToy 09-27-2002, 06:52 PM Originally posted by jdjanda
Drill it, not that hard to do
True, but is that kit even worth 850?
mudtruck44 09-27-2002, 06:53 PM Back to the main issue here - Yes the Chevy arms will work with the Ford knuckles.
Oxjockey 09-27-2002, 07:01 PM And if you're going to take the Chevy knuckles, just use those spindles & everything else you need.
Bryan
Originally posted by NE-RokToy
if this is an issue it may be worth hitting a junkyard and pulling knuckles out off of an 8 lug chevy (wouldnt take to long just brake loose the ball joints) No stock Chevy axle with 8 wheel lugs ever came with flat top knuckles. That is a 1/2 ton thing.
Originally posted by Old Scout
A 44 is a 44 is a 44
All 44s use the same arm!
Chebby,IH, Ford, Jeep, or dodge, 3/4 ton or 1/2 ton
Chevy uses a different arm than Ford.
66CJdean has it right, agian, on Ford having a different knuckle.
66CJdean, are all Ford flat tops 5 bolt? I know in some years Ford used 5 bolt and 6 bolt for the 1/2 ton's.
Nobody 09-29-2002, 06:38 PM Originally posted by Mr.N
No stock Chevy axle with 8 wheel lugs ever came with flat top knuckles. That is a 1/2 ton thing.
I have an 8 lug axle in my garage that says otherwise. The knuckles are even reamed from the top from the factory. Came from a 73 suburban.
The Rockslut 09-29-2002, 06:47 PM Originally posted by Mr.N
No stock Chevy axle with 8 wheel lugs ever came with flat top knuckles. That is a 1/2 ton thing.
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH! Yeah right. So what did they do for steering then????????????????
They didnt always have BOTH knuckles with flat tops but at least the driver side ALWAYS was a flat top with 1/2 or 3/4 solid axle trucks.
Originally posted by Mr.N
No stock Chevy axle with 8 wheel lugs ever came with flat top knuckles. That is a 1/2 ton thing.
The hell they didn't. The only difference between an eight lug Chevy 44 and a six lug Chevy 44 are the outers beyond the knuckles and the size of the axle tubes. I have a '73 and a '76 eight lug 44 sitting in my shop. Both have flattops on both sides.
Old Scout 09-29-2002, 08:55 PM Originally posted by Mr.N
Chevy uses a different arm than Ford.
66CJdean has it right, agian, on Ford having a different knuckle.
66CJdean, are all Ford flat tops 5 bolt? I know in some years Ford used 5 bolt and 6 bolt for the 1/2 ton's.
Pull your head out. The arm maybe different but the bolt a pattern is the same.
TTURokToy 09-29-2002, 11:09 PM Does anybody know if a 15" wheel will fit on the HD Dana 44?
and will 15" wheels fit over a FF dana 60 with drums??
Originally posted by Mr.N
No stock Chevy axle with 8 wheel lugs ever came with flat top knuckles. That is a 1/2 ton thing.
Ok, I wrote some bad info. It's the spindles for swapping bolt patterns that I was thinking of. But I've yet to see a 3/4 ton with both knuckles factory drilled and tapped for studs.
Originally posted by Old Scout
Pull your head out. The arm maybe different but the bolt a pattern is the same. What? I think you miss read.
I will not say if the top of the knuckle 3 hole pattern is the same for Ford as Chevy, as I've not have both knuckles with steering arms at the same time to try and cross fit. My guess is they are.
BUT what I was talking about is the number of bolt holes holding on the spindle.
Oxjockey 09-30-2002, 04:22 AM Originally posted by Mr.N
But I've yet to see a 3/4 ton with both knuckles factory drilled and tapped for studs.
What applications DID have both knuckles drilled & tapped?
usmcdoc14 09-30-2002, 05:27 AM to add to the confusion fullsize jeep trucks (J20) also are 8 lug rim dana 44hd with flat top knuckles and i have a set of dodge flat tops that are 6 stud spindle (but i think the brakes are diffrent not sure)
this might give you more options looking
or just confuse shat more
4Bangler 10-01-2002, 05:59 AM Wow, could any more confusing information be added to this thread?
Yes, regular Hysteer arms meant for Chevy knuckles will bolt up to the Ford 3/4 ton HD flat top knuckles, but, with those kuckles you're stuck with the factory dual piston calipers and no 15" wheels unless you get really really happy with the grinder and even then it would be tough. The 1/2 Ford stuff will bolt up to allow 15" wheels, but the caliper doesn't clear the knuckle, the 1/2 tonners had a big recessed area in the knuckle. I think you could cut the flat-topped knuckles to work with 1/2 ton brakes, but it may weaken the knuckle, so I'd look for Chevy or Jeep flat-tops and run GM eight lug stuff from the knuckles out, makes running 15" wheels a lot easier.
You should be fine running 15" wheels in the rear.
TTURokToy 10-01-2002, 10:23 AM would 2" backspaced wheels fit with some grinder work?
As for steering, going with shakerbuilt.com stuff.
Originally posted by MudYoTa
Does anybody know if a 15" wheel will fit on the HD Dana 44?
and will 15" wheels fit over a FF dana 60 with drums??
The drums won't be much of an issue. You'll likely need to grind the calipers on the front & don't use too much backspacing.
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