I need to replace the u joints in my EB and i bought the 297x from Six states, but they are alot bigger then whats in my EBs D44 right now. Are 297s only for aftermarket shafts or did i get the wrong u Joints? Any help would be appreciated.

what year is your EB? you may have a D30 frontend instead of a D44.

Yeah, your '69 EB runs a D30 front with stock 260x joints and shafts. To run the 297s, you'll need D44 shafts.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, I'm no EB expert.:flipoff2:

My 69 has a 30 in it right now. But i have a 44 sitting in my garage waiting for disk brakes ball joints and the new U joints. The 297s should be a direct replacement shouldnt they?

Depends what year the d44 is...I believe I heard tell that there were some D44's that used the 260 joint.

Could be talking out my ass though....

Originally posted by StoopidMonkey
I need to replace the u joints in my EB and i bought the 297x from Six states, but they are alot bigger then whats in my EBs D44 right now. Are 297s only for aftermarket shafts or did i get the wrong u Joints? Any help would be appreciated.
All U-100's (EB's) from 1973-1977.5 Dana 44 axles came with the axle shaft 660029. Thus they run the 5-260x u-joint.
71-72 Dana 44's ran the 904686 shaft, I'm not sure on the U-joint but I'd guess also runs a 5-260x u-joint.
68-71 Dana 30's ran the 902754 with the 5-260x u-joint.
67 Dana 30 ran the 901463 axle shaft with the 5-260x u-joint.

You can replace the short side shaft with a F100/F150 axle shaft to run the 5-297x U-joint. You'll need to trim up to 1" of the shaft depending on what year you graps the F100/F150 shaft from.

I thought '76-'77 EB 44s came stock with discs, 297x joints and shafts.:confused:

Well damn that answers that. I hope Six states will let me return them or at least exchange, i doubt i have a reciept anymore. :(

Originally posted by JS-Economos
I thought '76-'77 EB 44s came stock with discs, 297x joints and shafts.:confused: I've never owned a 76-77 with a Dana 44, or have taken one apart. My info is from a Spicer book on axles.

In all the EB's we have delt with, most being 76 & 77 all had 5-260x axle u-joints. The shafts can be upgraded w/ Warns to get the 297x joint.

Gotta agree with Mr.N here...several guys at NAXJA have swapped in EB front 44's and all were equipped with 260's.

The 74 EB 44 i had was 260 also.

I'v yet to see proof that ANY EB 44 came with 297's from factory.

Anyone have tips on a long side shaft that'll work in this axle?

Originally posted by MilspecXJ


I'v yet to see proof that ANY EB 44 came with 297's from factory.


Matt "farmermatt" Anderw -

71 - 75 were Dana 44's, but have drum brakes & small U-joint axles. Upgraded axles are available & disc brakes are easily had with junkyard parts from Chevy.

76 - 77 got the bigger U-joints & disc brakes. These are highly sought after & are rarely found

NAXJA - Early Bronco Axle Swap (http://www.naxja.org/html/techarticles/ebswap.html)

I'v seen Matt's write up...still not convinced. Espescially when Mr.N's post goes further in depth with evidence to dispute the 76-77 disc equipped 44's are 297 jointed.

He posted shaft PN's that verify the use of 260 joints thru to the end of this axles production.

Also...RockYJ states he's used several 76-77 EB 44's and were eqipped with 260's.

Beezil as another example. IIRC he used a drum brake EB 44 in his CJ6 (and now in his XJ). He had to order shafts as he was unable to find 297 EB shafts...is it because they may not exist?

Like i said...i just havent seen Proof that they exist.

Originally posted by MilspecXJ
I'v seen Matt's write up...still not convinced. Espescially when Mr.N's post goes further in depth with evidence to dispute the 76-77 disc equipped 44's are 297 jointed.

He posted shaft PN's that verify the use of 260 joints thru to the end of this axles production.

Also...RockYJ states he's used several 76-77 EB 44's and were eqipped with 260's.

Beezil as another example. IIRC he used a drum brake EB 44 in his CJ6 (and now in his XJ). He had to order shafts as he was unable to find 297 EB shafts...is it because they may not exist?

Like i said...i just havent seen Proof that they exist.

Thats more proof than I can submit.;) :D

I just checked my original shafts from 71...they are 260's. As for 76-77, I can't be sure. I wouldn't be surprised if the disc's were 260's too. On the other hand, that would be a logical time for Ford to step up to the 297. Keep in mind many shafts get upgraded through the years so it can be hard to be sure of anything from 76-77. There is an answer to this and I bet "Alpo23" can answer it.

Aplo23?

:rasta:

I just scored a 77 HP d44 from a F-150 and it does not have 260 joints. They are definetly bigger, so I assume they are 297s but I really don't know for sure. Of course this is for an F-150 not a EB so it may be different.

Originally posted by NOTPRETTY
I just checked my original shafts from 71...they are 260's. As for 76-77, I can't be sure. I wouldn't be surprised if the disc's were 260's too. On the other hand, that would be a logical time for Ford to step up to the 297. Keep in mind many shafts get upgraded through the years so it can be hard to be sure of anything from 76-77. There is an answer to this and I bet "Alpo23" can answer it.

Aplo23?

:rasta: Aplo23 has the same book I do from Dana. Spicer never sold a 297 U-joint in a U-100. You have to go to the Bronco II before to see it in a bronco. (Spicer calls the Full size 78-79 Bronco the Bronco II :) )

Originally posted by BrettM
I just scored a 77 HP d44 from a F-150 and it does not have 260 joints. They are definetly bigger, so I assume they are 297s but I really don't know for sure. Of course this is for an F-150 not a EB so it may be different.
Yes, the Early Bronco and F150 have different U-joints. See my article on the Dana 44 for a brake down. The F150 you have has 5-297x u-joints, get teh BOM and I can tell you more.

Originally posted by NOTPRETTY
I just checked my original shafts from 71...they are 260's. As for 76-77, I can't be sure. I wouldn't be surprised if the disc's were 260's too. On the other hand, that would be a logical time for Ford to step up to the 297. Keep in mind many shafts get upgraded through the years so it can be hard to be sure of anything from 76-77. There is an answer to this and I bet "Alpo23" can answer it.

Aplo23?

:rasta:


Ok, a couple of things. EB only came with -260x as confirmed by Mr N. However, the vaunted Spicer book is showing gaps in it's info. Subtle, but there none the less. Axle shaft part #'s for the '71/'72 U-100 EB D-44 are shown but the # is not listed on the Axle Shaft Dimension Chart. The '73-'77 are there but not the earlier #'s ( things that make you go 'Hmmmmmm')
And, interestingly, there are NO BOM's listed for 1972 F-100 & F-150. Maybe Ford did'nt exist for that Model Year. ( More 'Hmmmmmmm') :confused:
So, If you own a 1972 F-100, it just a figment of your imagination :flipoff2:

Eric

Yes ALL Early Bronco 66-77 broncos had 260 ujoints. 77-79 F150/broncos are the best short side axles to get- only have to trim about 1/4" off the end with a grinder.

www.completeoffroad.com sells F150/chevy combo setups with new Spicer ujoints for $199- good deal if you think about mismatching different years/makes of axles+ new ujoints + sending the long side inner to moser/dutchman/whoever to be cutdown and resplined for $50 plus shipping.

And on the 72' year model, that was the crossover year from D30-D44

Anyway- there you go, from a self proclaimed EB expert.........

Originally posted by 68BRONCO


And on the 72' year model, that was the crossover year from D30-D44



I was talking Fullsize F-100:p


BTW 1971 was the crossover year for D-30 and D-44 in EB. Running change as both D-30 and D-44 are listed with BOM for 1971.

;)

Eric

Originally posted by Alpo23

However, the vaunted Spicer book is showing gaps in it's info. Subtle, but there none the less. Axle shaft part #'s for the '71/'72 U-100 EB D-44 are shown but the # is not listed on the Axle Shaft Dimension Chart. The '73-'77 are there but not the earlier #'s ( things that make you go 'Hmmmmmm')
And, interestingly, there are NO BOM's listed for 1972 F-100 & F-150. Maybe Ford did'nt exist for that Model Year. ( More 'Hmmmmmmm') :confused:
So, If you own a 1972 F-100, it just a figment of your imagination :flipoff2:

Eric I've yet to see a 1976 Bronco II :rasta: