78/79 HP44 housing strength?

[SYRacing]

I've heard some people say that the 78/79 HP44 housings are junk. The axle tubes are paper thin and break. They say to use a snow plow prep 44 front from a 78 or 79 because it is more robust...any truth to any of this?
I've seen tons of people use the 78/9 crap without any problems...hmmmm

[VerticalTRX]

I don't know the axle tube thickness on my '79 HP D44, but its held up well so far. I've been wheeling the rig for almost a year now, and I've really hucked the rig a couple times. Axle tubes are still straight.

[Rattlecan]

This looks pretty thick to me...

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/hottoy...r/axletube.jpg

[MudOnTheTireS10]

I believe the earlier weld-on radius arm wedge housings are thicker.

[95steel]

Mine is slightly bent.

[68crawler]

If you can find a 78/79 3/4 ton F-250 D44 axle, they have 1/2 inch thick tubes.

[leadmic]

Its the half ton and bronco axles that have the problem (IE cast end pieces and thin tubes) not the three quarter ton stuff.
Leadmic

[4XFORD]

The 'snowplow prep' must refer to the Snowfighter package, which included a Dana 60 front axle.

[samnelso]

The 78/79 HP44 tubes have 1/2" walls. I have found, on the three 78/79 HP44's I have had, that the rosette welds that hold the tubes to the center section are prone to cracking. The tube then moves in the center section, making the fit looser and looser until it catastrophically fails or fluid starts leaking out between the tube and the center section. I recommend carefully inspecting the factory welds for cracks. If any cracks are found, thoroughly grind out the weld and re-weld. I have found this works. That is the only issue I have had with the 78/79 HP44 strength.

-Sam

[SYRacing]

awesome info guys.

Thanks!

[Halogrinder]

Originally Posted by samnelso

The 78/79 HP44 tubes have 1/2" walls. I have found, on the three 78/79 HP44's I have had, that the rosette welds that hold the tubes to the center section are prone to cracking. The tube then moves in the center section, making the fit looser and looser until it catastrophically fails or fluid starts leaking out between the tube and the center section. I recommend carefully inspecting the factory welds for cracks. If any cracks are found, thoroughly grind out the weld and re-weld. I have found this works. That is the only issue I have had with the 78/79 HP44 strength.

-Sam

i have this happening to mine .

i have notice oil dripping from the plug welds up on the cast part of the diff. its not leaking thru the tube/center section part, but thru the plug weld its self. there are two big holes on the front of the diff, that im going to make new rossettes too.

[jopes]

Originally Posted by 68crawler

If you can find a 78/79 3/4 ton F-250 D44 axle, they have 1/2 inch thick tubes.

the 77 and older F-150 axle housings are pretty much a direct bolt in to a 78/79 bronco. no castings where the radius arms go.

78/79 housings work, but are not as strong as the 77 and olders.

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by Rattlecan

This looks pretty thick to me...

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/hottoy...r/axletube.jpg

hey that's mine

[jr4x]

If you jump it in the tough truck competition it is my personal experience. That the tubes held just fine. it was the cast center section that broke in two. Right through the middle of the pinion through hole. The C section came completely in two. So to make the next run we yanked the gears and scabbed it back together. With as much iron as could pack in there and weld up. Its now a two wheel drive but it held the next 50 ft jump. Still no bent tubes. Oh yeah its a 78 3/4 ton HP 44.