Flat top Knuckles - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

TN William · 06-15-2002, 04:41 AM

I have searched and found a lot of info but not an answer.

I have a D44 from a 79 Bronco that I am putting in a Jeep buildup. The knuckle appear (to me at least) to be flat top. Neither is tapped but they do have a flat mounting surface. I am thinking about drilling/tapping these knuckles for a high steer setup. Are there any problems using these knuckles?

John Deere Ranger · 06-15-2002, 09:20 AM

The tops are FLat and from what i have been told... YEP they are Flat tops... and you have to set them up as you said.

Mr.N · 06-17-2002, 03:43 PM

Nope, those are not the flat top's you heard about.
Yes, you "could" make them work.

If I was you I'd search some more, you'll find all the answers you need here. Heck I posted a picture of a Factory passenger side flat top that was drilled and tapped from the Dana!

TN William · 06-18-2002, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr.N
Nope, those are not the flat top's you heard about.
Yes, you "could" make them work.

If I was you I'd search some more, you'll find all the answers you need here. Heck I posted a picture of a Factory passenger side flat top that was drilled and tapped from the Dana!

Yes, I "can" make them work. Drilling, tapping, and fabbing the arms is a simple job. That wasn't my question.

Here is where "use the search" doesn’t work because sometimes the answers aren’t there. I have read everything I could find on here about Dana 44 knuckles. I saw everything you had posted, including the pic. The knuckle you pictured was of questionable origin but most likely Jeep. However, I am interested specifically in using the knuckles on the Ford axle that I have. I am interested in response from people who have used these knuckles to build their high steer.

Rogue Bronco · 06-18-2002, 03:37 PM

I've got the same knuckles and am wondering the same thing. A guy I know has the same knuckles, he used a grinder wheel to "mill" the top flat, used the Chev. steering extention thing to lay out the holes, then he drilled, tapped, and installed some hi-steer arms to them. He said he had enough room underneath to put a nut on the bottom of the stud/bolts he used.

FordPowr · 06-18-2002, 07:17 PM

If it's the stock knuckles they are not the same as "flat top knuckles" everyone is reffering to.

Rogue Bronco · 06-18-2002, 10:43 PM

I know they are not "THE"'flattop knuckles', but they are flat on the top an can be shaved flat very easily. I'm wondering if there is enough meat on the top to go for it. That way I don't gotta change my knuckles, caliper & bracket, or spindle to the (dare I say it) chev stuff.

Mr.N · 06-19-2002, 08:11 PM

Yes, you "can" make them work. Search a little harder, there is a link to a site where an EB guy made a set work. The Ford F250 has a much better knuckle for flat top than the Bronco, any year. However the "real" flat top knuckles have and enboss on the bottom made for haveing a hole in them. That's the differance between the real and not others.

66CJdean · 06-20-2002, 09:28 PM

Yes they are flat but no they arn't the same as the Chevy/Jeep ones that everyone uses. They arn't quite as thick where the studs go but they are plenty thick enough to use. The problem is that you will have to make your own jig because everyone who does them is setup to Chevy/Jeep ones and not the large register 5 bolt Ford ones. If you planned on doing them yourself then get busy

06-15-2002, 04:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
TN William Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10283 Location: Kingston, TN Posts: 98	Flat top Knuckles I have searched and found a lot of info but not an answer. I have a D44 from a 79 Bronco that I am putting in a Jeep buildup. The knuckle appear (to me at least) to be flat top. Neither is tapped but they do have a flat mounting surface. I am thinking about drilling/tapping these knuckles for a high steer setup. Are there any problems using these knuckles?

06-15-2002, 09:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
John Deere Ranger Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11111 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,019	The tops are FLat and from what i have been told... YEP they are Flat tops... and you have to set them up as you said. __________________ 1987 John Deere Edition Ranger Dana 60 Sterling 10.25 Rear 5.0 HO/ZF/NP203/NP205 Secretary of Navy Gideon Wells wrote n his diary that Lincoln "thought it essential to provide an asylum for a race which he had emancipated, but which could never be recognized or admitted to be our equals."

06-17-2002, 03:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mr.N Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1635 Location: Minne-so-cold Posts: 3,961	Nope, those are not the flat top's you heard about. Yes, you "could" make them work. If I was you I'd search some more, you'll find all the answers you need here. Heck I posted a picture of a Factory passenger side flat top that was drilled and tapped from the Dana! __________________ Proud Catholic \| My Dana Articles and Info -> http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

06-18-2002, 03:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rogue Bronco Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10622 Location: Vancouver Posts: 400	I've got the same knuckles and am wondering the same thing. A guy I know has the same knuckles, he used a grinder wheel to "mill" the top flat, used the Chev. steering extention thing to lay out the holes, then he drilled, tapped, and installed some hi-steer arms to them. He said he had enough room underneath to put a nut on the bottom of the stud/bolts he used. __________________ '85 Bronco III

06-18-2002, 10:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rogue Bronco Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10622 Location: Vancouver Posts: 400	I know they are not "THE"'flattop knuckles', but they are flat on the top an can be shaved flat very easily. I'm wondering if there is enough meat on the top to go for it. That way I don't gotta change my knuckles, caliper & bracket, or spindle to the (dare I say it) chev stuff. __________________ '85 Bronco III

06-18-2002, 07:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
FordPowr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Member # 2139 Location: Shingle Springs, CA Posts: 1,072	If it's the stock knuckles they are not the same as "flat top knuckles" everyone is reffering to.

06-19-2002, 08:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mr.N Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1635 Location: Minne-so-cold Posts: 3,961	Yes, you "can" make them work. Search a little harder, there is a link to a site where an EB guy made a set work. The Ford F250 has a much better knuckle for flat top than the Bronco, any year. However the "real" flat top knuckles have and enboss on the bottom made for haveing a hole in them. That's the differance between the real and not others. __________________ Proud Catholic \| My Dana Articles and Info -> http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

06-20-2002, 09:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
66CJdean Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2000 Member # 940 Location: Lincoln, Ca Posts: 6,398	Yes they are flat but no they arn't the same as the Chevy/Jeep ones that everyone uses. They arn't quite as thick where the studs go but they are plenty thick enough to use. The problem is that you will have to make your own jig because everyone who does them is setup to Chevy/Jeep ones and not the large register 5 bolt Ford ones. If you planned on doing them yourself then get busy __________________ WWW.PCRYO.COM Deep Cryogenic Tempering Service Find all my products at www.KICKASSOFFROAD.COM 916-434-6978 Custom Axles built to order. Got 40 spline? I have the hubs, spindles, and axles you need to kickass! Custom Hummer wheels and centers Axle Resplining

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