I got a lead on a front D44 for $100-150. What is the diff. between a HD and regular D44? He said the only diff. was the spindles - HD he said was 8 lug. Is this right? I would love to score a front 44 for $100 but was waiting for a HD44. Thanks!
HD D44 question
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HD is BS...the only difference between 1/2 ton D44 and 3/4 ton is the outers. 3/4 ton has the 8 lug outers. You can run 15" wheels on the 3/4 ton version, but it requires some grinding of the calipers and backing plate to clearance...
100 bones is a decent price for a D44.
Rene
100 bones is a decent price for a D44.
Rene
Well like Brandon said there is a difference but really it doesn't make a difference because the weak link on a D44 is the 297s and they both run em...I would say get it if it will work for your app...especially for 100 bones <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
Well, if anyone cares I have a 1-ton D44 out of a pre 73 chev. And YES they did make them. The only difference is the Joints have no needle bearings, hence the strenght for the 1-ton. I have one and will sell it for 200 if you want it! <IMG SRC="smilies/pissed.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0">
<IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">
Damn - That's some good sh!t you're <IMG SRC="smilies/smokin.gif" border="0">
No factory GM 1-ton 4x4 until 77. Anything earlier was done by a conversion company like Napco, Fabco, Marmon-Herrington, Pathfinder, whatever. Either that or its homebrew.
Sounds more like a heavy service package for a 3/4-ton - perhaps military.
My 44 was paired with a D70 rear! They only put them in 1 tons. Anyway, I don't see any special markings on it or anything. But for the QUES. at hand, I'd just go with the reg. 44 and order 3/4 ton outers for it. They both are about the same strength, but like I said, it's just the needle bearings, there is none. So just go regular 44. The u-joints for the HD are way expensive and hard to find!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/pissed.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0">
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How expensive and how hard? Do you have sources or part numbers? Are they Spicer joints? I've actually never heard of 297 size joints without rollers, other than what Jesse has been cooking up.
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There were a lot of HD 44 housing end up in 74's and 75. My 75 Jimmy had one. The Tubes are thicker but the problem is the same U-Joints and still the same failure point...when they housing fails it's usualy where the short side tube is pressed into the pumpkin. It will blow out the bottom of the housing and come off. Not much of a gain with the Tube thickness because that's rarely Wher you have a problem. Keep the truck on the ground and don't try to fly 6,000 lb of steel and you will probably never have a housing problem...probably.
The heavy-duty 44 front with 1/2" tubes etc. has 44-50F cast into the web (not 44-5F, this is a small-tube GM). I've also never heard of anything stronger than a 297 in a 44, except Jesse's new ones, but I do have some without needles - just that they've been ground into powder. Are you sure this isn't another 12-bolt front? <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">
Hmmm.. I blew mine apart on the long-side. 'bout two weeks ago.. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
'74 1/2T with the 0.5" tubes.
I even managed to break the carrier while I was at it! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">
I haven't broken the SMALL joint axles (at least, I think they were the small joint.. I'll know for sure when I replace the joint on the short-side before I put the new front end in) yet with 350hp/400lbs-ft, 4.88s, 31x15.50s and a heavy right foot.. I've broken a few spring packs tho'.
Only took 3860lbs to blow my front end apart. Still.. 3 years on an untrussed front end. It was a matter of time.
-Tom
We Race (and Break) Farm Equipment
Well - I got a front 44! It is a HD44 - has 44-50F cast in it <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">. I got it for $100 but it was missing a few parts. But I found them locally already.
I was looking through some 4x4 mags and a few shops list different prices for the 1/2 ton and the 3/4 ton ujoints. I also found a shop that sells complete axle assemblies with a lifetime warrenty. I'm going to look into that - it's around $550 for both sides complete.
Just thought I'd give an update! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
I was looking through some 4x4 mags and a few shops list different prices for the 1/2 ton and the 3/4 ton ujoints. I also found a shop that sells complete axle assemblies with a lifetime warrenty. I'm going to look into that - it's around $550 for both sides complete.
Just thought I'd give an update! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
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