Dana 30 or Dana 44 for Disc Brakes

[tonytony9]

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of doing some front end work. I need to replace track bar bushings, tie rod and redo the c-bushings (wrong degrees and I installed incorrectly when redoing all my suspension). Since I will have the thing mostly apart, I want to take the time to do a disc brake swap up front only.

I have been reading a bunch of the threads online. I can't decide if its better (strictly cost efficiency wise) to do the swap on my existing dana 30, or look for a used dana 44 with existing disc brakes.

Buddy has a Dana 44 w/ 3.55 & disc brakes out of a 79 f150. Would I be able to swap this entire assembly into my 70 Bronco?

What other options do I have? I am trying to avoid spending the ~$800+ on swaping disc brakes onto my Dana 30. I do not wheel this rig. Its a street cruiser that I would love to be able to get more pep out of down the line for the highway (will be rebuilding the motor later this year).

 

[Broncobowsher]

The '79 F150 axle will be full width. If that is your plan, it can adapt in pretty easy. Looking at your profile picture, that bronco looks really stock, than that F150 axle will be a poor choice. It is a lot wider than what a Bronco is.

Just because you have a '70, no telling what has happened in the past 55 years. Look at the knuckles. If the top of the knuckle has 4 small bolt heads, you have the Dana 30 axle and the '79 brakes will NOT fit. If it is a single large nut on the ball joint, the '79 brakes will bolt to the axle but there will still be some tie rod issues.

Or do the GM based brakes and it won't matter if you have a 30 or a 44, they fit the same. I have not priced GM disk brake kits in years, thought they were still way less than $800

 

[serial car restorer]

I have not priced GM disk brake kits in years, thought they were still way less than $800

They currently range from $620-850 from the usual suspects, plus shipping which is considerable. I've considered rolling my own kit, but getting all new parts is more attractive.

 

[SteveL]

Look for a stock eb 44 housing and swap the full width parts to it

 

[tonytony9]

The '79 F150 axle will be full width. If that is your plan, it can adapt in pretty easy. Looking at your profile picture, that bronco looks really stock, than that F150 axle will be a poor choice. It is a lot wider than what a Bronco is.

Just because you have a '70, no telling what has happened in the past 55 years. Look at the knuckles. If the top of the knuckle has 4 small bolt heads, you have the Dana 30 axle and the '79 brakes will NOT fit. If it is a single large nut on the ball joint, the '79 brakes will bolt to the axle but there will still be some tie rod issues.

Or do the GM based brakes and it won't matter if you have a 30 or a 44, they fit the same. I have not priced GM disk brake kits in years, thought they were still way less than $800

They currently range from $620-850 from the usual suspects, plus shipping which is considerable. I've considered rolling my own kit, but getting all new parts is more attractive.

Look for a stock eb 44 housing and swap the full width parts to it

Thank you for the information. I am going to give Nick @ NE Ford a call to discuss some options, and pick ups to avoid that nasty shipping bill.

Here are some photos of my front end. Definitely a D30, I have the four nuts. My Bronco is DEAD stock/original all the way through and through.

My goal is to increase performance and on-street drivability. The drum's work decent, but I want power brakes. Power steering, ehhh not really a want. I have a really decent shake, around 55-60 mph. My toe is bad, but need a new tie rod to attack that. My caster is too low, wrong c-bushings. I want this thing to drive more smoothly at 70 on the highway. I currently have all new suspension components, hardware, buckets, straps, leafs, coils, bilstein shocks, ect... all stock ride height.

 

[tonytony9]

 

[DirtDonk]

I have a really decent shake, around 55-60 mph.

Lots of things can cause it. A few more can allow it to be more noticeable.
A lot of things to check.

My toe is bad, but need a new tie rod to attack that.

Have you tested how bad they are?
If they’re only a little bad, why not just adjust your toe in? You can still adjust it even if it doesn’t stay perfectly consistent.

My caster is too low, wrong c-bushings.

They were already too low from the factory because of manual steering. Worked OK back then, but could be better.
I forget if you said if the bronco was lifted? Still stock?
Lack of caster is probably not causing the shimmy shimmy shake.
How old are the tires? Not miles, but age.

I want this thing to drive more smoothly at 70 on the highway. I currently have all new suspension components, hardware, buckets, straps, leafs, coils, bilstein shocks, ect... all stock ride height.

Should help a lot. Especially the shocks. But tires and alignment are also a huge part of this.

Have you performed the steering test yet?
Just to see what all is loose?
And don’t forget wheel bearings in all this. Even the ones in the rear!