1977 Dana 44 High Boy disc swap

[triracer67]

Will the disc brakes on a 77 Ford High Boy fit on my Dana 44 front? They are both D44's, but I've read the bearings and hubs are larger?

thanks,
rob

 

[toddz69]

Ford had several different brake setups on the F250s in those years. Do the ones you're referring to have the large 2 piston brake calipers on them?

Todd Z.

 

[triracer67]

It does, it is also and 8 lugs. Can this be converted to the 5x5.5 normal lug pattern with different hubs?

 

[toddz69]

Yes, it's currently one of the few "big brake" options out there for EBs right now. You use the 76-79 1/2 ton/Bronco spindles and hubs and a late model Dodge rotor (which requires some machining). Writeup is here:

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techartic..._vintage_jeep_dana_44_big_brakes/viewall.html

It's written for Jeeps but also applies to Bronco Dana 44s. You're lucky that you've got the brake caliper brackets - they're the toughest piece of the conversion to source.

And I'm assuming you already have the 76-79 F150/Bronco knuckles on your truck or the 76-77 Bronco knuckles. If you still have drum brake EB knuckles, those will obviously have to be changed as well.

Todd Z.

 

[mofoco1]

Todd I wish I had known about this conversion before I did chucks big big caliper swap. One thing what's the smallest rim that you can use. The Vintage slots I have were probably intended for drum brakes as I had to flapwheel the calipers a slight bit to get them to fit properly. Happen to know if 15" will work. What is the diameter of the rotor, and what year Dodge is it off of? Mo

 

[toddz69]

Todd I wish I had known about this conversion before I did chucks big big caliper swap. One thing what's the smallest rim that you can use. The Vintage slots I have were probably intended for drum brakes as I had to flapwheel the calipers a slight bit to get them to fit properly. Happen to know if 15" will work. What is the diameter of the rotor, and what year Dodge is it off of? Mo

Mo:

Per the article, the rotor is from an '02-'11 Dodge 1500 2WD pickup. Original rotor dia. is 13.3" diameter and needs to be turned down to 12.75" to work with this conversion. You'll need 17" rims (16" may work depending on backspacing) for this to work. Good rule of thumb - rotor diameter + 3" minimum = wheel size required.

Todd Z.

 

[mofoco1]

TZ ever let the air out of a kids balloon? You just did! Too bad I could see me doing it on this build, but I have to keep the 15"s as they are period, unless I can find a set of 16" slots? This may be the ticket on the next pre-runner build as we are going to use 35"-37" so 17"s at a minimum anyway. You still have the bender to do the crossover pipes like the one you made me back in the day? Need a custom one done but in SS, I could provide the tubing and the $?.....Mo

 

[toddz69]

TZ ever let the air out of a kids balloon? You just did! Too bad I could see me doing it on this build, but I have to keep the 15"s as they are period, unless I can find a set of 16" slots? This may be the ticket on the next pre-runner build as we are going to use 35"-37" so 17"s at a minimum anyway. You still have the bender to do the crossover pipes like the one you made me back in the day? Need a custom one done but in SS, I could provide the tubing and the $?.....Mo

Yeah, I've been letting air out of my own balloon for years now trying to figure out ways to get things to fit - and they just don't. I don't know of any 16" or 17" slots - Karl Bradley has some on his buggy but I think the company that made them is no more or doesn't make them anymore in any case.

I always had the crossover pipes done by an outside party and he wouldn't do stainless :-(.

Todd Z.