D44 tech info please f150 D44 and f250 D44

[Tito]

Alright, a few questions tonight to get my brain wrapped around it. Feel free to shoot me in the right direction if you have a link too.

Anyways, tell me the difference between the D44 full size axles (solid axles from 1976 up) and the D44 axles from f250's with the 8 lugs.

I know a few things, with the wedges and leaf springs, etc but what about the outer C's, knuckles, spindles, hubs, rotors, calipers, lockouts, etc. Where do these differ?

 

[Bronco Brian]

look up Mr.n I just came from his web page you will find your info plus more
Here you go

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

Brian

 

[Hoppy]

beside the 8 lug vs 5 lug the c's out should inner change
some 8 lugs may have drive flanges

 

[broncnaz]

It should just be the knuckles that are actually different but even then I believe you can put D44 HD knuckles on a regular D44. Everything from the knuckles out should be heavier duty ie bigger spindles bigger backing plates with calipers bigger rotors, bigger bearings and bigger hubs. Check out MrN's article he breaks it down better than I can. http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

 

[76Broncofromhell]

HD's are also low pinion, leaf sprung, and you can tap the passenger side knuckle for a high steer arm (driver's already has studs on it).

I see no real strength advantage in them the only real benefit over an F150 axle is 8-lug nuts and larger bearings, spindles and brakes. There's no axle shaft strength advantage if that's what you're after.

 

[Tito]

HD's are also low pinion, leaf sprung, and you can tap the passenger side knuckle for a high steer arm (driver's already has studs on it).

I see no real strength advantage in them the only real benefit over an F150 axle is 8-lug nuts and larger bearings, spindles and brakes. There's no axle shaft strength advantage if that's what you're after.

Thanks guys, I read through all of Mr. N's stuff this morning, lots of info!
I was kinda curious if the larger u-joints would fit in the HD outers, trying to figure a way to strengthen that area.

Is there any way to get larger outer shafts without going to a 60?

If you go to a 609 housing how hard is it to get ahold of 60 outer parts, what is the availability of them?

 

[76Broncofromhell]

There are plenty of companies who make aftermarket D60 parts. PartsMike, Dedenbear, Crane, Sunray, ETC. I would do a search on Pirate and Google as to what you are after.

 

[mr.n]

Thanks for the links!

Is there any way to get larger outer shafts without going to a 60?

Nope.

And I've tried! Even bought a Dana 50 TTB axle shaft to try, and talked Bobby Long out of doing a CV shaft for the Dana 44.
Your on the right path, if you need stronger axle shafts/u-joints then the 60 stuff is the cheap why to go.