DANA 30 ? How do i tell what i have....

[Moxie69]

I've searched but cant find the answer i'm looking for. My '72 was converted over to an automatic at some point in its previous life. One of my "wants" this year is to get a front disc brake conversion kit. After reading the instructions on the brake install I understand i need a Dana 30. I've crawled under her and can't find anything that would id the thing. How can i tell what front i have ?Thanks for the help guys.

 

[House]

http://www.broncohio.com/tech/dana30dana44.html
Not sure why it would need to be a D30?

 

[Moxie69]

I'm not sure either House. The conversion kits i've been looking at specify Dana 30 or 44.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Some time before halfway through the '71 model year the front was changed from the Dana 30 to the Dana 44.
So an original '72 model front would be a Dana 44.

There are several ways to convert a Dana 44 to disc brakes.
There is only one way to convert a Dana 30 and that way also works with a Dana 44.

The easy way to identify a Dana 30 at a glance is the sides of the cover are straight vertical and the top and bottom of the cover are round.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Dana 30 disk brake conversion is the same that will work on a drum brake Dana 44. I put one on my 30, blew it up, got a 44 and transferred the disk brakes off the 30 onto the 44.

So there is no reason to need a 30.

 

[Moxie69]

So it sounds like one of those conversion kits from WH would work either way. Appreciate all the input.

 

[Pops68]

I think Tom's and Bronco Graveyard will work with either a Dana 30 or 44. The ebay kit will, too.

Check them out.....shipping may make them cheaper for you IF they will work on a 30. All the kits have differences, but are basically the same overall components.

I bought a kit from a guy in Oil City, Pa. this fall - originally came from somewhere in Pa. Is supposed to work on either a 44 or 30.

Pops

 

[okie4570]

IMO the pumpkins don't look anything alike. Otherwise, 44 has a single castle nut on the knuckle, where as a 30 has 4 small ones.

 

[Seventee]

If you want to know for sure anyway, post up a pic or two.

 

[Broncobowsher]

IMO the pumpkins don't look anything alike. Otherwise, 44 has a single castle nut on the knuckle, where as a 30 has 4 small ones.

44 usually has a single big nut on top, but not always. They did build some king pin Dana 44 axles for Broncos. Not common, but they do exist.

Big nut (ball joint) is a 44
4 small bolts on a plate (king pin), usually a 30. Check the cover shape to be sure.