Dana 30 vs Dana 44 track bar

[bsquared]

Hey All,
Okay, I got a tip from 70_Steve to whack driver's side tie rod off, have threads machined onto the rod and get a second pass side end to make up for the approx 3" wider 76 knuckle width. So, I think I'm past that hurdle.

Now I'm struggling to understand why my Dana 30 and Dana 44 have different track bar mounts on them?! All of the vendors are showing it's the same track bar for 66 - 75 regardless of which diff they had.

Both axles have the same threads, but my D30 clearly has a "shoulder" and the D44 does not. I'm looking at an adjustable one from Tom's if I do have to replace it. Anyone know why a 70 w/ a Dana 30 would be different than a 74 w/ a Dana 44?

Thanks for the help! B2

 

[70_Steve]

Both axles have the same threads, but my D30 clearly has a "shoulder" and the D44 does not. I'm looking at an adjustable one from Tom's if I do have to replace it. Anyone know why a 70 w/ a Dana 30 would be different than a 74 w/ a Dana 44?

I don't remember them being different. And, looking at your pictures, that "shoulder" on the Dana 30 almost looks to be a sleeve that is normally inside the bushings. See if you can remove it. (vice-grips to the outside and twist!).

FWIW. I used my Dana 30 track bar when I installed the 76 Dana 44 along with a 2 1/2" suspension lift, and the differential wound up being almost perfectly centered. You may not need an adjustable trackbar.

 

[clarrance]

The trac bar on a D30 is different than a D44. Under full compression the D30 trac bar will hit the D44 housing. And yes like previously mentioned that looks like the sleeve from the old bushing.

 

[bsquared]

Good Lord, life is hard when you're (meaning me) stupid!!

What a goob am I. It came right off. Thanks Steve....that solves that friggin mystery! Allrighty then...now it looks like all I have to do is have that tie rod cut and machined in the right spot and add a new end to it. Man, thanks for your advice......now I'm almost done! Cheers, B2

 

[SteveL]

X2 on the dana 30 trak bar hitting front cover on a 44. I think all the aftermarket adjustable ones are built to clear the 44.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The D30 track bar hitting the D44 diff cover is roughly 50/50 odds. Sometimes they clear or just barely touch. Sometimes there is no chance of clearance.

Don't get a '76/77 track bar, the frame is slightly different on those years.

Doing a lift? A track bar riser bracket on the axle will allow the D30 track bar to clear the D44.

 

[bsquared]

X2 on the dana 30 trak bar hitting front cover on a 44. I think all the aftermarket adjustable ones are built to clear the 44.

Thanks guys....I guess that'll be a wait and see item. It still looked like it had a good bit of clearance, but was only halfway into a left turn. If it does end up hitting, I can always swap it out then. (just a bit over budget on this project!)

Just dropped off the tie rod at a machine shop and they're going to thread it for 100 bucks. (pics to come) Pass side tie rod end coming from a vendor (pinche Monday delivery!), so I've got that part lined out. Man I wish that sucker was showing up on Friday. ;-)

Thanks for all the tips and ideas. I'll be putting in a proportioning valve this weekend and re-bleeding the brakes. Looking forward to seeing how the discs perform w/o hydro-boost. Will post results once I get the linkage put together on Monday eve. Thanks, B2

 

[bsquared]

Got the tie rod back from the machine shop today and they did a real nice job. I'll get it installed Monday and then I'll know if the track bar is going to hit the D44 front plate. (fingers crossed)

 

[DirtDonk]

now that your tie-rod is going to be fully adjustable, don't forget to keep the center section oriented the way it was originally, so that the draglink attaches at the same angle as before.
In other words, kind of a 45 degree up-angle, as opposed to facing straight forward, or straight up.

Common pitfall.

Paul

 

[bsquared]

Thanks DirtDonk!
Yes, that problem reared it's ugly head when I first tried to adjust the original setup to fit as it was. I was able to spread the single adjuster out enough to get the wheels straight, but saw that moving where the drag link hooks up messed everything up.

Appreciate the heads up!

 

[bsquared]

Got er in w/ no problems. Still have to do a little more adjusting to get full turns in both directions, but have room on both sides to git 'er done. Wife and I took her for a test drive last night and I can romp on the brakes and it barely pulls to passenger side. Used to fight it with the drums.

Sorry for the lack of pics, but here's some kitty porn for ya! Took in a stray cat about 6 months ago and that cat has GREAT taste in vehicles.