Dana 44 Disk brake setup...

[reamer]

If I find a D-44 Disk set up for a F-150, Can the disk set up fit on the Bronco D-44?
How about a J**P D-44 disk set up?
Thanks

 

[DirtDonk]

The F150 or full-size Bronco ('78/'79) brakes are an "almost" direct fit for your 44.
The Jeep stuff can possibly fit, but there are variations to look for. But no Jeep Dana 30 stuff, or late model Jeep 44 is going to work that I know of.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

For the Ford stuff, you will need everything from the knuckle on out to the hub & rotor.
The steering linkage needs adapting, but parts are available off-the shelf to do that.

Paul

 

[reamer]

The knuckles are different from F-150 and Bronco? thought it would be a direct bolt-on..

 

[SteveL]

It's a bolt on other than needing tie-rod adapters. They're cheap from the vendors

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes, they're different. But not maybe like you think.
Doesn't matter if it's from a '76/'77 Bronco with disc brakes, a '76-'79 pickup with disc brakes, a '78/'79 Bronco with disc brakes, or a '66 to '75 Bronco with drum brakes.
The knuckles will all bolt up to each axle. The ball joints are the same part number over all of those listed vehicles and then some.
The differences are three:

1. The size of the spindle register (the big hole) is larger on the disc brake knuckles so the spindles do not interchange between them (hence the use of GM spindles in the "kits" that most of us sell)
2. The number of spindle bolts. Drum brake knuckles have 6-bolt spindles and disc brake knuckles have 5-bolt spindles. So there is a double-incompatibility here.
3. The location, angle and tapered hole size of the steering arms is different between them. The full-size truck and Bronco disc knuckles have steering arms that are lower and have larger holes than drum brakes they're replacing. The disc brake Early Bronco steering arms are higher, angled further outward and have smaller holes. So depending on what you pick up, you either need the tapered shims to fit your tie rod to a full size knuckle, or a longer tie-rod with smaller rod ends to fit the Bronco disc knuckles.
All of which are easily available off-the-shelf, and are relatively inexpensive. I say that even about the tie-rod, because chances are relatively good you're replacing the old one anyway.

The calipers, caliper mounting brackets, and wheel bearings are all common among them all.
The soft caliper hoses are different, but again readily available and probably need replacing anyway.

The Early Bronco knuckles are the least desirable as a swap, but the most desirable from an alignment and street driving aspect. But it's not worth the hassle usually, so the truck knuckles end up being your go-to swap parts typically.

Paul

 

[reamer]

Thank you! good info! will look on you website....

 

[DirtDonk]

Here are the shims to adapt your existing tie-rod ends to the F150/Big Bronco steering arms: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Tapered_Sleeves_for_F150_Knuckles/Custom_tie_rods
There are thicker versions too, for those that decide to flip their tie-rod over to the top of the arm (TRO, or tie-rod over).

If you end up with '76/'77 Bronco knuckles, here is the longer tie-rod with smaller tapers for that setup: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Tie_Rod_2way_Adjustable_7677yr/Custom_tie_rods

Paul

 

[sprdv1]

It's a bolt on other than needing tie-rod adapters. They're cheap from the vendors

fo sure...

 

[sprdv1]

The F150 or full-size Bronco ('78/'79) brakes are an "almost" direct fit for your 44.
The Jeep stuff can possibly fit, but there are variations to look for. But no Jeep Dana 30 stuff, or late model Jeep 44 is going to work that I know of.
l

and the cheby disc brake conversion is pretty popular too and works well

 

[SteveL]

If you got a 44 go with the ford stuff. Look into the t-bird calipers while you're at it

 

[68rustbucket]

What year t-bird are the calipers that fit the EB?

 

[DirtDonk]

It was a range, but I think we always use '76 as the model year for this stuff because it's easy to remember. Same year 2wd truck that the hoses come from for the truck calipers.
Remember the hoses for the truck calipers won't work on the large car "T-bird" calipers.

Paul

 

[Rustytruck]

The ford Bronco 76-77 knuckles puts the tie rod joints very close to the stock rim and can cause interference problems so use the 78 and later stuff for the conversion.

 

[dsw1976]

Is there a reason it has to be pre 80'? F150's ran a D44 upfront until 96', and it's getting hard to find older stuff "knuckles out". If I wanted to stick with Ford OEM can I adapt a 1980-1996 D44 to fit my 72'?

 

[DirtDonk]

Doubt it, but that does not mean it can't be done!
The knuckles, steering linkage and ball-joints were all different after '79 both in size and in spacing. So I'm pretty sure that the knuckles themselves would never willingly bolt on to a solid axle.

If you could somehow change the outer steering yokes to the size and design of the '80 and later model, that might make the job easier. But doing so would be a job-and-a-half in itself. Round tube vs rectangular tube, and all that malarkey.

Would be worth hunting around in the junkyard and taking some measurements, but I'm pretty sure you'd be spitting into the wind on that one.

paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

Is there a reason it has to be pre 80'? F150's ran a D44 upfront until 96', and it's getting hard to find older stuff "knuckles out". If I wanted to stick with Ford OEM can I adapt a 1980-1996 D44 to fit my 72'?

Yes, there is a reason. Ball joint design changed when Ford when to TTB. The TTB ('80 and newer) knuckles won't attach to a beam axle ('79 and prior). If there was a way to attach TTB knuckles than a disk brake swap would be super simple and nobody would be questioning it.

There are other oddities as well. Dodge D44? The SAI (kingpin inclination angle) is different. Pretty much impossible to get the camber correct. Jeep brakes is such a broad term. CJ, the little dana 30 parts? OR full size Dana 44 parts? Some of the full size stuff works, but you will often find it has the large bearing spindle ('77 and up GM size).

We have 30 years of parts scouring to make disk brakes work. If there was something that was plentiful, it would be known by now.

In reality there are only a few options that work. Not like more will be found.

 

[dsw1976]

Thanks guys, that makes a lot of sense. I really appreciate the insight.