F150/F250 D44 differences?

[kholding]

I know the F250 is an 8 lug axle and the F150 if 5 lug. Are the housings any different other than the c-wedges on the F150 axle (width, knuckles, etc...)? I guess I want to know if I can use D44 from an early F250 (just the housing) and just re-weld the C-wedges to it? Thanks.

 

[OX1]

I know the F250 is an 8 lug axle and the F150 if 5 lug. Are the housings any different other than the c-wedges on the F150 axle (width, knuckles, etc...)? I guess I want to know if I can use D44 from an early F250 (just the housing) and just re-weld the C-wedges to it? Thanks.

Up through 77, they were low pinion, but yes you can cut off perches and weld on C's.

 

[broncnaz]

They are supposed to be slightly wider than the F150 axles as well not sure how much but at the point your at does it really make a differance?

 

[fungus]

F-250 should have the larger dual piston calipers as well.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I don't think the 4WD F250 ever came with radius arms. So no C-wedge option.

 

[shamu]

I have changed 2 44 fronts with 5 lug rotors to 8 lug rotors. The axles were never changed, but I had to replace spindles,caliper brackets, dual piston calipers and bearings.
Both axles were high pinion.
As long as it is a 44 the pieces will change 5 to 8 or 8 to 5.

 

[kholding]

So I can take knuckles out from my '76 F150 D44 and put them onto a '77-later F250 and have the same axle? I am looking into options for other donor vehicles for a new housing since the housing I got might be a little bent. I was planning on moving the c-wedges to EB width (I understand you don't have to but liked that method).

 

[shamu]

So I can take knuckles out from my '76 F150 D44 and put them onto a '77-later F250 and have the same axle? I am looking into options for other donor vehicles for a new housing since the housing I got might be a little bent. I was planning on moving the c-wedges to EB width (I understand you don't have to but liked that method).

The F 150 Dana 44 and the F 250 dana 44 use a 5 bolt spindle.(and they have a different bearing and seal size).Both axles have to be high pinion.
If you have any question ring me 972 754 9210

 

[Broncobowsher]

So you are looking at building a D44 from parts.
Do you want a high or low pinion?
My understanding (after being ripped a new on on pirate) is you can't get a full sized Ford low pinion D44.
But a high pinion can be used by only shortening the long side to make things easier. The short side is withen ½" of a Bronco anyway. The high pinion is great if you have lift, not so great if it is down close to stock height.

 

[cheapthrillb2]

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/index.htm

 

[kholding]

Yes Bowsher. I would like to use all the parts from my current axle, just need a new housing. Would like to stay 5-lug and the same width as my full width 9 inch rear.

 

[kholding]

Finding the first '76/'77 F150 D44 was difficult enough. I was hoping there were a few other models I could search for that would work for the same application. Figured if the F250 housing was the same high pinion D44, I would be removing the leaf spring perches anyway to re-weld the c-wedges to the EB width. Might make my search a little easier.

 

[mattt]

Do you want a high or low pinion?
My understanding (after being ripped a new on on pirate) is you can't get a full sized Ford low pinion D44.

I had never seen a low pinion, full width 44 in a Ford either.....until last weekend at the junkyard. It was in a early to mid 70's Econoline van that had a Bronco style C4 & D20 transfer. It was really a wierd combo of parts, but it looked close enough to factory that I don't think it was home built. Was there a "Quigley" type company making factory style 4wd vans in the 70's?

Not only was it full width....or damn close, definitely wider than Early Bronco.....it was also 8 lug on drums, open knuckle. No leaf springs in front, it had Bronco style radius arms and springs. I went back to snag the trans and transfer case, but someone beat me to it. It was gone, but the front axle was there as of last Saturday.

Oh yeah....it had twin sticks on the 20 also....but those looked kinda home built.

 

[Pedestrian]

Pretty sure the pre 76 Dana44 were low pinion, they were closed knuckle though.

 

[siderbox]

I have a 76 F250. It's a low pinion open knuckle.
All the 250s in that era that I've seen are all low pinion.

Here's all the info you'll need. Well maybe not all, but alot of it.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_3.htm
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_3.htm

 

[357Bronco]

So you are looking at building a D44 from parts.
Do you want a high or low pinion?
My understanding (after being ripped a new on on pirate) is you can't get a full sized Ford low pinion D44.
But a high pinion can be used by only shortening the long side to make things easier. The short side is withen ½" of a Bronco anyway. The high pinion is great if you have lift, not so great if it is down close to stock height.

I don't understand how you could get ripped on pirate. Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I have two Dana 44, low pinion, front axles. Both came from '76 F 250's.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I don't understand how you could get ripped on pirate. Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I have two Dana 44, low pinion, front axles. Both came from '76 F 250's.

I made a comment about a low pinion F150 D44. They were not nice about it.

You are referencing low pinion F250 axles, those are different then the F150 axles.

 

[OX1]

I have changed 2 44 fronts with 5 lug rotors to 8 lug rotors. The axles were never changed, but I had to replace spindles,caliper brackets, dual piston calipers and bearings.
Both axles were high pinion.
As long as it is a 44 the pieces will change 5 to 8 or 8 to 5.

On 78/79 F250 D44's, the knuckles are beefier and will not accept (fit) the single piston caliper. There is no indentation in the knuckle where the 1/2 ton caliper sits. So going from 8 to 5 lug on the F250 44 requires also swapping knuckles.

 

[kholding]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Looks like I'm going to stick to trying to find another '76/'77 F150 front housing to make sure I don't run into any swap problems.

 

[broncnaz]

You can use just about any F150/BB housing as they are all high pinion so you can get anys 70's axle and just swap on your knuckles. Its just that 76/77 had both disc brakes and welded on C wedges. Pre 76 axles are the same but have drum brakes.