Fabled Dana 30/44 Hybrid

[DirtDonk]

Yeah me too. Heard those a lot, but they can't be the only reason though, as we know at least two people that bought theirs new and never had any warranty work, or made any special orders for anything.
Or at least were not aware of anything. If it was done by the dealer, at the dealer, prior to the first sale, that could still be considered a warranty item but not done by the retail purchaser.

Paul

 

[House]

I think a lot of those HD 30's must have came through Ken Roggy Ford.
They were one of the biggest accessory dealers around and you could
buy your trucks new with everything you wanted already installed...

 

[DirtDonk]

Kind of the Yenko and Baldwin Motion of the Bronco world then!;D

Paul

 

[Arker]

Well, I finally took a wire wheel to the axle tube and this is what I found:

The BOM is only partial, thanks to a weld that appears to run around the entire tube. What I was able to research about the partial "6029" is that, as far as front ends go, many Bronco Dana 30s started with this number, and some F-series truck Dana 44s started with this number.

There is also a weld on the driver side, indicating this may be a home built franken-axle. This had to be done by the first owner prior to 1972. Either he managed to break both sides and fixed them, and it is a true Bronco 30/44 hybrid, or he made his own 44 and never mentioned it. I'm leaning toward the latter.

Now the new question is, do I want to rebuild and trust this axle (it has lasted 45+ years so far), or find a replacement when I go to completely replace the suspension and convert to discs?

 

[DirtDonk]

I guess it would depend on what you're going to do with it, or how hard it is to find any parts that might be unique to the older style (meaning kingpin stuff).
If you're going to run it in the desert with 37's I'd probably just get a new heavy-duty built setup. If you're just going to play gently with the old girl, and do casual wheeling or messing around town in the summer, then I don't see any reason to retire the old one as long as it's good.

Might double check how true it is when you get to that point, just to make sure you're not dealing with something that's a little off even though it worked.
If nothing else then, you'll also have a real conversation starter for those in the know.;D

Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

Looks like a good stick welding job. Not going to condemn it but agree with Paul's advise above.

 

[migs]

I actually have one of these front axles sitting in my garage at the moment. It came out of a Bronco project that I'm currently working on, but this particular Bronco appears to have been pieced together from multiples so no telling which parts came from where.
I found the numbers stamped on the axle tube as well as took some pictures of some other casting numbers for those who are interested. I haven't opened it up yet but do plan to sometime in the near future.
The numbers stamped in the tube appear to be:
10 30 9A4 - 10 30 9B8 - 603177 1

As far as the axle tubes are concerned I have found that Bronco Dana 44 tubes are larger the the 30 tubes, 2-3/4" compared to 2-1/2". the hybrid axle I have here has the smaller Dana 30 axle tubes.

Here's the pictures...

 

[Arker]

Really interesting, I can't find that BOM you have anywhere.

 

[crab]

I just purchased this ‘70 and this is what I found

 

[okie4570]

I just purchased this ‘70 and this is what I found

Mythical creature spotted once again! lol. What's the build month on your 70'?

 

[DirtDonk]

Interesting cover too. Kind of old-school-cool.

Paul

 

[crab]

Mythical creature spotted once again! lol. What's the build month on your 70'?

Built 8/69
Starting to work on the new project again. Just pulled the 3sp and dropping in a C4. I was told it had a built 289 and does have the C5AE-6015E casting and 289 Edelbrock performer intake. Runs strong so probably just do a quick tune.

 

[DirtDonk]

I actually have one of these front axles sitting in my garage at the moment. It came out of a Bronco project that I'm currently working on, but this particular Bronco appears to have been pieced together from multiples so no telling which parts came from where.

Hey Migs, I never asked what year the Bronco project is. Did the axle come out of a '68 through '70 model, or something else?

Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

I just purchased this ‘70 and this is what I found

To go with Migs statement above, is that axle a 2½ or 2¾" axle tube?
Any chance of finding the BOM on the tube?

 

[SC74]

How many spindle bolts are on these 44 king pins? I'm trying to identify a set of king pins now and think this might be it.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The 44 king pin is the same standard 6-bolt pattern as the 20 king pin and the 44 drum brake. Only after the 44 disk brake did the spindle change to a 5-bolt pattern.

 

[SC74]

The 44 king pin is the same standard 6-bolt pattern as the 20 king pin and the 44 drum brake. Only after the 44 disk brake did the spindle change to a 5-bolt pattern.

Interesting. Mine is 5 bolt spindle king pin.

 

[jamesroney]

Hey Migs, I never asked what year the Bronco project is. Did the axle come out of a '68 through '70 model, or something else?

Paul

So I finally ran across one of these in a very original 69 Bronco. I got lucky because the original tag was still attached to the cover. It's a C9TA - EU. (4.09) I could not find the C9TA-EU part number in the MPC.

Also worth noting that the Bronco has an Export DSO (90xxx) Rear Axle code of 5 which is 3300 lb 4.11.

I would post pictures, but I'm not paying the $10.00 per year. Maybe somebody can sponsor me...

 

[toddz69]

So I finally ran across one of these in a very original 69 Bronco. I got lucky because the original tag was still attached to the cover. It's a C9TA - EU. (4.09) I could not find the C9TA-EU part number in the MPC.

Also worth noting that the Bronco has an Export DSO (90xxx) Rear Axle code of 5 which is 3300 lb 4.11.

I would post pictures, but I'm not paying the $10.00 per year. Maybe somebody can sponsor me...

Very cool - would love to see pics. I'll send you a note with my email and then I'll post them for you...

Todd Z.

 

[DirtDonk]

Could it be as simple as the "EU" standing for Europe? Maybe they were initially intended for export (as in your case with the export DSO) but some either were not sent out where expected, OR they were simply needed to cover a shortage of front ends during that time.

Paul