Ford Dana 44 wheel hub interchange.

[1sicbronconut]

I'm out of spares and need to order a wheel hub for a Dana 44, parts houses show a different hub for 76-77' Broncos and 76-79 F150's or 78-79' Bronco's. I'm pretty sure I've used either for builds before anybody know what the actual difference is between the two. TIA Steve

 

[thegreatjustino]

When you do the Chevy Disc brake swap to a Dana 30 or drum brake Dana 44, you can use the hub and rotor assembly from a 1976 to 1991 Bronco. I've used hubs and rotors I pulled at the local junkyard from 80s/90s Broncos on my Early Bronco disc brake conversions more times than I can remember. This tells me they're all the same. My $0.02.

 

[1sicbronconut]

When you do the Chevy Disc brake swap to a Dana 30 or drum brake Dana 44, you can use the hub and rotor assembly from a 1976 to 1991 Bronco. I've used hubs and rotors I pulled at the local junkyard from 80s/90s Broncos on my Early Bronco disc brake conversions more times than I can remember. This tells me they're all the same. My $0.02.

Thanks I figured they were all the same up till the early 90's or so.

 

[ntsqd]

When you get into TTB donors the spindles can be either the 5 bolt or the 6 bolt depending on the donor's year. Early are 5 bolt, then for a short time they were 6 bolt, then back to 5 bolt. '96 only has an odd inner bearing seal supposedly due to the ABS ring. Not sure if that affects the spindle's geometry or not, but it is a 5 bolt.
AFAIK all of the TTB wheel hubs, except for the '96, are the same.

 

[jamesroney]

When you get into TTB donors the spindles can be either the 5 bolt or the 6 bolt depending on the donor's year. Early are 5 bolt, then for a short time they were 6 bolt, then back to 5 bolt. '96 only has an odd inner bearing seal supposedly due to the ABS ring. Not sure if that affects the spindle's geometry or not, but it is a 5 bolt.
AFAIK all of the TTB wheel hubs, except for the '96, are the same.

What about the 1987 to May of 88 Bronco Dana 44 TTB with manual hubs? I know it used oddball hubs, but I thought it got a special spindle too?

 

[ntsqd]

At this point I've seen nothing conclusive about those hubs, but I've not had a need to really dive deep either.

 

[toddz69]

What about the 1987 to May of 88 Bronco Dana 44 TTB with manual hubs? I know it used oddball hubs, but I thought it got a special spindle too?

I think those oddballs look like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3557858664...d=link&campid=5335857059&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

Todd Z.

 

[ntsqd]

That is very odd looking. Clearly a hub for those spindles isn't going to fit a "normal" spindle.

 

[thegreatjustino]

I think those oddballs look like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3557858664...d=link&campid=5335857059&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

Todd Z.

That makes me feel like less of a man...

 

[1sicbronconut]

I think those oddballs look like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3557858664...d=link&campid=5335857059&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

Todd Z.

Odd balls for sure! Those used the "hat" style locking or auto hubs like the smaller Fords with Dana 28 and Dana 35's. If I remember correctly I converted a few of those because the parts were obsolete and you had to replace the knuckles as well. I actually found a spare out in the barn after all it was hiding in my stash of spare Dana 44 knuckles I actaully researched Dana 44 TTB's quite a bit when I did the 5x5.5" conversion on my 92' Explorer retaining the Dana 35 knuckles.

 

[Steve83]

...the hub and rotor assembly from a 1976 to 1991 Bronco.

The Bronco hub & rotor were the same from '80-92 (and maybe earlier - I'm not familiar with pre-'80) except '87-early '88 with factory manual locks.

When you get into TTB donors the spindles...are 5 bolt, then for a short time they were 6 bolt, then back to 5 bolt.

IDK how early the 5-hole spindles were used, but '80-91 are 6-hole.

'96 only has an odd inner bearing seal...

It actually appeared in late '95, before the '96MY.

...due to the ABS ring.

That appeared in '93; the seal is a separate factor.

Not sure if that affects the spindle's geometry...

Yes, the seal takes up some space, so the spindle has a step, and the hub is shorter.

(click this text)

AFAIK all of the TTB wheel hubs, except for the '96, are the same.

No, '80-92 (exc.'87-88man) are the same; '93-96 have the surface machined for the tone ring but are otherwise interchangeable with '80-92; 5/95-96 use the double-lip rolling-diaphragm seal and are shorter on the backside.

What about the 1987 to May of 88 Bronco Dana 44 TTB with manual hubs? I know it used oddball hubs, but I thought it got a special spindle too?

Yes, the spindles & hub/rotors (they're 1 piece - not separable) are specific to that design. This is the hub/rotor that goes on the spindle that Toddz linked above:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OBJ4D8/?tag=classicbroncos-20

...had to replace the knuckles as well.

I don't remember any difference in the knuckle or stub axle shaft; I think only the spindle & hub/rotor go with the tophat manual hub lock.

(click this text)


It's just a whole lot quicker, easier, & cheaper to scrap the whole TTB and put in one with the normal hubs.