Is a 1976 F250 D44 a good axle?

[Desert Thrasher]

I am thinking of going full width and was looking at axles. I found a 1976 F250 D44. It has ball joints and open knuckles. I don't need c's because I want to build custom arms. I know the f250 axle has 8 lugs, but I was wondering if the knuckles could be swapped out for F150 5 lug knuckles?
I think it is low pinion though. How much better is the high pinion?
Its cheap, only $200, but would it be worth it?

 

[thegreatjustino]

250 is going to be a leaf spring front end. Something to consider.

 

[shamu]

1976 will be a low pinion front axle if it has the big giant locking hubs.

 

[broncnaz]

I think there are better options out there. while it will work as you said its a low pinion which has its drawbacks in a front axle bascially the low pinion means it drives on the coast side oof the gear which is the weaker side plus the low pinion doesnt help driveshaft angles any. The hi pinion was designed so the the gears worked on the strongest side while driving. Not real sure in actual strenght differance tho.
On the flip side Im pretty sure you can swap on 1/2ton spindles backing plates and rotors on to the F250 axle and get your 5 lug pattern back again. Also I thinik the F250 D44 is a little wider than a F150 D44 so rear axle choice may be a little fuzzy.
Overall I dont think its really worth the money I'd want a hi pinion axle in any case.

 

[Desert Thrasher]

Yeah I thought as much. I will keep looking. Theres a few 78-79 d44s on craigslist but I dont want to use the stock C wedges so they won't do.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[quikdrummer]

Yeah I thought as much. I will keep looking. Theres a few 78-79 d44s on craigslist but I dont want to use the stock C wedges so they won't do.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

find a 76-77 with welded wedges and cut those bad boys off

 

[bmc69]

78 and up F-250 will have the high-pinion 44.

 

[Desert Thrasher]

Good too know Bmc69, I will add it too my list to look for. Thanks.