D44 Outers Similar?

[JonnyK]

I have a '77 Dana 44 that's in pieces waiting to be built up. I also have a '79 9" that I was originally thinking of cutting down to use EB shafts. But now I'm thinking I might prefer to go full width to fit big tires (37"-40") without needing extremely offset wheels or wheel spacers. I need to buy new shafts, lockers, gears (basically everything) either way, so why not. A high pinion D44 will be stronger anyway.

So, question 1) is this: will the steering knuckles, spindles, brakes, etc. from my '77 work with a '78-'79 (or '76-'79 F150) housing?

Question 2) is: will the pinion centerline be in the same place, more or less, if the axle is centered under the truck?

Any insight is much appreciated!

 

[STLKIKN]

Welcome to the site Johhny...

To answer your questions...

1) yes the outers will work IF you use knuckles out on your conversion.

although I would be inclined to use the f.s. outers to keep things simpler.

ie, steering linkage, the EB uses a different size taper than the full size, meaning custom linkage throughout....

2) the pinion centreline will not be the same with a full size diff, it will be offset to the drivers side, most of the extra width (6") on a full size 44 was added to the pass side axle tube.

Other considerations you need to think of...

- spring mounts, the f.s. cups are ~6" further apart...

- radius arms, with the c-bushing wedges also being further apart, you should consider a long arm conversion to lessen the strain on the bushings at both ends.

- steering linkage, as mentioned, you will need some custom pieces, more or less depending on how you choose to convert your truck.

-track bar, you will need a (custom?) adjustable bar.

-how much lift you have or plan on adding may also dictate the use and fabrication of even more custom pieces... IE tie rod over/ high steer.

Good luck with you decision, let us know how your project goes....

Drew

 

[JonnyK]

Thanks for the response! So, just to clarify, if I use the '77 EB knuckles and all the other outer pieces, they should bolt onto the full width housing and work with the full width axle shafts?

I am planning on using some high steer arms and custom steering linkage, anyway. I am also planning on using James Duff "Stage 3 Tubular Long Travel Radius Arms." I was thinking that moving the axle wedges in to match the EB spacing might be a possibility?

I understand about the track bar, and was planning to go custom anyway. From what I've been reading here, the bushings wear out quickly and heim joints might be better?

 

[STLKIKN]

Yep the 77 EB stuff should work with the mods you mention...

but if you are planning all those mods, you should keep the EB diffs as a complete set, sell it for as much $$$ as you can get (disc brake EB diffs and big bearing 9"s are worth quite a bit) put all that new found cash back into your conversion...

I don't know about moving the wedges in, if you use a 78/79 diff, they are cast differently (part of the knuckle) and can't be moved, you will need an older (pre 77) 44, and I am not sure on when the high pinion diff came into use.

Broncoholics has some really good posts here on the site about his track bar and other conversions, you should search out all the old posts to get some good ideas...

good luck.