hd44 axle disc brake conversion

[mybros71]

I've searched on here and been unable to locate a source of information on changing my front closed knuckle Dana 44HD axle over to disc brakes. It's on a 71 F-250 4wd. 3500#axle with factory drum brakes.

[averagef250]

Supposedly it's possible with chevy spindles-out, but your miles ahead to swap in a complete 76-79 axle.

[mybros71]

I think that's what we're going to end up doing. I just happened to have an open knuckle, 8 lug, Dana 44 with two flat top knuckles. It's out of an early Chevrolet. I wonder if the knuckles will bolt up to a high-pinion FS Bronco housing? I have one of those too. I don't like the thought of down grading the axle weight rating, but I want to have discs up front. Thanks for the info.

Tony

[Wes]

Not sure wether the chevy knuckles will work. The bronco axle needs coil springs and radius arms, your F250 4x4 has leaf springs

[mybros71]

I intend on adding the perches for the leaf springs. The axles are both Dana 44s and should have the same ball joint locations. I don't know. It seems like the later model axle is the way to go though. Now to find one some joker hasn't bought up to put under his pavement pounding Silverado.

[averagef250]

The DS perch will be right on top of the diff housing. That's why the perch is cast into all the leaf sprung axles.

[Doug Comer]

[mybros71]

Adding a perch to the housing is not that difficult. If I can scrounge a later model complete axle, that'd be much less challenging. The problem is, I'm a tight wad and have most of the stuff to use the highpinion. I am going to spend some time to try to find the later model axle so there's less fabrication. If I can't find it or the price isn't right, I'll get to modifyin'. Thanks for the input though. I really appreciate it.

Tony

[Garbz]

http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/i ... l#balldisc

A source to convert the closed 44HD

Garbz

[mybros71]

Thanks Garbz. I knew I had heard of such a place, I just couldn't find it.