76 Dana 44 8 lug 3/4 ton front axle

[tempefd]

Wondering if someone might know alittle more about a front axle I picked up the other day. It was in a 76 3/4 ton 4X4. It is the big hub 44 with the chrome spicer hubs with the red plastic knobs that say "Ford". I bought the same axle 2 years ago and put it in my 71 3/4 ton 4x4 to get the disc brakes. It was a very easy swap with the low pinion and the brakes are much better than the drums. I found another one on Sunday and was under the truck pulling it out at our local yard when a so called 4x4 expert stopped by to chat. He told me that these axles are complete "junk" and are very weak. He stated that they are very weak, always break and have 1/2 ton axles and gears inside. He said it was a Ford attempt to save money and it is actually the same axle that came in the F100 without the radius arms. He said if you pull the front cover you will see the small gears and small axles. He said he has seen several either break the axles or the housings which are weak also. I was going to drop it into my 71 crewcab 4x4 which has the closed knuckle drum 44 in the front right now. I wanted the disc brakes and I think it turns a little better than the drum front. Is the junkyard expert right or should I go ahead with the axle swap and forget about what he thinks? I bought the axle complete with the leaf springs for $175. Thanks for the help and advice.

[averagef250]

They're a great axle. Not real sure what the expert basis his opinion on, the 76-77 Ford 44's are built with some components that are beefier than the same "HD" 44 used under GM and dodge pickups in the same era. There's nothing weak about them, they use the largest axles and knuckle joints used in a 44 axle.

[Gittinwidit]

It is a Dana 44? And it is indeed the same as a half ton. But the only stouter axle is the Dana 60 and that will cost you about 10 times as much as this axle at a junkyard. The stub shafts are stouter on this axle than a 78-79 D44 for they are cut spline, not forged. The only thing a 78-79 D44 has on it is the high pinion gears. The tubes on this axle is thicker than the 78-79. But your drum axle has bigger u-joints. Depends on what you are doing with it but it will hold up fine to 3/4 ton abuse with no greater than 35" tires.

I have 3 of these axles with no complaints... Except for rareness!

[PancakesandSausage]

Wondering if someone might know alittle more about a front axle I picked up the other day. It was in a 76 3/4 ton 4X4. It is the big hub 44 with the chrome spicer hubs with the red plastic knobs that say "Ford". I bought the same axle 2 years ago and put it in my 71 3/4 ton 4x4 to get the disc brakes. It was a very easy swap with the low pinion and the brakes are much better than the drums. I found another one on Sunday and was under the truck pulling it out at our local yard when a so called 4x4 expert stopped by to chat. He told me that these axles are complete "junk" and are very weak. He stated that they are very weak, always break and have 1/2 ton axles and gears inside. He said it was a Ford attempt to save money and it is actually the same axle that came in the F100 without the radius arms. He said if you pull the front cover you will see the small gears and small axles. He said he has seen several either break the axles or the housings which are weak also. I was going to drop it into my 71 crewcab 4x4 which has the closed knuckle drum 44 in the front right now. I wanted the disc brakes and I think it turns a little better than the drum front. Is the junkyard expert right or should I go ahead with the axle swap and forget about what he thinks? I bought the axle complete with the leaf springs for $175. Thanks for the help and advice.

This "expert" was obviously not an expert. If these axles were "complete" junk, the big three wouldn't have used them under their trucks for years. It is arguable whether they are as "weak" as the 1/2 ton axles. Some say yes, others say no. Still doesn't take away from the fact that it is a stout axle in its own right, especially if you are not running huge wheels and tires. The reason many "experts" look down on it is because it is always being compared to the Dana 60, and whenever it is being replaced, inevitably it is for a Dana 60.

[cep62]

Maybe he was trying to scare you away ,so he could buy it later ?

[KRob]

My thought as well...he was probably after it...but you got it first.

[harrysnyder]

Nothing at all wrong with a 44 front. Just don't expect it to be what a 60 is, just because it's 8 lug. You did real good for $175

[orich]

My understanding about this axle is great as long as you don't run much bigger then 35-37" tires plus no jumping tricks to show off or the weakest part will give out that being the lower "King pins" But all hear say that gets posted..
orich