Is the HD 44 Dana front axle any good?

[cancow]

I found a HD 44 from a 78' with disk brakes and a high pinion. Would this be a simple swap? I have a regular 44 under the truck that needs some work, so would it be worth the upgrade or is it better to fix what I have? Can parts be found for the HD 44? Dana 60's out of my budget from what I have been finding.

[averagef250]

There wasn't an HD44 offered in 78. There was the 44 in lighter GVW trucks and the HP60 in the heavier GVW and special package ones.

There were a light and heavy duty closed knuckle 44 under Fords, the heavier version being much better than the anemic light duty one.

[cancow]

Why do you say there was not one and then say there was a heavy duty closed knockle 44 in the next sentence?

[averagef250]

The last closed knuckle 44 was used in 75.

For each model year when the disc axles were being produced there was only ONE 44 axle available. For most years of the closed knuckle axles there were light duty and heavy duty versions of the Dana 44 offered.

Lots of parts available for the 78 axle.