Drums to disks, older D44

[1970Custom]

Searched, didn't find what I was after, if you know of a thread for this topic point me that way please.

Have a drum D44 and would like to make it disk, how easy or difficult will it be for me to accomplish????? I've been told on the older drum axles that it's more involved than on later axles. Can anybody confirm that?

[1972hiboy]

I dont think the 67-72 d44s can be made into disc. I think the open knuckle d44 is what you want to use disc brakes on.

[cep62]

F100 or F250?

[1970Custom]

I dont think the 67-72 d44s can be made into disc. I think the open knuckle d44 is what you want to use disc brakes on.

I know that's the ideal axle, but being a welder by profession I'm not opposed to cutting off the ends and swapping to the ideal parts. That and money is a bit of a factor....

F100 or F250?

Half ton.

[cep62]

The easiest way is to swap an axle from a '76-'79 F150.
The 78 -79 have better tie rods and don't forget the diagonal track bar.

If you have ball joints you can swap the knuckles .
if you have king pins you can piece it together with (cough cough) chevy parts, spindles and brackets and Ford hubs. I haven't done this so you'll need to do research.

I also heard independent TTB F150 parts can work.

The '76 -'79 axle has a bigger U joint.

[stldesign]

Just did this on our 69 f-100 4x4.

Ditch the old dana 44!

Get both the front and rear axle as you need matching gears front and back. 3.50 gears are popular in the mid to late 70's trucks. The front pretty much bolts in but brake lines are different. Rear will have to have spring perches and shock mounts moved out. Also you will need new u-bolts. We went with larger diameter. Had them custom made from St. Louis Spring.

We lucked out and ended up with a traction lock unit on the rear 9". Also the 9" rear is considered heavy duty housing as its not the round 9" you see in 50' and 60's fords. It extends out to meet axle tube about a foot on each side for more support.

Did you know the rear axles wheel mounting face to face dimension is narrower in the rear than the front on the early trucks? The later 70's axles are the same width front and back. (Same width as bumpsides front axle)

[HIO Silver]

I dont think the 67-72 d44s can be made into disc. I think the open knuckle d44 is what you want to use disc brakes on.

I researched this issue when i first got my 73 4x4. I compared PNs btwn disc D44s and drum D44s and also got to thinking early Broncos also used drum D44s and discovered there were kits to upgrade them to discs. Based on my research, the swap requires disc knuckles and spindle shafts - Basically everything from the knuckles outwards.

Read this for info: http://www.bcbroncos.com/frontbrakes.html