'79 bronco Dana 44 front end questions for ya

[heapxj]

Ok so I've heard different things about a '79 axle. Something about weak tubes and cast mounts. How does this differ from a '78? Is the cast mount actually cast over the tube to render one rigid piece? Or is it a cast mount that is sleeved over the tube and welded on? The only reason why I need to know is because I want to cut off the inner knuckle and shorten the tube. The cast mount is right in the way of where I want to shorten the axle. would a '78 axle be easier to work with or built stronger in any way?

 

[heapxj]

I found this:


http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44.htm

Thanks

 

[Fullsizexj]

you will have to replace the whole tube to narrow it

 

[old_man]

Full width is not bad. It is easy to do and costs a ton less.

HP44 front, LP44 rear

 

[heapxj]

Ok so I've learned so far that the passenger side is worthless to me. Is there tube available somewhere that I could buy and weld into the pumpkin and weld on the inner knuckle? Something with the correct inner and outer diameter? Anyone done this?

 

[old_man]

The tube is available. Getting the old tube out is an exercise. You end up doing a bit of grinding. Probably the hardest thing is to get the whole thing lined back up so you can weld it.

 

[JLane99XJ]

The tube is available. Getting the old tube out is an exercise. You end up doing a bit of grinding. Probably the hardest thing is to get the whole thing lined back up so you can weld it.

and welding to the Cast center section of any housing doesn't make for tyhe strongest weld..
basically a big plug on the end of the tub in the holes of the casting is all that holds it from twisting..

i'd leave it full width, use ford-style radius arms on the cast mounts with heims at the frame mounts and then hit the trails

 

[heapxj]

yeah but I have a y-link so have to make new mounts and teh cast stuff is in the way. Anyone know if the F250's have this cast portion?

 

[sintax]

the F250s do not have the cast portions, but they DO have the drivers leaf perch cast into the pumpkin.

You can find some pics of my junk and see what i'm talking about.

 

[cal]

Here is a f250 44, with the cast mount

 

[heapxj]

I think I can work with that one alot easier.

 

[VegasAnthony]

why not just find a 78 ford f150 D44 with the radius arm mount welded on , disk brakes and 411 gears, ..

I only paid $117 bucks locally :wohoo:

 

[heapxj]

If you have welded radius arm mounts, it's older than a '78

why not just find a 78 ford f150 D44 with the radius arm mount welded on , disk brakes and 411 gears, ..

I only paid $117 bucks locally :wohoo:

 

[xjbubba]

'78 & 79 have the cast radius arm mounts. I have seen a write-up that discussed cutting the tubes, internal sleeving, and welding on new tube to the desired length. This approach seemed more doable to me than re-tubing at home.

 

[VegasAnthony]

yea ok sounds fair
now what years came with the welded on mounts and disk brakes???