Ford Axle Quiz

[RAM-ROD]

Ok I know this is sort of a mod tech thing. But a chapter member told me last night he was surprised I did not post this semi odd thing I ran across...lets see how odd it really is....1978 Ford F-150 Dana 44 HP with cast wedges.
The question is....what size tube did this axle come in?

 

[REWSTER]

BLUE!

 

[RAM-ROD]

I knew you would chime in....so Ford Mech what size tube did dana put in this axle?

 

[GoSlowGetStuck]

Ok I know this is sort of a mod tech thing. But a chapter member told me last night he was surprised I did not post this semi odd thing I ran across...lets see how odd it really is....1978 Ford F-150 Dana 44 HP with cast wedges.
The question is....what size tube did this axle come in?

The cast wedges make sense, pre-78 would be welded on and 78+ would be cast. I've read the early housings with the weld-on wedges are 2.75" and the later ones with cast wedges are 3". Right?

Did you run across one without 3" tubes? Since the wedges are cast in when the tube is made and were only cast into the 3" tubes, I'm curious what you found.

 

[BRIANHO13]

There is NO tube under the cast.

 

[RAM-ROD]

The cast wedges make sense, pre-78 would be welded on and 78+ would be cast. I've read the early housings with the weld-on wedges are 2.75" and the later ones with cast wedges are 3". Right?

Did you run across one without 3" tubes? Since the wedges are cast in when the tube is made and were only cast into the 3" tubes, I'm curious what you found.

Well the funny thing is everything i have read is that the cast ones were 2.75 just like the welded ones but 3.75 wall. The one i found is 3" X .250 wall. The build number also does not come up on danas site skips right over it.

Brian: Is correct as their is no tube in the castings.... hence why no one really wants these....this one is getting re-tubed being it was cheap and in really nice shape except for having cast wedges...

If the 3" x .250 is normal then we do not have anything that odd...from the research I did it looked like just the F-250 8 lugs were 3" x .25 but they had leaf springs....

 

[BRIANHO13]

Nothing wrong w leaving the cast wedges, I welded right to them, beat the crap out of the axle. It is still alive today under pat's rig.

 

[old_man]

That is the axle I have run for years. I just used a set of Ford Radius arms and adapted them. It works great. I wristed the passenger side arm but 90% of the time there is no need to use it.

 

[RAM-ROD]

Nothing wrong w leaving the cast wedges, I welded right to them, beat the crap out of the axle. It is still alive today under pat's rig.

I know Brian but I ahev the tools, shop and a professional welder who wants the project "for something fun to do" we are going to leave the stubs and sleave it ..will be a super strong 44

That is the axle I have run for years. I just used a set of Ford Radius arms and adapted them. It works great. I wristed the passenger side arm but 90% of the time there is no need to use it.

Tom I was the one that aske you about your set up i was thinking about doing that but i really like my Clayton long arem set up i have now

john

 

[Pat]

If you are going to re-tube it, are you going to narrow it?

 

[Fore Wheeler]

As you know, I've got the cast wedges with modified arms and I have beat the shit out of them for 8 years now. It's getting a truss now to hook the hydro steer to.

 

[POLAR_JEEP_04]

BLUE!

I mean green!

 

[RAM-ROD]

If you are going to re-tube it, are you going to narrow it?

Nope going to keep full width. with the offset of the wheels and new flairs I have the tires should not stick out to far. We just put that same two axles under a 97 that has no flairs and it's not really that bad with deep BS wheels. I have always wanted the wide stance...pics to come soon....