Ford Dana 44 posibilities

[Merc69]

OK Ford Dana 60's are rare and expensive at least down here. I found a Ford Dana 44 for $300.00 I am weighing the advantages and disadvantages of using this until a D-60 can be located. I would have to regear but would most likely not put a limited slip or locker into this front end.

Let me know what you guys think...thanks

Advantages:
1 - Already set up for spring over
2 - Width for stability with the accompanying lift
3 - Less expensive to rebuild
4 - Set up until I can locate at ellisuive free Ford D-60 :D

Disadvantages:
1 - Not as strong as a 60
2 - Not as cool as a Dana 60

Questions:
1 - Will the front end survive 37 or 38's
2 - Can a high steer be used on this front end
3 - Other things I have not thought of

[ June 12, 2003, 09:36 AM: Message edited by: Merc69 ]

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I thought the Ford used Coil springs and control arms on their front ends? Not sure I do not know much about Fords. Either way sounds like a lot of $$$$ for a D44.

[bentpushrod]

The D44's found on 1/2 ton fords have coils and radius arms. But the older 3/4 tons had d44's and leafs. One very nice thing is the ford d44's are reverse cut high pinion units.

[FSJeeper]

$300 is top dollar. Around here they go for between $100 and $200.

37" to 38" tires will sooner or later toast the Dana 44 if you wheel hard.

For the high price of $300, to have to regear, all the setup hassel, for something you are going to break anyway does not seem the route to go.

Wait and get a Dana 60 or find the post from KYJ10 who has a line on brand new Ford Dana 60's for less than $1000.

[River Beast]

do it right the first time.... wait til you find a D60...

I toasted both f&r D44's with 38's they were smiling.... I was locked with 4.89s' and it was just way too much tire for the 44's.....

I spent alot of money on the 44's and have less in my 14FF and D60.... so I have spent ALOT of wasted money.... FSJeeper said it best.

[Merc69]

Thanks guys...I guess I will keep looking

[scotty]

ill hafta agree with the above. while the rev cut R&P are stronger,they are not really enuff stronger than the 44 you allready have up front to make it worth the cost.

however,of you find one cheap,or get a whole ford parts rig for cheap that you can sell other stuff off of, it may be worth the effort since it is allready SOA,alittle wider,and alittle stronger.

id definately try and avoid spending alot of $$ on a locker or gears. try and find a used set for one or the other axle and live with them alittle higher than youd like until you fina a front 60.no harm in running a 44 for awhile,just dont spend a bunch a $$ on it that will be wasted when it comes time to upgrade. save the locker and gear money for the axles that you are sure will be around awhile

having said all that,im still running a 44 up front,and i beat on my rig pretty hard. smile.gif im still having good luck with the 44,but that will likely change whenever i can get a transfer case to stay together ;)

as was said,alot of it will depend on your wheeling style. if you area "make it or break it" kinda wheeler,youll be replacing it sooner than later. if your a finesse driver and pretty careful and deliberate 99% of the time,it my hold up pretty well for you

my $.02 anyway...

[FSJeeper]

Originally posted by scotty:
having said all that,im still running a 44 up front,and i beat on my rig pretty hard. smile.gif im still having good luck with the 44,but that will likely change whenever i can get a transfer case to stay together ;) My, my, my, Scotty, you have certainly changed your opinion of the Dana 20 tcase these days. Could it be I was right all along in those lively Dana 20 strength flamers we had a while back?

Face it, the Dana 20 was an upgrade over the Dana 18 designed for low powered 4 cylinders. In 1962 they designed the Dana 20 for the more powerful Tornado 6 cylinder engine which is not powerful by todays standards. The Dana 20 is barely adequate for a FSJ and not at all when modified with bigger tires, lower gears, more power, etc.

ROTFLMAO, and you have a 6 cylinder and moderate size tires and can't keep a Dana 20 alive!

Hey, have not forgot about the 1 ton stuff for you, just no time to tear it all down and ship.

[rockjeep44]

dana 20=doggie poo poo

[orangecherokee]

here's a quality photo of a d20...

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/gatherings/d20shear.jpg

[FSJeeper]

Originally posted by orangecherokee:
here's a quality photo of a d20...

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/gatherings/d20shear.jpgROTFLMAO! Start another thread with that pic and the virtues of the dana 20!

[blt2krl]

AH hell that **** will buff out. LMAO

[porkchop]

I personally like my D20. I have had nothing on the 20 itself break just the adapter. Now I have a novak adapter that I will be installing so that should cure that. Remember anything can be broken to include the infamous 205 :D .

[scotty]

well kids,im still running a spicer 18-im stuck with it cause of my pto. id forgot id changed my sig awhile back with the intention of swapping in a d20 :eek:

and im still waiting for someone to explain why im destroying gears instead of twisting off my 10 spine output shaft,or the cheesy front output coupler :confused:

sooooooo,i wouldnt say ive changed my opinion of the d20. i still havent formed it yet ;)

thats cool on the other stuff,whenever you get time :cool:

[River Beast]

My D20 held up over my D44 axles......I'm content for now... but a NP205 or NP208 or D300 would be nice (hint, hint) ;)

[Panther]

Wow that output is ugly but I have a question....

Did the output go before or after the welds on the spring perches broke?

Not that it really matters because it shoudln't have snapped like a pretzel rod but could have resulted from severe driveline angle(s)?

Edit: Oh yeah 300 it too much, regearing is about 600 in itself so that 44 quickly becomes a grand. Take your time and find a 60 with youring gearing at a reasonable price.

[ June 14, 2003, 05:52 PM: Message edited by: Panther ]

[82wagonlimtd]

I had a 79 Bronco with 44 front and ran 39.5's and never had a problem....went through 2 sets of tires. BUT it was in south texas on the beach and the highway...not rocks.

Andy

[orangecherokee]

the output shaft went before anything took place. it was the first of many many problems.

[Panther]

Ok, that elinimates that as a cause....

{resume Dana 20 bashing}

[orangecherokee]

just a reminder, if anyone needs a d20 i have 2!!! they go for real cheap smile.gif

[porkchop]

You are selling them now? The output shaft is on it's way. Check your PM's.

[orangecherokee]

if you remember PC, that was what i was originally doing. right now i have a QT, d300 and 2 d20s. something has to go!!