Dana 44 with a Corporate 14 bolt?

LittleBigFoot · Oct 10, 2007

Wagoneer 44 front paired with a Corporate 14 bolt in the rear?

Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks,
Adam

JohnnyU · Oct 10, 2007

It's becoming an increasingly more common swap due to Dana 60 fronts getting more and more rare. With some aftermarket goodies for the Dana 44, you'd be set. In fact, I may end up defaulting to this for my Chevy if I can't find a reasonably priced D60 in reasonable condition.

LittleBigFoot · Oct 10, 2007

Thanks, JohnnyU. Yeah, all the D60s around here are well over a grand and I don't have that type of cash.

I found one with a disk brake conversion last night, I'm taking a look at it today. 250 bucks!

Sasquatch_Ryda · Oct 10, 2007

The 14 bolt is a stout axle, and you shouldn't have any problems with it. The only thing i've seen is because of the huge center section alot of people shave the bottom of them to gain ground clearance. Hope it all works out for you

LittleBigFoot · Oct 10, 2007

Thanks Sasquatch_Ryda.

A lot of people have told me to sell the 44 and go for a D60 and a 4 link with a 14 bolt rear but I just can't afford that!

The 14bolt 6lug i was looking at sold thismorning before i could take a look at it. Damn!

Are there any other good 6 lug rear axles?

Will · Oct 10, 2007

14-bolt is a beast of an axle. It's rated for 7,500# compared to 5,300# for a rear full-floating Dana 60. You can also install a real Detroit Locker without having to set up the gears.

JohnnyU · Oct 10, 2007

If you run a 14bolt, get the Full-Floater. It's the only one worth swapping in and regearing, etc. You can get them for $50-100 in junkyards most of the time. Besides, 8 Lugs are cooler than 6. :headbang:

brendank · Oct 10, 2007

I agree that the price of a decent D60 is way too high. That being said, I got mine for free. Wanna know the secret? Don't look for someone selling a D60, look for someone selling a 4x4 F350.

I bought a 91 for $800 bucks, running well but rusty. It was an old service truck. I pulled out the front end, and then sold the rest for $800, and probably could have got more. The best price I could find on just a D60 of any year, any condition was around $1300 with no knuckles. Just what they're worth around here, I guess.

Oh yeah, and it took me almost 3 months to find exactly what I wanted. Just goes to show that if you be patient then you'll have a better chance of finding exactly what you want.

4x4junkie · Oct 10, 2007

LittleBigFoot said:
Thanks, JohnnyU. Yeah, all the D60s around here are well over a grand and I don't have that type of cash.

I found one with a disk brake conversion last night, I'm taking a look at it today. 250 bucks!

By the time you add all the goodies to a D44, you're still spending over a grand, and the axle STILL won't be near as strong as a 60 with a simple 35-spl stub upgrade.

I'd do what brendank69 said and buy a whole (junk) truck, yank the axle and off the rest for $$$.

LittleBigFoot · Oct 10, 2007

I have seen a few 350s for pretty cheap around here. The F350s use a leaf suspension right? I know it's that way on my friends HighBoy.

I'll look around and try to sell the 44 if I can find something worth while.

Thanks for the advice.

Any specific years of 350s to look for? Did any come with lower gear ratios then others, or spools or positrack straight off the line?

brendank · Oct 10, 2007

LittleBigFoot said:
I have seen a few 350s for pretty cheap around here. The F350s use a leaf suspension right? I know it's that way on my friends HighBoy.

I'll look around and try to sell the 44 if I can find something worth while.

Thanks for the advice.

Any specific years of 350s to look for? Did any come with lower gear ratios then others, or spools or positrack straight off the line?

Yes, F350's use leafs. Pretty easy to change to coils though. Look for a F350 that's either 78-79, or 85-91. I'd also check the BOM number on the diff to make sure it's what you want.

The 78-79's have a longer short side, but the overall diff width is the same as the 85-91's. The 85-91's are also a bit of a challenge to get coils on because the pig is so close to the knuckle, but it can be done.

Check this out You'll find everything else you need to know there.

LittleBigFoot · Oct 10, 2007

Ok, I'm keepin my eyes out on craigslist for a 350. Thanks for the link Brendank, really good info.

I'm guessin the 60 is the way to go. I have a guy calling me back about an 86' 4x4 for under a grand. The add says it's still running, so I bet I could take what I want and sell/scrap the rest and make some money back on the transaction.

I'm gettin anxious to do something!

Thanks,
Adam

4x4junkie · Oct 10, 2007

SRW D60s can be found in F-350s 78,'79, '86-'97 and '02-current (F-250 & 350).

Some guys prefer the kingpin axles (which ended after '91), but the balljoint 60s are still very good axles to use for a swap.

The '02up 60s aren't worth bothering with though unless you get the 10.5 rear with it at the same time (they have an oddball metric lug pattern). Many guys will also fault them for the unit-bearing hubs, although if you ever need to change a shaft on the trail, it takes about ¼ the amount of time (4 bolts and the whole entire thing comes right off).

LittleBigFoot · Oct 10, 2007

Well, beggers cant be choosers. I'll keep my eyes out and post it before I do anything drastic.

Adam

hitech_hick · Oct 11, 2007

LittleBigFoot said:
Ok, I'm keepin my eyes out on craigslist for a 350. Thanks for the link Brendank, really good info.

I'm guessin the 60 is the way to go. I have a guy calling me back about an 86' 4x4 for under a grand. The add says it's still running, so I bet I could take what I want and sell/scrap the rest and make some money back on the transaction.

I'm gettin anxious to do something!

Thanks,
Adam

Patients pays off, found a '78 F250 with 60's and a snow plow for $500. I can sell the plow alone for more than that. I have found a 3 others ('77.5-'79) with 60's in the $1,200 to $1,500. Keep your eyes peeled, check the classifieds, check e-bay, craigs list, farmer's fields, under tarps behind garages. Patients and persistence are key...

hick

Dana 44 with a Corporate 14 bolt?

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