Dana 50 sterling 10.25 swap

[farmer]

I was just given a Dana 50 and sterling 10.25 out of a 95 f250 and i want to swap them into my 91 ranger.
I read that Dana 50s bolt right into Dana 44 ttb beams, which would make swapping it in less of a hassle. I have two questions about this.
1) What axle shafts would work for this? Can I just use the 44 shafts?
2) I want the front to be 8 lug to match the rear, can I use the Dana 50 knuckles? Dana 44 ttb knuckles with different spindles? Or would I need complete 8 lug knuckles?

 

[RangerSVT]

If you don't already know, all a 50 is, is 44 internals with 60 outers...carrier, ring and pinion is 44 (along with the inner axleshafts), the outer axleshafts, spindle, hub, rotor, caliper and lockouts are 60....I'm pretty sure the knuckles are bigger than TTB 44 knuckles, but are not traditional 60 knuckles. TTB "C"s are bigger than solid axle "C"s...
SVT

 

[farmer]

I did not know that, thanks!
Ok that helps my axle shaft question, use 44 shafts with outers from whatever i decide.
Now the question is the knuckles. Can I use my knuckles? Can I make my knuckles work? What can I make work?

 

[RangerSVT]

I doubt the spindles will adapt (44 and 50) as the 50 spindles are basically 60 spindles, which are larger than 44 spindles...Also, the 44/50 TTB axles are wider than the ranger 28/35, and you can't narrow a sterling (10.25/10.5) without custom shafts (ask me how I know), so you would have to install the 44/50 TTB beams, so you might as well install the 50 since you have the complete 50 axle...From what I understand you will need custom pivot brackets to bolt the 50 under the ranger...
SVT

 

[farmer]

50 beams are short and awkward, and would need to be converted to coils and radius arms to flex worth a damn. Dana 44 beams are only 1" per side off from bolting in, which means I can modify what I have or use copy kats d44 brackets, then coils will drop right in and so will radius arms.
I figured the 44 would be much easier to swap in, and I could probably pick one up in the jy for cheap

 

[farmer]

So does anyone have any answer on how to convert a 44 ttb to 8 lug? Or what I would need to make the 50 knuckles work?

 

[gwaii]

If you don't already know, all a 50 is, is 44 internals with 60 outers...carrier, ring and pinion is 44 (along with the inner axleshafts), the outer axleshafts, spindle, hub, rotor, caliper and lockouts are 60....I'm pretty sure the knuckles are bigger than TTB 44 knuckles, but are not traditional 60 knuckles. TTB "C"s are bigger than solid axle "C"s...
SVT

actually,the 50 has a bigger r&p than the 44,but uses the same axle spline.
the outers are all 60,but the stub shaft has a lighter u-joint than the 60(but heavier than the 44)the 50 pig can be bolted to a 44 arm,but if you want to use the 50 knuckles on the 44 arm,some cutting and welding is needed.

it can be done...i know because i've done it.and it makes a pretty good setup.but it aint bolt-in.

here's a passenger side arm with the mods done.

and this is the complete item.

 

[RangerSVT]

Thanks for chiming in Tom. I knew you would know, I wasn't sure, just going off what I read and knew of the 44 and 50
SVT

 

[gwaii]

Thanks for chiming in Tom. I knew you would know, I wasn't sure, just going off what I read and knew of the 44 and 50
SVT

no problem...happy to help fill in some of the gaps.

between working and fishing i haven't had much time to get on here lately

 

[farmer]

I was waiting for you to find this gwaii
Well damn that sucks, that's a lot more work than I planned on, I can to some fab work, but that's way over my head.
Will 8 lug chevy d44 knuckles work with ttb beams?

 

[RangerSVT]

No, solid axle knuckles will not fit TTB's...
SVT

 

[farmer]

Well damn again. How about the spindles? Do you know if any 8 lug spindles will bolt onto the 44 ttb knuckles?

 

[RangerSVT]

I can't say for sure, but I remember reading somewhere where they will. I can check this weekend if you want, I have an 8 lug 44 under my tow rig, and an EB 44 I'm building for a buddies project, the 1/2 ton spindles are already off, but I'd have to pull one side apart of the tow rig to find out...
SVT

 

[farmer]

Oh man you don't need to tear apart your tow rig for me! Haha I didn't know if you already knew that answer. Thanks though. What's your tow rig that would have a d44 8 lug?

 

[RangerSVT]

1990 F350 SRW...It had a HP KP 60 under it, but that is being built and transplanted into SVT, so I put an 8 lug 44 under it that I had and was gonna put under SVT...
SVT