Front end swap, '79ish highboy.

[koda6966]

I wanna do something nice for my old man for Christmas.

Right now he has a D44 front end with drum brakes, I'm not sure what year it is.

He's constantly fixing it and complaining about the drum brakes, I'd like to get a D60 front end for him and help him fix it up and put it in.

Now.. what years will fit correctly with his truck? It's a 1976 4x4 F250 Highboy with a '79 body on it. Engine is a 300 I6.

I'm more or less concerned about something that will bolt up correctly.

Also, how hard would it be to go from a D44 with drums, to a D60 with disks? If need be, I will settle for a D44 with disks.

Any help on this is appreciated. I'm already taking measurements of his truck and keeping an eye on axles at the JY.

This is the truck in question BTW.

 

[2004xlmiller]

im no expert, but if you can find one from a similar year and its the same width it should bolt in.. def need new ubolts for a 60. as for the brakes itd be a hoses thing to adapt it, but idk much about that either. good luck!

 

[koda6966]

The brakes are the main question.

Truck has front leafs, so mounting it up to the axle should be as simple as finding one with a matching width correct?

 

[chilsam]

Hi boys r a diff animal

The frames are diff between hi boys n later trucks width & height of frame rails number of cross members, just measure the spring pad width on the axle housing,a D60 your lookin at a grand + or - $200. I "think" the proportioning valve on the brakes is diff between drum and disc brakes also. I wish my kids would do that! I had to build mine by myself,lol

 

[koda6966]

Actually I'm looking at a lot less for a D60. I would sell an axle for that much but I would never buy. I have good sources in many places. Picked up a Chevy D60 (pass pumpkin) for $75 complete the other day for a friend, sold it to him for $100 plus gas because he's a good buddy of mine.

 

[1badexplorer]

If that truck is a 76 it should have discs already. Either way u would want a 77.5-79 Ford dana 60. It would come from a f250 or f350. It will bolt right in. You will also need the brake hoses, u bolt plates for a d60. I would also change to a 79 master cylinder. Unless you get lucky that axle will cost you around $1000. A 76-79 F250 dana 44 will also work the same way its just not as heavy. They usually sell for around $200-300. Your truck being a 76 should have discs upfront already though. Are you sure your dad wasn't talking about the rear brakes? Keep in mind that if you do plan to swap out the complete front axle, you will need to know the gear ratio. It will either be 3.54 or 4.10 for a ford.

 

[brinker88]

Prop valves are the same from 78 to 86 (my truck's an 86 and my axle's out of a 78) . I grabbed the prop valve off the donor truck when I did my SAS and it was the same just to give you an idea where to grab one off of.

Or just buy my truck for your old man!

http://williamsport.craigslist.org/cto/2609688566.html

 

[koda6966]

If that truck is a 76 it should have discs already. Either way u would want a 77.5-79 Ford dana 60. It would come from a f250 or f350. It will bolt right in. You will also need the brake hoses, u bolt plates for a d60. I would also change to a 79 master cylinder. Unless you get lucky that axle will cost you around $1000. A 76-79 F250 dana 44 will also work the same way its just not as heavy. They usually sell for around $200-300. Your truck being a 76 should have discs upfront already though. Are you sure your dad wasn't talking about the rear brakes? Keep in mind that if you do plan to swap out the complete front axle, you will need to know the gear ratio. It will either be 3.54 or 4.10 for a ford.

Axles are older. Already have a 79 master/booster iirc.

I live next to a place that sells parts at a flat rate. I can get the D60 for the same price as a D30 or even a D35 TTB set.

 

[chilsam]

Grab m!

Axles are older. Already have a 79 master/booster iirc.

I live next to a place that sells parts at a flat rate. I can get the D60 for the same price as a D30 or even a D35 TTB set.

If you can get a ford D60 hi pinion front axle for that price snag it up .If they have any more grab m sellm on ebay n make some cash!

 

[koda6966]

I would, but ebay rapes me on stuff like that lol.