WMS to WMS width of full width ford D44

[94BonB]

I'm just curious if anyone can tell me the wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface width of a full width ford D44, the specific axle in question is out of a 1978 full size bronco.

 

[wahlstrom1]

66" if i remember correctly.

 

[NMB2]

should be around 69"-69.5"

 

[wahlstrom1]

That'd be for the F250 D44, believe the half ton stuff was a bit narrower.

 

[4x4junkie]

65.5" for a ½ ton D44

 

[94BonB]

Thanks guys... Now if I narrow the passenger side exactly 6 inches I can run a early bronco passenger side axle shaft correct? but it needs to be an aftermarket shaft if I want to match the 5-297x u-joint on the drivers side right?... I'm trying to match this axle up with the explorer 8.8 I got for the rear.. which has a WMS to WMS of 59.75in so... 65.5in less 6in puts me at 59.5in should be a good match... 1/8in either side shouldn't hurt anything?? What about locker or positive-track for the D44 it is my DD and I don't have a pile of cash!

 

[wellcom2knoxvile]

save yourself the time and effort and just find yourself a pre 77 axle that will already be that width

 

[NMB2]

thats right, i forgot the fullwidth 1/2ton stuff was a little narrower. I think fullwidth and automatically pop up with 69 and 69.5 w/ my 1tons.

 

[1badexplorer]

Thanks guys... Now if I narrow the passenger side exactly 6 inches I can run a early bronco passenger side axle shaft correct? but it needs to be an aftermarket shaft if I want to match the 5-297x u-joint on the drivers side right?... I'm trying to match this axle up with the explorer 8.8 I got for the rear.. which has a WMS to WMS of 59.75in so... 65.5in less 6in puts me at 59.5in should be a good match... 1/8in either side shouldn't hurt anything?? What about locker or positive-track for the D44 it is my DD and I don't have a pile of cash!

If you plan to narrow it. Bronco Graveyard has new spicer shafts for the 297 joint EB width for around $80.

 

[wahlstrom1]

save yourself the time and effort and just find yourself a pre 77 axle that will already be that width

Then you'd still have a lo-pinion diff that probably needs the knuckles turned for caster. I'd narrow the hi-pinion and turn the knuckles at the same time.

 

[94BonB]

I am going to narrow the HP axle.. Not sure about turning the knuckles for caster yet. I'm going to be running 3.5" lift coils for an EB with the EB coil buckets so I'm not sure how bad the caster will be. You can correct caster slightly with shims correct? I'm also going to try and match my 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern on the front. This can be done by redrilling the hub to the correct pattern? Also what about a locker or positive track on the cheap? its my DD so what are my options?

 

[wahlstrom1]

You can correct caster with 'degree'd' C-bushings, but your aiming for 5-7* of caster and approx every inch of lift lose's you 1*. So 6" lift puts you at 0* caster (think shopping cart) so your gonna wanna install 7* C-bushings to give you a decent amount of caster to control the larger tires. Now that your caster is right, your pinion angle will be out as it will be rotated down to correct caster.

If your narrowing the diff, you might as well go the extra step to pull the other knuckle off as well and correct the caster while your at it so that you can get away with 0* (stock) C bushings and use them later for fine adjustments rather then needing the biggest one right of the bat.

You can use dodge outers to get the 4.5" pattern, but it's a weak setup. The hub on the standard D44's is also too large to acommodate the typical 4.5" wheel center.

As far as a L/S or locker, you could find a stock traclok and repack it, or IMO the best drop in locker would be an Aussie and they're faily cheap in $250 range.

 

[94BonB]

Now were talking about positive caster where the top ball joint is further to the rear of the truck right? and that I should aim for larger caster angle somewhere around 7* to help with the bigger tires and self-centering steering? As for the 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern I only want to keep it because I would rather not have to buy new wheels and I don't want to run spacers. If I did run the ford 5 on 5.5 pattern could I redrill the axle flanges on the 8.8's stock axle shafts?

 

[wahlstrom1]

Yup, you got it. You can drill out the 8.8 shafts, but you must use thread in studs as they are right on the edge of the flange. I know you wouldn't want to spend a lot of money but that would be the perfect time to upgrade the rear shafts and have them ordered with the big 5 pattern.

 

[94BonB]

Thanks wahlstrom1 !! Just a couple of more questions cause my swap is very similar to yours. I want to run 35's or 36's on the truck, it currently has a 2" body lift in it. what I'm wondering about is the size lift coil I should use for the front? and suggestions for gears? the truck has a 4.0L and a manual trans. I have been told the I should run 5.13's but that seems a little much for a DD and I currently have 4.10's in the back axle I'm going to put in... would the 4.10's be alright? and are you running long arms or the stock length EB radius arms? and just curious about what you opted for when it came to the lug pattern problem?