'78 44 in a '72

James72 · Post by **James72** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:43 pm

I looked at a dana 44 from a '78 F250 for my '72, I've heard it's a direct bolt in but the steering arm looks longer and in a different position. He will give me the steering box and pump too, wich would be a nice upgrade. Do I need a different steering collum shaft (shorter) to use the '78 setup? Or should I (can I) just bolt in the '78 axle and use my old PS setup? He had a '72 with an entire set up from a '78 in it, but it has 10" of lift and he didn't put it in so he had no info, it also looks like the pitman arm rubs the bottom of the frame.
Thanks

James

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:42 pm

on 2wd trucks the pitman arm is different between power steering and manual. its not that the arm is longer it is just bent differently. with a 4x4 there are so many different boxes that can be on a 4x4 that may be the difference. also which side of the frame rail does your box and his box fit on.

James72 · Post by **James72** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:28 pm

As shown, my box is on the inside of the frame with the shaft through the frame, the one he has the shaft sticks straight down with the pitman arm sweeping below the frame parallel with the ground.

This is the steering arm on mine, the other one looks more like a boomerang.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:43 pm

i am going to guess and say that as long as you swap everything including the drag bars and tie rods it would all fit then.

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'78 44 in a '72

'78 44 in a '72

re: '78 44 in a '72