Front axle

[matt]

I'll try and keep it short and sweat. But I'm building a 70f250. The front closed knuckle seals and King pins are shot. After researching and trying to find parts I've decided to try and find an open knuckle swap from a 76-77. I found a 77 in a salvage yard and went and checked it out today but it had a small closed knuckle 44 up front with drum breaks. I thought all 76-77 where supposed to be an open knuckle front? I'm guessing it may have been swapped at some in time, so I guess my question is am i correct in looking for a 76-77 truck? I'd want as a simple swap as possible so I want to steer clear of the 78-79 right? I'm not pulling or 4wheeling so the added strength from the high pinion isn't needed?

[1972hiboy]

I am not a hundred percent sure on the interchangeability but typically the pins dont get damaged on the early front ends. they use a tapered roller bearing in the knuckle and when those wear out is when you start getting play in the knuckle. I've done a couple closed knuckle re-builds, the bearings and wiper seals are still available from multiple sources. If it were me id much rather fix whats there then swap a used axle into the truck.

[Madman]

I swapped mine out for a 1976.5 DANA 44, which had the open knuckles and disc brakes. I believe that the early year 76's did not incorporate the newer front ends as much, but not certain. I believe the one I got was from a crew cab per the tag data on the differential. If I remember correctly the 76.5-77 DANA 44's are what you are looking for.

[matt]

Can you give me some sources please. The only parts I've found was quad4x4.com. There's a local spicer dealer near me that told me that the large knuckle 44 is obsolete and not supported by spicer anymore. Quad4x4 has there's made by a 3rd party and seems to expensive to me. So I'm not sure if it's worth rebuilding now if parts are that hard to find now. How hard r they going to be in the future.

[cstoyer]

Bearings, shims and knuckle seals are not too expensive and quad 4x4 is where i got mine and if your doing the small knuckle parts are bit easier to get. I would fix yours and look for a swap axle after as this will let you be picky on the axle you buy. FWIW i bought a 79 D60 Front and rear and a divorced 205 from two different sellers after I rebuilt my original 44 CFHD in my 68. Just something to have if I ever run into a issue with the 44.

cstoyer

[Madman]

Can you give me some sources please. The only parts I've found was quad4x4.com. There's a local spicer dealer near me that told me that the large knuckle 44 is obsolete and not supported by spicer anymore. Quad4x4 has there's made by a 3rd party and seems to expensive to me. So I'm not sure if it's worth rebuilding now if parts are that hard to find now. How hard r they going to be in the future.

Using the tag info I called DANA Spicer directly. They have a ton of data. Of course this forum helped immensely. I personally take anything a shop/fabricator says with a grain of salt, as it is in their best interest to let them sell/repair something for you. I always practice buyer beware, but know that isn't not true for everything or everyone.

I suggest research, research, and some more research. This forum, DANA themselves, and a lot of Google browsing should help bring it into better focus, an you can then make the best informed decision for your situation.

That is Madman's

In addition, I've overhauled multiple open knuckle and closed knuckle 44's (and even older DANA 25's on 40's Willys Jeeps). The parts are out there.

[1972hiboy]

Can you give me some sources please. The only parts I've found was quad4x4.com. There's a local spicer dealer near me that told me that the large knuckle 44 is obsolete and not supported by spicer anymore. Quad4x4 has there's made by a 3rd party and seems to expensive to me. So I'm not sure if it's worth rebuilding now if parts are that hard to find now. How hard r they going to be in the future.

I found the large ball 44 wiper seals from bronco graveyard. the bearings where just Timken so i matched up the part numbers at the local auto parts store and got new bearings and races for them. I was able to use the shims I had for each one so i did not need to procure those.

[Madman]

I believe 4wheelparts has parts as well. They usually have to order them, but I remember getting the wiper seals and bearings for a DANA 44 closed knuckle there that I overhauled for a guy now that I recall!