front axle advice 72 F-250

[hotrodfeguy]

1972 F-250 4X4 I have a front axle question for my DANA 44-6F as my research into this has told me the front axle should be a clutch type. What are my options? But would also like to now what my spline count is. Anyone know how to tell without having to rip my front apart ? Or should I pull something and do a hard count to be sure? Thanks I am new to my 72.

[basketcase0302]

Truly amazed at the price of these anymore, (although they've never been cheap):
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Drivetrain-D ... AUB5420112
But I also know from expierence that you'll never go back to an open carrier once you own one. One revolution of a wheel and they usually start engaging-rather than a front wheel sitting there spinning getting you stuck even worse. May I suggest looking for another D44 that has one in it? My older Brother did this recently with his EB and scored one much cheaper than buying a spool.

[Doug Comer]

My two cents is to pull it and verify. You would be surprised what the previous owners can do or change.
Doug

[hotrodfeguy]

So my 72 should have a 19 sline up front? What would be a good way to look/check? Would I just pull the lockouts off and do a sline count?

[basketcase0302]

what Doug said. And no you can't just pull the lock out hub and count the splines. You have to slide the axle shaft out one side, (after you've pulled the hub) to count the splines. The spline count your after is the end that slides into the side gears of the assembly, (part #3249 here).

[hotrodfeguy]

Thanks for the pic that was very informative. I need to pull and count the whole CV axle. I have the 44-6F but the same pic applies to the mechanical aspect of this. very nice pic brother thanks. Now I have work to do but well worth it. I planed on doing the conversion to grease zerks and replace the scraper/felt seals anyways good time to do both.

[basketcase0302]

Please by all means thank Keith for all the information we have at our hands here. The D44 is really not that hard to work on, (or pull apart for that matter). Once you've done it once-you'll be able to tear into it in an hour next time.