New guy messed up!

[manderson17]

So what I thought was a Dana 60 turns out to be a dan a 44 hd. So now comes the questions. First off my truck is not going to be doing any heavy off-road use. Just mostly pavement and gravel roads. What I want to do is be able to put lock outs on it and make it work. It is a fulltime 4wheel drive axle from a 77 w200. Can anybody give me a clue on what parts to get from what trucks to do this conversion. Again thank you for the help and excuse my lack of knowledge.

[Jim100]

Its everything from the ball joints out. Including the axles shafts I think. You can get all those parts but it will add up. Maybe a complete lock-out having dana 44 for the parts or use as a unit. Complete dana 44 with manual locking hubs and disc brakes usually are available and a couple hundred bucks. Salvage yards, craigs list etc.

[irontwist]

Magazine Pertersens 4 Wheel & Off Road September 2018 has a article titled Something Old Something New Building a Dana 44 On A Budget with how to and part sources, might be what your looking for?

[dodgeboykim]

So what I thought was a Dana 60 turns out to be a dan a 44 hd. So now comes the questions. First off my truck is not going to be doing any heavy off-road use. Just mostly pavement and gravel roads. What I want to do is be able to put lock outs on it and make it work. It is a fulltime 4wheel drive axle from a 77 w200. Can anybody give me a clue on what parts to get from what trucks to do this conversion. Again thank you for the help and excuse my lack of knowledge.

If it was a Dana 60 front axle from a Full Time 4x4 system it would have bolt on fixed hubs that can easily be changed to lockouts. Simple unbolt, remove and bolt back on. 9/16, Snap ring pliers or pick and allens possible.

[soopernaut]

Replace the parts from the knuckles out with part-time Dodge or Chevy Dana 44 parts.

[manderson17]

With replacing parts from knuckles out would the spindles be the same across the board from all dana 44 axles? I've been looking at parts but haven't pulled the trigger and bought any yet. With making this simple mistake I'm doing more research so I buy the right stuff. Thanks for the help

[manderson17]

So what I thought was a Dana 60 turns out to be a dan a 44 hd. So now comes the questions. First off my truck is not going to be doing any heavy off-road use. Just mostly pavement and gravel roads. What I want to do is be able to put lock outs on it and make it work. It is a fulltime 4wheel drive axle from a 77 w200. Can anybody give me a clue on what parts to get from what trucks to do this conversion. Again thank you for the help and excuse my lack of knowledge.

If it was a Dana 60 front axle from a Full Time 4x4 system it would have bolt on fixed hubs that can easily be changed to lockouts. Simple unbolt, remove and bolt back on. 9/16, Snap ring pliers or pick and allens possible.

I've cleaned the housing and on bottom right facing diff cover it has 44-30f. My mistake for being overly anxious to actually find a mid 70s dodge in junk yard with an axle. Most of them have been picked over or crushed. I have a 78 w100 and when I sourced parts for it, I just ended up buying a whole truck. Thanks for the help everyone!

[soopernaut]

With replacing parts from knuckles out would the spindles be the same across the board from all dana 44 axles? I've been looking at parts but haven't pulled the trigger and bought any yet. With making this simple mistake I'm doing more research so I buy the right stuff. Thanks for the help

The spindles are further out than the knuckle and I doubt they are the same for all.

The full time Dodge Dana 44 is easily recognized by the lack of any kind of protruding hub at the wheel center. There is just a recessed nut.

[Jim100]

I would continue to look for another complete axle. I fooled around on craigslist and saw one in Indiana someplace.

[712edf]

So are you hunting an 8-lug Dana 44 with disc brakes & selectable locking hubs? (no CAD, drums,flanges,etc)

Bucky

[manderson17]

So are you hunting an 8-lug Dana 44 with disc brakes & selectable locking hubs? (no CAD, drums,flanges,etc)

Bucky

If I could find one yes! But I will probably just buy parts as I can find them and change what I have to manual locking hubs. I made the mistake of going in uniformed and now I have to live with my decision.

[712edf]

The axle you are looking for would be found in 81-84 Dodge Power Ram W250's. W350's also had them but usually had the "dually" set-up.

Or do what Soopernaut suggested.

Bucky

[manderson17]

The axle you are looking for would be found in 81-84 Dodge Power Ram W250's. W350's also had them but usually had the "dually" set-up.

Or do what Soopernaut suggested.

Bucky

Would I be able to source these parts and put them on my housing? Just take everything from knuckles out and outer shafts?

[712edf]

Yes I think so. Folks have even used parts from the Dana 44's that came in Chevy's, brakes & whatnot. Do some searching, on this site & others.

Bucky

[Jim100]

Let us know what you learn about if you can use the axle shafts themselves if you end up doing the conversion. And Dennys drive line? is good for the deal on spicer parts (ball joints) if you are interested.
jim

[BigJimG]

Most late dana 44 (and even some 30) parts (73 and up) are interchangeable from the axle yokes out. Dodge/Chevy/Jeep all use the same six bolt knuckle to spindle interface (with the exception of the small pattern dodge full time). The cheapest way for 8-lug is to grab the everything from a chevy dana 44/gm 10 bolt front, including the outer axle shafts. The inner shafts are not usually interchangeable as the lengths are slightly different. DO NOT USE FORD PARTS... although technically they will fit, the spindle bolt pattern is different, outer axle shaft length is different, bearing sizes different, etc. If I remember correctly, the tie-rod taper is unique to Ford as well. Although tempting, International parts could be used, but the parts are unique to International as well (8 bolt spindle pattern, and longer steering arms), and even harder to find replacement parts for than our sweptys...

I have an entire 76 Dodge 44HD with lockouts, located near Toledo, OH, but it's a drum brake axle... you'd still need a few specific parts to convert to discs.

I *Might* have some 3/4 ton Chevy knuckles-out assemblies on the shelf as well, but I don't remember, and I'm currently on a work trip in AZ...

[manderson17]

Let us know what you learn about if you can use the axle shafts themselves if you end up doing the conversion. And Dennys drive line? is good for the deal on spicer parts (ball joints) if you are interested.
jim

I am going to definitely be doing this conversion and will let you know what I find out.

[soopernaut]

I have an entire 76 Dodge 44HD with lockouts, located near Toledo, OH, but it's a drum brake axle... you'd still need a few specific parts to convert to discs.

How did you get a 76 with drum brakes? 74 was the last year for drums.

[712edf]

76 wouldn't have lock-outs either.

Bucky

[BigJimG]

I have an entire 76 Dodge 44HD with lockouts, located near Toledo, OH, but it's a drum brake axle... you'd still need a few specific parts to convert to discs.

How did you get a 76 with drum brakes? 74 was the last year for drums.

It could have been swapped. It was this old plow truck I scrapped about two years ago. The title/vin was '76 the axle looked like it hadn't been replaced, but definitely has drums.