help identify 1978 dana 44 High Pinion good or bad?

[kingcarz]

I have found a 1978 Ford dana 44 high pinion front with 3"- tube, on leaf springs, 5 bolt, out of an F-150 Supercab, will any parts fit off my 1977 HD 44 Dana low pinion to up grade to heavy duty lockouts, and 8 bolt hubs, rotors? or am I looking for trouble here? I would like to have the high pinion so it will line up with my transfer case, Todd

[kingcarz]

Also the VIN tag has 16 J axle code,

[Doug Comer]

I don't think so...

[averagef250]

Everything from the low pinion axle will fit except the gears.

Sure the tubes are 3"? They should be 3.125".

[kingcarz]

As I measured this axle housing is about 2-15/16" with smaller lockouts, 1978 Ford F-150 Supercab Dana 44 High pinion 5 bolt, Will the axles fit the gears for 8 bolt conversion?

[averagef250]

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_2.htm

Scroll down a little and there's a blurb there about how some of the F150 SC axles shared the same housings with F-250's and some were b@stards.

Sounds like you'd best measure the wms-wms before jumping into it.

[kingcarz]

So what am I looking for in the WMS-WMS? if same as f-250 axle with the F-150 axle would work? or should I just look for a 1977.5-1979 F-250 high pinion assembly?

[Doug Comer]

Just my opinion, if you are wanting the benefits of the 77.5-79 F250 axle why not wait and get what you want. Not trying to sound harsh. I think you might be happier in the end.

[averagef250]

Doug, the super cab F-150 4x4 axles I've seen were the same exact Dana 44 the F-250's used, but 5 lug. The only difference was the hubs, rotors and caliper brackets.

If you have one and want 8 lug you have everything needed to switch it using a 1980 to 1997 TTB 44 from an F-250 (dirt cheap).

That link I posted suggests there are two versions of the F-150 supercab Dana 44, one is the same as the 250 axle, the other is not.

[Doug Comer]

Dustin, Good point. I remember that know that you say it. I am embarrassed to say that I didn't look at the link.
Doug

[kingcarz]

Thanks for the info,
I am going to go with the F-250 Dana 44 Hi pinion,
I have been searching, looking and learning about this Dana stuff these past 6 months, as well as looking in 1978 frame/suspension builder books and this web site and the great 44 Dana identification site.
The wife say's I have been spending too much time on this computer and in ford books

[Doug Comer]

The wife say's I have been spending too much time on this computer and in ford books

[Manny]

The wife say's I have been spending too much time on this computer and in ford books

[Hawkrod]

BTW, those F150 SuperCab front ends are very rare as they were only made from mid 77 to 79 and there are a bunch of HighBoy owners that want to convert to 5 lug. I have sold several and there is plenty of demand! Hawkrod

[averagef250]

BTW, those F150 SuperCab front ends are very rare as they were only made from mid 77 to 79 and there are a bunch of HighBoy owners that want to convert to 5 lug. I have sold several and there is plenty of demand! Hawkrod

Must be a geographic thing. 5 lug 4x4 stuff is sold by weight around here. Most like the ease of finding any wheel/tire for 8 lug and the larger brakes/full float hubs and other positives of the 8 lug axles.