To high pinion 44 or rotate low pinion knuckles?

[Zenzone]

Hello,

I currently have a 1976 low pinion Dana 44 in my Bronco. I just rebuilt the axle from the spindles out with new spindles, bearings and races. While doing this I couldn't help but think about my my future plans of installing a locker and gears for my new 35’s I just installed (currently C4 and 4.11 limited slip). The bronco currently drives pretty well but has a little wondering due to 4.5 inch lift and 7 degree bushing on stock arms (netting caster of "i think" 3degrees). My plans next winter are to either build radius arms like Justins or buy duffs long arms. At that time I will cut and rotate the c’s for near perfect pinion angle. My decision I need to make is if I'm going to make these changes it would also be the right time to swap in a HP 44 housing. If I swap a HP44 in would I still be able to use my knuckles out from the 76 since I just installed/bought the new parts on it?

Would you vote swap to HP or would you rotate the low pinion knuckles and keep my current housing?

Have you rotated your low pinion knuckles and been able to get full flex without binding the U joint?

If you have found a HP 44 for your rig where did you find it? Do junkyards still have them? Are they getting harder to find and only found in online marketplaces?

What is a ballpark price on a HP 44 housing?

Thanks Guys trying to think ahead so I can gather parts this summer for next winters projects.

Zen

[Gunnibronco]

I'm assuming you'll stay stock width if you swap to a HP. So you'd have to cut down the full width axle housing.

There are 2 full width axle housings they are probably both getting harder to find.

77 & earlier F150- these are the most desirable they are thicker wall tubing, and the wedges are welded to the tube. Note: I recently bought a D44 "from a 78 Bronco" that was this style. It was probably an early 78 production Bronco that got a left over 77 housing. So as with everything Ford, don't assume based on model year.

78/79 F150/Bronco- these are probably easier to find, but have a thinner wall and funny cast wedges. The tubing does not continue through the wedge assembly. This makes them harder to change the length. Someone said you can just cut the long side down to get to EB width, but I think this will put the diff under the oil pan. With only a 4.5" lift this could cause problems.

I've picked up 2 of the early housings for $100 each with no knuckles. I was lucky and got my "78 Bronco" axle with knuckles and brakes for $150. Keep an eye on Craigslist, FB Marketplace, etc and you'll find one eventually. Someone might rob the knuckles and brakes for their EB and sell off the housing- that's how I got one of mine.

The 76 knuckles should work. They seem to have the same outer shaft length as the HP axles. The HP knuckles do allow for a larger/stronger axle u-joint. I don't know if your 76 EB knuckles can use the larger u-joint.

[Rox Crusher]

Hey Zen

To me your decision is a no brainer. I say this based on the assumption you will be changing gear ratio due to tire size and that you will be installing a locker.

Find an HP44 from a 76 or 77 F150 and cut it down to EB width and rotate Cs and wedges. Don’t forget that Duff arms have 4 degrees of cast built in, some people say that is enough.

The beauty for you is that you can have the new axle built and ready to install and then just transfer your new parts over to the new axle.

I just bought an HP44 axle and planning to do the same.

I know a guy that cut down an HP44 out of 78 and newer rig. He is in Albuquerque and wants 375 for it. Ping me for contact info if your interested.

[Justin]

I'm biased, but would suggest the HP44. As Jeff suggested, I went with the 76/77 housing. Instead of cutting it down, I just got a matching rear, but that's not everyone's cup of tea. The HP front end is stronger, as it runs the gear in the correct direction compared to the LP. It also eliminates concern about flex and ability to travel. I can run mine at full droop, and shouldn't have binding issues that would absolutely be there with a LP setup. I found mine in a local junkyard, I think for $150 with the stock radius arms still attached. That was a bunch of years ago, but I'd probably pay up to $350 for one now if it was in good shape. They've gotten less common and more desirable. I'm also willing to scrape Craigslist for months looking for a killer deal, so your mileage may vary.

[phyler]

I've seen the 76/77 axles going for $6-700 and still need to be built. If you come across one for sub $400 it's a good deal.

I see guys getting $250-300 just for the disc brake setup off those and the 78/79 axles.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[Zenzone]

I'm assuming you'll stay stock width if you swap to a HP. So you'd have to cut down the full width axle housing.

Yeah, I plan to stay stock width. Yep i would plan to cut down the full width axle and set up the pinion and caster at that time.

There are 2 full width axle housings they are probably both getting harder to find. I imagine they might be. I have seen some people find them lately though, so at least i have time to find one.

77 & earlier F150- these are the most desirable they are thicker wall tubing, and the wedges are welded to the tube. Note: I recently bought a D44 "from a 78 Bronco" that was this style. It was probably an early 78 production Bronco that got a left over 77 housing. So as with everything Ford, don't assume based on model year.

That is the idea age bracket that I am hoping for, haha now to find it.


78/79 F150/Bronco- these are probably easier to find, but have a thinner wall and funny cast wedges. The tubing does not continue through the wedge assembly. This makes them harder to change the length. Someone said you can just cut the long side down to get to EB width, but I think this will put the diff under the oil pan. With only a 4.5" lift this could cause problems.

I think I will avoid these years as I dont want to go down the road of retuning an axle so it lines up correctly.

I've picked up 2 of the early housings for $100 each with no knuckles. I was lucky and got my "78 Bronco" axle with knuckles and brakes for $150. Keep an eye on Craigslist, FB Marketplace, etc and you'll find one eventually. Someone might rob the knuckles and brakes for their EB and sell off the housing- that's how I got one of mine.

This would be ideal to find just the housing as I think I could use all my current parts and then upgrade the locker and maybe axle shafts for now and then get some chrome molly shafts with the 760 u joint.

The 76 knuckles should work. They seem to have the same outer shaft length as the HP axles. The HP knuckles do allow for a larger/stronger axle u-joint. I don't know if your 76 EB knuckles can use the larger u-joint.

This is what I need to confirm, from what I have seen it sounds like I should be able to fit the larger u joint shafts in the knuckle area because I have the 76 disc brakes. Maybe someone here will know for sure.

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate the info. hopefully I can get lucky like you and find a housing affordably.

[Zenzone]

Hey Zen

To me your decision is a no brainer. I say this based on the assumption you will be changing gear ratio due to tire size and that you will be installing a locker.

Find an HP44 from a 76 or 77 F150 and cut it down to EB width and rotate Cs and wedges. Don’t forget that Duff arms have 4 degrees of cast built in, some people say that is enough.

The beauty for you is that you can have the new axle built and ready to install and then just transfer your new parts over to the new axle.

I just bought an HP44 axle and planning to do the same.

I know a guy that cut down an HP44 out of 78 and newer rig. He is in Albuquerque and wants 375 for it. Ping me for contact info if your interested.

Yeah I will be locking the rear as well. Thats my hopes so the bronco is down for too long. What exactly do you plan to do for your axle build? Did he retube the 78 axle or just cut down the one side of the axle? Thanks, congrats on finding an axle, it was your post that inspired me to think about making a housing change. Haha if you find another you know how to contact me!

[Zenzone]

I'm biased, but would suggest the HP44. As Jeff suggested, I went with the 76/77 housing. Instead of cutting it down, I just got a matching rear, but that's not everyone's cup of tea. The HP front end is stronger, as it runs the gear in the correct direction compared to the LP. It also eliminates concern about flex and ability to travel. I can run mine at full droop, and shouldn't have binding issues that would absolutely be there with a LP setup. I found mine in a local junkyard, I think for $150 with the stock radius arms still attached. That was a bunch of years ago, but I'd probably pay up to $350 for one now if it was in good shape. They've gotten less common and more desirable. I'm also willing to scrape Craigslist for months looking for a killer deal, so your mileage may vary.

Yeah Ill probably cut it down as I dont want to go down the road of new wheels and such for full width. I have definitely been watching Craigslist and will probably look at the local junkyards as I have time to find it. The bronco drives well right now, so no rush, just want to do this in time.

[Zenzone]

I've seen the 76/77 axles going for $6-700 and still need to be built. If you come across one for sub $400 it's a good deal.

I see guys getting $250-300 just for the disc brake setup off those and the 78/79 axles.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

Those are prices for a 44. For those prices i'll just rotate the knuckles I have and go from there. Thanks for the heads up, hope I can find one for affordable prices.

[Justin]

No need for new wheels for a full width 44 swap if you go with 76-77 f150 stuff. I'm still 5x5.5. Theyre only about 4-6" wider. Opens up wheel selection a little though. I run 4.75" backspacing, which you can't do with stock width axles.

[Jesus_man]

I am agreement that the HP44 is the way to go.

If you want simplicity, buy off the shelf arms. If you want to be able to have more control over caster, get some DOM and joints and make your own.

[Digger]

I would vote HP44. The pinion placement is better.

With a 3.5" lift, my pinion u-joint angle is almost perfectly straight, which makes the front spin vibration free.

Keep an eye on the pick-n-pulls. I see 76-78 Fords there once in a while with HP44s

[Zenzone]

No need for new wheels for a full width 44 swap if you go with 76-77 f150 stuff. I'm still 5x5.5. Theyre only about 4-6" wider. Opens up wheel selection a little though. I run 4.75" backspacing, which you can't do with stock width axles.

Ill have to look into this. Now that I'm more educated on the axle swap i need to see a bunch of this broncos again so I can get even more ideas figured out.

I am agreement that the HP44 is the way to go. If you want simplicity, buy off the shelf arms. If you want to be able to have more control over caster, get some DOM and joints and make your own.

I think i'm set on going HP44. I'll have to see how much time I have when I get to that point in the axle swap, Id love to build my own as i have built all my other items myself.

I would vote HP44. The pinion placement is better.

With a 3.5" lift, my pinion u-joint angle is almost perfectly straight, which makes the front spin vibration free.

Keep an eye on the pick-n-pulls. I see 76-78 Fords there once in a while with HP44s

I'm set on going down the HP route. My plan is like you said watch the pick and pulls for a new truck to come in. I messaged one guy who was parting out his F150 junk yard and he wanted a fortune for a drum brake 74 axle.

If anyone is at a pick and pull and see's a HP PLEASE let me know. I think I found one in colorado springs but the truck has been there for 14 days so it is probable gone., if anyone down in the springs wants to check for me, I would be ever grateful!

Side question= will my EB 76 calipers, and spindle/hub assembly fit on the older f150 axles that had drums if thats all I can find?

[Digger]

Side question= will my EB 76 calipers, and spindle/hub assembly fit on the older f150 axles that had drums if thats all I can find?

I don't believe so. The Ford disc brakes uses a large 5-bolt spindle. The drum brakes used a small 6-bolt spindle. You can do the Chevy disc brake swap with 6-bolt spindles.

[Zenzone]

Side question= will my EB 76 calipers, and spindle/hub assembly fit on the older f150 axles that had drums if thats all I can find?

I don't believe so. The Ford disc brakes uses a large 5-bolt spindle. The drum brakes used a small 6-bolt spindle. You can do the Chevy disc brake swap with 6-bolt spindles.

So it sounds like if I get a drum axle high pinion I would have to use my current knuckles off my 76 disc axle along with my current 5 bolt spindle? Would my current knuckle fit the high pinions inner C's? I believe it would....

Thanks

[Digger]

Side question= will my EB 76 calipers, and spindle/hub assembly fit on the older f150 axles that had drums if thats all I can find?

I don't believe so. The Ford disc brakes uses a large 5-bolt spindle. The drum brakes used a small 6-bolt spindle. You can do the Chevy disc brake swap with 6-bolt spindles.

So it sounds like if I get a drum axle high pinion I would have to use my current knuckles off my 76 disc axle along with my current 5 bolt spindle? Would my current knuckle fit the high pinions inner C's? I believe it would....

Thanks

Yes.