Differences in 77-79 F-250 HP44s?

TheZenTree

TheZenTree

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Central KY
I'm building a HP44 that is supposedly out of a 77-79 F-250. The spring perches are the right distance, it's definately a HP44 center section, and it's got 8 lugs. However, I bought a spindle off a guy on here, which is not the right part. The spindle is too long and the stud pattern is smaller than what's on my knuckles. I'm not sure if it's a miscommunication or if there are different variants or what. The inner wheel bearings I got at the parts store are also the wrong part (they're too big) and the calipers the parts guy gave me are wrong (they're one-piston as opposed to the two piston parts that were on the axle). There's a good chance that the parts guy is a complete idiot, but I'm starting to get sorta frustrated, because I can't get a straight answer out of anyone when it comes to what parts I need.

This whole axle build has proven to be a total pain in the ass, and tonight is no different. So, if anyone has any suggestions as to what the hell is going on, I'd love to hear em.

Help.
 
i can only tell you what i have experienced with my own 79 f250 hp44... it has dual piston calipers.... and i don't know about sizes.. but if you'd like i'll be working on it tomorrow morning, and probably some of early tomorrow afternoon if you'd like to come look at it....

i'm in wilmington off kerr near market....
 
Appreciate the offer, but I'm gonna be at work from 7 till probably 5:30 or so. If you're still gonna be workin on it by then I might swing by, but it sounds like you'll be done by then.
 
i'll be at work then but i shoudl be off around 9 or 10....

hit me up on AIM... X ERIK F X
 
BOM

run the tubes' BOM, it'll answer all questions. these will be stamped into the housing, not the centers casting numbers. then you will know everything about it, since this was done at final assembly.
 
that larger inner bearing is for a HD44 or a later model 44 when all spindles became the same size. ran into that problem myself.
 
So would the inner bearings for my axle be the same part as the outer bearings? And what year did they switch to the big bearing?

As for the BOM number, I looked for one last night, but I couldn't find it. On the 60 I had, it was stamped into the front of the longside tube, but there's nothing there on my 44. It's pitted from surface rust, and I sandblasted it when I first got it, so I guess there's a chance that the BOM number is worn off. I still have the tag from the diff cover, will that tell me anything?
 
do you have any pics of your parts? the hp 44 from an f250 from 77-79 should be the same. sounds like you bought a used part from a guy that thought what he had was what you needed. also sounds like the parts store looked up the wrong bearings. you definately should have duel piston brake calipers . so if they gave you single than they also gave you the wrong bearings that goes to something else. i would go back and exchange the parts. only tell the parts guy you have a 79 f250 and you need calipers and inner wheel bearings. if you tell him your swapping this axle into something else he will get all confused. ??????
 
That's what I told the guy, but I think he's just a retard. As for the spindle, I think it's just a mistake.
I'll try and get pics and part numbers this afternoon when I get back to the house. I wanna get this figured out, I have a $20 bet goin on with my buddy to see who finishes our projects first, and I'm too broke to lose another $20 :lol:
 
the 76 model hd44 came with single piston calipers on the 1/2 ton. only difference on that year was thicker axle tube and weld on c-wedges. for coil springs. but i know we are talking about 3/4 ton leaf sprung hp44.
 
I've swapped spindles from every model from 1973 up to 1979 and they all have same bolt pattern for disk brakes. 76 and 77 F-250 spindles are longer along with longer stub shafts but the bolt patterns are all same. All rest are same weather 1/2 ton or 3/4. Dude might have sold you one from a TTB axle. I heard they are different bolt pattern but can't confirm. Anything earlier than 73 had drum brakes and had 6 hole bolt pattern insteat of the disc 5 hole pattern. Drums were options from 73-79 and had same 6 bolt pattern.
If you swap from drum to disc you have to swap knuckles and everything.
 
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