Is my 44 up to snuff?

gharris54

New Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Location
Raleigh, NC
Alright guys, I'm basically looking for input on weather or not I should be expecting more breakage with my 44 up front with my current setup. Its the stock hp44 under my 79 f150, 4.10 gears. Its got a mild 429 big block, just an intake and carb, 205, and 36/14.5 swampers. I thought the 44 was up to the abuse I would be dishing it, mostly just ure but after stripping the spider gears on daniel a couple weeks ago I'm questioning it.

It feels like the perfect time to toss some kind of lunchbox locker in it and call it a day, or should I start putting together a 60 swap? I do plan on wheeling the truck on 36s for at least the next couple years till I can stick the 44 under my wj and long arm it.
 
Wheel it like you're on pins and needles and you might be ok. Throw a locker in there and you're really going to be pushing it. Thats just my .02 but I'm fully confident with a V8 and a little skinny pedal you'd be popping those axle shafts like twigs. Go to a 60 and don't worry about it.
 
I'm running a similar setup. I'm running a 44 under a 77 Chevy K10 with a built 350, 4.88s, and 38" Nitto Mud Grapplers. I stripped every tooth off of the spider gears on my last run at Tellico. I did what I know I shouldn't have and welded them up instead of replacing them. I'm planning on swapping to a 14 bolt and a 60 sometime soon.

I would have thought the hubs would break before the spiders but it looks like from both our situations it doesn't always happen. With the power of your 429 and the traction of the 36's, if you keep the 44, you might want to look into getting some hub fuses. At least that way you can make an easy repair on the trail vs. breaking spider gears/locker or an axle or u-joint. If your budget allows it, upgrade to a 60.
 
with chromo shafts and joints it will probly hold up. Honestly the locker will cause more stuff to break in the axle... there are people that wheel them with bigger tires and no problems.

I didnt have any issues with my 44 & warm 351 with chromos & 36s.
 
i have a 79 150 with 4.88 gears and a trac loc, works great except it won't turn well when locked. i an runnin a mild 5.o with 35's only busted one long shaft so far. built it 4 years ago. will be selling the axles cheap soon.
 
Well darn these aren't really the kind of responses I was hoping for. A 60 swap definitely is not in the budget right now but it is what I eventually plan on doing. I'm not gonna be wheeling again until ure opens in the spring so I have some time to ponder it but I'll probably go ahead and lock it and snag a set of spare shafts from the junk yard and get a good set of hubs. I do plan on putting this 44 under my jeep eventually so putting a little money into chromos is something that would be a good idea next time I have some extra cash, just ain't got that right now; I'm in college. Thanks for the input guys. I have a lot of ideas floating around in my head right now about where I want to go with this truck. Just depends on how well I get paid this summer. Chromos in the 44, 60 and leafs, 60 and custom radius arms or long arms and keep it on coils, or just rage on the 44 how it is...
 
I ran a stock 44 with a mild 460 on 38s and beat on with no problems... now with a chromos and a detroit im not sure till after this weekend.... I say replace the spiders and wheel it...
 
I tore up the spider gears in my 44 on 33s and a 4.0. Lunchbox lockers are cheap though. Throw one in and wheel it. Just know that you're at the limits of what you're axle is going to take
 
Ran a 44 front for years. And broke damn near every aftermarket part you can think of.
Chromo shafts, Yukon (not so) superjoints and ball joints.
On 37" tires.
D60 kingpin and don't look back.
:beer:
 
Contact Chase at East Coast Gear Supply. After breaking a shaft in my HP44 (from a 78 Bronco), I replaced them with chromoly shafts and haven't had any more problems, though I'm not running the horsepower in my TJ you've got in your Ford. I think those Chromos have some kind of a lifetime warranty.
 
what did the chromos run you if you don't mind me asking? East coast is right down the street from where I work, I've had them do a couple things on my jeep.
 
depends alot on how you drive i have 1 friend who runs a 78 bronco w/ stock axles a stock 351 and 46s and has never broken a shaft, but i have another friend you breaks stock ford half tons under a 93 4.0 zj on 35s. it depends alot on driving style and terrain the zj runs in rocks and the bronco is a mud toy.
 
Superior Evolution axle's BUT you will just find the "NEXT WEAK LINK"
 
I wouldn't do it. I have a D44 with alloys and alloy joints. worn out 4.0, 37's. I break shafts. One a year about. You have more weight power and bigger tires.
 
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