44s on F-150

I have a 77 F-150 with a 6" lift and 38 swampers. Since I am doing a frame off resto. I need to know what changes I will have to make to take it to the next level and and run 44s.

You can run 44's on a half ton running gear, but it isn't the best bet if you are going run it in the rough stuff. The axles are at their limits with the 38's. Much past that, at a minimum some fender trimming and at least a 3" body lift will be needed.

I'm new to the 4x4s as my other 2 trucks are 2wd so my questions are based on what I don't know.O.K, this is something I am going to do so I need to know what kind of donor to look for at the bone yard and what all I need to get; like 3/4 ton or 1 ton front and rear set-ups and the right steering set-up as well. I know this might sound crazy but I don't own any thing newer then a 77 so I just fix all my old stuff up until I'm finished, then I get another old one to start on. Thanks.

The 3/4 ton stuff came with a Dana 44, same as the 1/2 ton stuff, just with 8 bolt hubs. You really need to find a Dana 60 from a 1 ton. The rear can be a Dana 60 from a 3/4 ton. Another option is a Sterling rear from the 80's-97 Ford 3/4 or 1 ton. They will bolt right in, but are a small bit narrower than the 70's axles. If you have good cut/weld skills, you could swap in a Super Duty axle set and have rear disc brakes and a good solid running gear, as the Super Duty's used a hybrid Dana 50 front axle. The down side to the Super Duty axle swap is that you will need to run the less common Ford only metric 8 bolt wheel.

Thanks Schmitty, thats the kind of information I need. I'm just getting started with this project and since I do my own body and paint I will post some pictures as I go.

motorhead wrote:Thanks Schmitty, thats the kind of information I need. I'm just getting started with this project and since I do my own body and paint I will post some pictures as I go.

. I'd say you'll want to run at least a 4.88 gear also with those 44's

I hear you loud and clear and this is the information I need because I want to do this right. Any more info will be much appreciated because all I have are these old trucks and I love working on them and driving them. Well, I have other things too, but you know what I mean. Thought I'd better put that in there in case the wife and kids are reading this. (ain't this fun)!

Will need to go deeper than 4.88's.

Thanks guys, I'm listening and reading. That's another reason I want to go with a 5 speed because this will be a wild street driver. What gear ratio do you think would be needed if I change to a 5 speed and run 44s for a street driver?

If you want the clutch and a 5 speed to live, and you don't want it to be a "pooch" on the street I'd go at least into the high 5 ratio range. The 44 will not do that.

What do you think would be a reasonable set-up?

i just did a little searching and if you put in a 10.25 sterling the lowest gear i seen was a 5,38 id say you need atleast that, when you find a rear id say the deepest you could go if its 5.88's do it, what engine is in the truck? 351m still? or it been swapped to a 429/460?

Getting ready to do a frame off and a 460 is going to be dropped in. What about the front end?

Dana 60 front and just match the gears to what ever the rear gear is dont go 5.38 rear and 5.13 or 5.88 front, if the rear is 5.38 get the 5.38's for the front but if they are like 5.38 rear and 5.36 front thats fine...

Man this is great, it's like my summer vacation has already started. We've got a bunch of bone yards around here and I'll be hitting them in the comming weeks. Thanks guys.

You can go to 4lo website and punch in numbers in their gear calculator and find the gears that you think will work well for what you end up with for a power band for your engine. I did a set of 5.13's and it was about 2500 rpm @ 65 in direct, and just under 2000 rpm in OD. I would think this would be close for a street driver/weekend fun truck. Just remember to cam this thing short and make the power down low to help move them big ole 44's.

Thanks scmitty,I'll check those numbers out tonight after work.