I'm doing a full size axle swap into an '82 S-10 2wd. I've scored a '77 Ford F-250 "high-boy" with the divorced np-205, dana 60 rear and dana 44 up front. All will be used in the S-10 as I already have a warmed-over small-block 350 and a 2-wheel drive th-350 trans in place. Can the Dana 44 be made strong enough with chrome-moly shafts, quality gear set and heavy u-joints (OX maybe) to handle 38" swampers? The truck will see everything from gumbo mud to Moab rock. Thanks guys.  

Eh... anything is possible.

Personaly, I wouldn't recomend running 38's on a 44, but obviously people are doing it succesfully.

I think you are on the right track. Chro-mo shafts, a quality R&P, quality U-Joints, possilby a truss, basicly over build it. But still be ready for it to break.

But... if you spend all the money building a 44 you could more than likly find a 60 for the same amount and not have to worry about it.

Either way, let us know how it works out for ya!  

FourWheeler Web Editor:
Eh... anything is possible.

Personaly, I wouldn't recomend running 38's on a 44, but obviously people are doing it succesfully.

I think you are on the right track. Chro-mo shafts, a quality R&P, quality U-Joints, possilby a truss, basicly over build it. But still be ready for it to break.

But... if you spend all the money building a 44 you could more than likly find a 60 for the same amount and not have to worry about it.

Either way, let us know how it works out for ya!

Normally I would fully agree with this but you must factor in vehicle size and weight too. Given this is a S10, he should be able to get by ok as long as he does not use a locker in front axle. If he uses a locker all bets are off. Another tip would be to locate a front axle out of a old full sized Jeep truck or Cherokee. Jeep long used heavier axle tubes in there D44 for sturdier front axle assembly in those models though this is not generally known. There is also the D50 option that was used in PS SD Ford trucks. It is basically a D44 with stronger axles in a D60 like housing and is often overlooked and would play well here and would be likely be cheaper in the long run than a upgraded D44 which would still have housing strength limitations regardless of axle shaft upgrades  

Yea, I was hoping for a Dana 60 front, but the old guy who owned the Ford (I work with him) put the price on the truck as "a couple cases of beer", so I couldn't pass it up. I'm still keeping my eyes out for a 60, but I'm willing to try to make the 44 work if need be. I suppose I'm cheap, but after paying what I did for an entire truck, I have a hard time paying what some people think they need for a 60.