Closed knuckle front axles.

Posted By: OhioMopar

Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/02/13 10:45 AM

I was checking out a '73(I think) 1-ton Dodge truck that had Dana 70's front and rear. Of course the front axle is a closed knuckle, drum brake axle. Is there any way to convert it to disk? Has anyone been in one?
I would imagine they are pretty stout pieces, but drum brakes on a truck used for hauling/towing would kinda scare me.

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/02/13 05:17 PM

My old 73 one ton 4x4 wrecker [factory retriever canfield wrecker body] worked just fine with drum brakes. I dont know about a conversion. Not to many front ends around with that design. I would look for a 75 to 93 one ton front and just bolt it in.

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/02/13 06:56 PM

My old 73 F250 HiBoy had a D44 closed knuckle front axle. At that time there were no disc conversions available..

Posted By: Cooter

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/02/13 07:01 PM

I think conversions have been cobbled, but it really isn't worth the time, expense or trouble compared to swapping a more modern axle under there.

Posted By: QuickDodge

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/02/13 07:14 PM

It seems like the parts you want used to be advertised on the following website. I didn't see them listed today, but it may be worth contacting this guy to see if he can help you. (I've never bought anything from him)

http://uglytruckling.com/index.htm

If you find the parts somewhere, please post back. I want to convert my axle also.

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/02/13 10:42 PM

Just get a D60 and call it good. But it you debt plan on beating the not out of it an 80-93 D44hd from a 3/4 1-ton will work just fine. 75-79 are Full time axles with bad bearing design. No Lockout But you can swap outer shaft and knuckle out on a full time with a part time
Pics

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/02/13 11:01 PM

Quote:

75-79 are Full time axles with bad bearing design. No Lockout

Not on HD 3/4 and one ton.

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 12:45 AM

My 70s D60s beg to differ. No Lockout. Yes lockout can be installed witch I forgot about but still full time setup.
As for the bearings I was referring to the D44hd

Posted By: OhioMopar

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 12:58 AM

Quote:

Just get a D60 and call it good. But it you debt plan on beating the not out of it an 80-93 D44hd from a 3/4 1-ton will work just fine. 75-79 are Full time axles with bad bearing design. No Lockout But you can swap outer shaft and knuckle out on a full time with a part time
Pics

I didn't buy it yet. Was exploring the options with a drum brake front end.
You will never find me putting a 44 under anything, especially if equipped with a real axle originally. I've seen them destroyed by a warmed over 360 and a stick. I've personally.destroyed one with a bone stock '69 440 and a stick. 44's are for 1/2 tons and automatic transmissions...

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 02:57 AM

I haven't had the pleasure of beating a 4wd bad yet. But I have D60s for mine and the wifes clubcab shortbox powerwagons. Both will be bigblocks. Mine a 4spd and hers in the end a 518 but 727 until than. Than I have a D60 that might find its way under my plow truck. My clubcabs hubs are bad and so is another truck I have.

Posted By: OhioMopar

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 03:25 AM

Oh, they weren't beaten bad. Except for maybe the 360 truck. It was plowing snow. I don't get why they put 44s under a sno-commander.
My big block truck broke playing in the mud. Never thought I could break something when the wheels were spinning. I was wrong.

Posted By: Cooter

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 04:05 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Just get a D60 and call it good. But it you debt plan on beating the not out of it an 80-93 D44hd from a 3/4 1-ton will work just fine. 75-79 are Full time axles with bad bearing design. No Lockout But you can swap outer shaft and knuckle out on a full time with a part time
Pics

I didn't buy it yet. Was exploring the options with a drum brake front end.
You will never find me putting a 44 under anything, especially if equipped with a real axle originally. I've seen them destroyed by a warmed over 360 and a stick. I've personally.destroyed one with a bone stock '69 440 and a stick. 44's are for 1/2 tons and automatic transmissions...

Then you don't want a closed knuckle D70. Tracta Steering Joints aren't really your friends here.

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 04:28 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Just get a D60 and call it good. But it you debt plan on beating the not out of it an 80-93 D44hd from a 3/4 1-ton will work just fine. 75-79 are Full time axles with bad bearing design. No Lockout But you can swap outer shaft and knuckle out on a full time with a part time
Pics

I didn't buy it yet. Was exploring the options with a drum brake front end.
You will never find me putting a 44 under anything, especially if equipped with a real axle originally. I've seen them destroyed by a warmed over 360 and a stick. I've personally.destroyed one with a bone stock '69 440 and a stick. 44's are for 1/2 tons and automatic transmissions...

Then you don't want a closed knuckle D70. Tracta Steering Joints aren't really your friends here.

Ouch

Posted By: OhioMopar

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 07:16 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Just get a D60 and call it good. But it you debt plan on beating the not out of it an 80-93 D44hd from a 3/4 1-ton will work just fine. 75-79 are Full time axles with bad bearing design. No Lockout But you can swap outer shaft and knuckle out on a full time with a part time
Pics

I didn't buy it yet. Was exploring the options with a drum brake front end.
You will never find me putting a 44 under anything, especially if equipped with a real axle originally. I've seen them destroyed by a warmed over 360 and a stick. I've personally.destroyed one with a bone stock '69 440 and a stick. 44's are for 1/2 tons and automatic transmissions...

Then you don't want a closed knuckle D70. Tracta Steering Joints aren't really your friends here.

Ouch

Noted!

Posted By: Defbob

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 08:35 PM

That looks like an older Dodge hypoid axle joint. Closed knuckle D70's have regular joints or was that from a late 50's Power Wagon D70?

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 08:46 PM

Quote:

That looks like an older Dodge hypoid axle joint. Closed knuckle D70's have regular joints or was that from a late 50's Power Wagon D70?

My 73 w-300 had that goofy pieced together affair. The smaller 3/4 and 1/2 tons had u-joints as I recall.

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/03/13 09:52 PM

Yes if Its a d44 its open and has axle joints just drum breaks.

Posted By: OhioMopar

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/04/13 04:09 AM

Quote:

Yes if Its a d44 its open and has axle joints just drum breaks.

Incorrect. I had a closed knuckle Dana 44 with drum brakes. Was gonna try to convert it to disk, but just got a normal one instead.
But it did have u-joints.

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/04/13 05:29 AM

72-74? I don't know much about pre 72

Posted By: OhioMopar

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/04/13 07:20 AM

Quote:

72-74? I don't know much about pre 72

Duh. Missed that part. Sorry. I'm actually not sure what year it was. Most likely pre-'72.

Posted By: 694spdRT

Re: Closed knuckle front axles. - 02/05/13 01:25 AM

I've got a closed knuckle Dana 70 front out of an old International 1 ton. From what I have read the IH versions are supposed to not have the Tracta joint setup. Still has the drum brakes though.