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78 4X4 diff. problem

Posted By: 696pack

78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 03:14 AM

My 78 4X4 diff. is worn out at the output to the wheels. Is there a repair kit maybe have to have the case re-machined?

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 03:50 AM

Need a better explanation? Front or rear?

Posted By: 696pack

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 04:14 AM

Front

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 05:18 AM

Quote:

Front

Are you talking about the housings that the wheel bearings go into or the actual ring and pinion center housing?

Posted By: 696pack

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 07:03 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Front

Are you talking about the housings that the wheel bearings go into or the actual ring and pinion center housing?

Not the wheel bearing the actual diff.

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 02:33 PM

I assume the races fit to loose in the housing? If so I replace the housing. If its just loose bearings they can be replaced.

Posted By: 696pack

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 09:06 PM

Quote:

I assume the races fit to loose in the housing? If so I replace the housing. If its just loose bearings they can be replaced.

My mechanic says it is the housing and asked if anyone knew of a repair kit or if we were going to have to get a different housing. I thought that maybe there was an oversize kit available for this problem.

Is there a new housing available somewhere?

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 11:05 PM

I have a couple used but Im in Iowa. I can sell complete ire strip it of all moving components. if interested you can call me 402-515-3036 Im swapping in D60s

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/03/14 11:08 PM

New would be a Custom unit and rather pricey.

Posted By: 440trk

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/09/14 08:21 AM

Do you need a Dana 60F or a Dana 44? The HOUSINGS (respectively) are pretty much interchangeable from 1973-1993, so they should be fairly easy to find. Heck, if you shop around, you can probably find one that already has the proper gears in it. Dana 44's are very common, as where a 60F will be harder to find, and more $$$$

Posted By: viperblue72

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/09/14 12:48 PM

Quote:

Do you need a Dana 60F or a Dana 44? The HOUSINGS (respectively) are pretty much interchangeable from 1973-1993, so they should be fairly easy to find. Heck, if you shop around, you can probably find one that already has the proper gears in it. Dana 44's are very common, as where a 60F will be harder to find, and more $$$$

I would use a differential out of a 75-93 model. On the earlier divorced transfer case trucks, the pinion angle points farther down, increasing the drive line angle. Just find a unit that has the same gears, and swap it. If you find a locking hub model, you can swap your stuff from the ball joints out. I wouldn't recommend keeping the full time junk, but the part time has a different wheel bolt pattern A 3/4 ton dana 44 will work just as well, but you will have to swap everything from the ball joints out, and 4.10 gears are most common. The full time stuff commonly has 3.55. Good luck.

Posted By: BPDodge

Re: 78 4X4 diff. problem - 02/09/14 05:25 PM

I had a 77 Power Wagon. I worked at 2 Dodge Dealers back then. The problem was due to lack of grease the steering knuckles would wear out and just replacing the bearing and retainer kit would not always solve the problem. The big hole in the knuckle would wear just enough that the wheel would still wobble if axle was supported by a floor jack. Solution is to find a knuckle that is not worn out so bad.