Chevy Dana 44 Build Help

M

mikeindustries

Member
Hey all. I have a '76 Scout II 4wd with a 304. It has Dana 44s under it (stock) now, SUA , with disc brakes. I have plans to do a SOA with a shackle reversal. I just picked up a complete Chevy d44 with flattop knuckles for 175.00 off craigslist. It is a disc brake axle, 6 lug now. I am going to cut it down to fit stock length Scout axles. I am just not sure what parts I can use from the Chevy setup, and what I need to buy. I will get 5 lug rotors so I can keep the rims I have now. I have done tons of searching and it is becoming confusing as to what I will need to purchase. Any help is appreciated.
 
So what I have figured out so far is (I think) is I will use the stock axle shafts from out of the d44 in the Scout now. I will need to buy new rotors, I think stock Scout ones. The rotors on the Scout now are pretty grooved.

I am not sure if the stock Scout spindles will be a direct bolt on to the Chevy d44 knuckles or if the knuckle will need to be redrilled.

I am also not sure how the brakes will be set up. Use the Scout caliper brackets or ??

Was hoping to be able to figure most of this out prior to tearing in to it. Wanted to have a strong majority of the parts required in the garage.
 
There has been a bunch of threads in here, and through out the net, regarding this very transormation.

The Chevy calipers and backing plate that hold calipers will be kept and used. Then Ford rotors and hubs, which will give ya the 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern to match the rear.

If memory suites my feable brain, the Chevy 6 bolt short spindles will work with the Ford rotors.

If you want to source out all the parts in one location, check out the IH Parts America online store

GM front Dana 44 brake kit.

There are a number of other axle guru's more experienced than me who have also done this very same conversion. I'm sure they will chime in here eventually. Holiday season is upon us.

Here's another source for a good write up on the subject. - Dana 44 tech
 
You need to check the Chevy axle to see if it has small bearing or large bearing spindles. You need the small bearing spindle for the Ford hub/rotor 5 lug swap...

Then just tear it all apart, cut it down, set your caster, weld it back together and rebuild it with the Scout inner axle shafts and Ford hub and rotors.... It really is almost that easy :d

spindle_line_up.jpg


Big bearing, small bearing, Scout spindle line up


that http://d44tech.com Site is ok - the guy is kind of a blow hard, wind bag, know it all :d
 
Thanks foe the link to the d44 tech web site. Great info. I have the small bearing spindles which I am happy about due to the money savings. Gonna start looking for a deal on the Ford hubs and rotors and Chevy calipers. Thanks for the help. I will continue to post my progress with pics here.
 
So how does one tell if its a large bearing GM or small bearing GM hub while salvage yard scouting? Are there any specific years to look for?
 
How about the hubs and rotors? What fords will these be on? Theres a 4wd Bronco in my local junkyard with the rotors still on it, and they look good.
 
mikeindustries said:
how about the hubs and rotors? What fords will these be on? Theres a 4wd Bronco in my local junkyard with the rotors still on it, and they look good.
Click to expand...

Tons of f150 and broncos ran the correct 5 lug wheel hub and rotor. Even up into the ttb front end years like 1991 or something..

So starting in about 1975'ish when Ford went to disc brake Dana 44 front axle upto the end the 1991 broncos/f150's.
 
Are people putting all of these parts together trying to get stronger locking hubs??? I am a bit confused since all of the Scout 2 parts can be reused when putting a Chevy Dana 44 in. If you want to use the Chevy knuckle then you just have to redrill them to the 8 lug IH pattern. All of your IH parts are then reused all the way out to the locking hubs. Personally I like having the original IH stuff rather than someone looking at my locking hubs and asking what Ford front end I installed in my Scout! :rolleyes5:
 
1badscout1 said:
are people putting all of these parts together trying to get stronger locking hubs??? I am a bit confused since all of the Scout 2 parts can be reused when putting a Chevy Dana 44 in. If you want to use the Chevy knuckle then you just have to redrill them to the 8 lug IH pattern. All of your IH parts are then reused all the way out to the locking hubs. Personally I like having the original IH stuff rather than someone looking at my locking hubs and asking what Ford front end I installed in my Scout! :rolleyes5:
Click to expand...

Only speaking for myself,

I don't like the idea of drilling the knuckles. I have seen pics and I think it creates a major weak link in the drive train. My Scout will never be a hard core crawler. But will be used for getting far off the beaten path. Would not want that part to fail, that would pretty much completely disable the rig.
 
Chevy/gmc Dana 44's are already set up SOA(spring over axle) from the factory. Scout axles are not. Lot of guys/gals, including myself, who lift their scouts end up going SOA (spring over axle). Which gains roughly 5" of lift.

Also, in order to keep the same 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern for wheels, Ford rotors and hubs are used. Which the small bearing Chevy spindles are used in order to mount the Ford rotor/hub combo.

Then when going high steer, some people get flat top steering knuckles that are already machined and drilled to except the spindles and flat top steering arms.

Hope this helps
 
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