Posted by Paul on December 03, 1999 at 20:42:47:
In Reply to: Dana 44 with disc brakes posted by Paul H. on December 03, 1999 at 18:43:38:
{{I have the opportunity to purchase a Dana 44 with disc brakes from a '79 Power Wagon to use in my '65 Town Wagon. Approx. 70K miles on axle. Asking price $350. Is it worth the money? }}
It seems a bit high to me. Are you running the 5 lug, 4½ inch bolt pattern? That's what you'll be getting on the '79 axles. Also, what gear ratio do you have in the rear. You want the front to be slightly lower. (i.e. 3.55 in the rear and 3.54 in the front) This will keep your transfer case from over running.
Check the bearings very carefully on the '79 axle. If the bearings go, only the brake caliper is holding the wheel and rotor on. I replaced the ones on the left side of my '78 Trailduster a couple of years ago and it ran around $165 for one side. This was both inner and outer bearings and the spindle as the old bearing had sawn half way through the spindle.