1965 4x4

gasser vince · Post by **gasser vince** » August 24, 2006, 4:57 pm

Hello everyone!!
new here but in need of help? Just bought a 65 4x4 it has a dana 44 in front and dana 60 in the rear, devoriced dana 204 case.i am told the running gear is from a 71\72 f250.Is there any way to run disc brakes up front.i would like to get rid of the drums.dose anyone know what i can swap it out with. any help would be great!!!!!!!!!
thanks vince

Comet · Post by **Comet** » August 24, 2006, 9:00 pm

Go find a 77 1/2 through 79 and get disc brakes and high pinion center section. I'm doing this same conversion on my '71. Not sure what the '65 frame width is, so you may need to move spring perches. Obviously the MC will need to be upgraded too.

Paul Merrell · Post by **Paul Merrell** » August 24, 2006, 9:40 pm

Comet is correct about the years I am in the final stages of my upgrade Is your truck a f100 or f250 mine is a f250 used a axle from 76 f250 bolted right up did have to use longer ubolts bottom mount differant I have a 63 cab on my frame did orginally have 64 cab I like the 63 heater and vents the brake booster will be installed on saturday along with master cylinder and proportial valve from 76. If you have step inside the door opening on the floor you have a 64 and lower cab. The 65 floor just tapers down to the door opening this may make a differants in the way the firewall is made up to mount the brake booster and master. My 63 is differant than the 64

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » August 24, 2006, 11:02 pm

the 65 and 66 f250 4x4s use the early cab.(with the later roof)the f350 and up cabs are also the same untill 66, but the holes and pattern for the mc is different.so if you use a 350 or up you need to take the pedal supports out of a 250 and make a plate on the firewall.
personally i do not like the later 44s on the front end because of the ball joints and open knuckles. i would rather have the closed knuckles and the bearing style pins than the discs.

Comet · Post by **Comet** » August 24, 2006, 11:07 pm

Seriously Ice? Man I can't wait to get rid of that closed knuckle axle. I get laughed at on the trail :lol:

, plus it's too high maintenance for me. Trunion bearings always seem to need servicing. Plus, the high pinion is stronger in a front axle application and provides better ground clearance. And ofcourse the disc brakes.

gasser vince · Post by **gasser vince** » August 25, 2006, 10:20 pm

thankyou everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » August 29, 2006, 11:58 am

when i would go in the water the open ended axles always took on water.
the enclosed in oil u joints have lasted me much longer
the bearings and the knuckle seals are easy to change and adjust if necessary.
in fact i will recount a very sad day many years ago, the last time i owned an open knuckle 44 in my ford, when it blew up in the lake and i had to be fished from the water by a (these words are not suitable for any age group) chebby. once bitten....

64fordf100292v8 · Post by **64fordf100292v8** » August 29, 2006, 7:01 pm

Closed knuckles just look cool!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » September 4, 2006, 4:15 pm

Use like a 1973 or so and up on front Axle. Is it a 3/4ton or a 1/2ton?
Rob

Comet · Post by **Comet** » September 4, 2006, 11:01 pm

64fordf100292v8 wrote:Closed knuckles just look cool!

Not when you're getting laughed at on the trail! :shock:

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » September 5, 2006, 12:52 pm

kind of like the straight axle vs twin i -beam argument.
i just tend to stick with what is simple and has worked for me in the past.
i spent several years playing monster mudder long ago, bought more u-joints, bearings, and suspension parts many times over.was fun but wish i had all that $ back i spent in the parts store.

1965 4x4

1965 4x4

65 4x4

I have a 1977 Dana 44 with disc for sell