Hey Guys I have a chance to purchase a complete 4x4 conversion off a wrecked 99 van, this includes a dana 44 solid front axle,two drives shafts, fuel tank, front coil springs and transfer case. It will be going into a 2002 e350 gasser 5.9. I think its a Salem krogen conversion, it looks just like what Sportsmobile sells. Is the dana 44 strong anought for a 350. Annnd the price iiiiiiss 1100.00 for the complete package. Also my van has abs,I did notice an extra wire on the dana 44 brake line so is it also conpatable with my abs? Thanks for the help
That's a big question. You can really add a lot of strength to a 44. Look at this link to compare what the stock ratings were for the 44 vs. the Dana 60, which is in the newer ones.
I was wrong its a Quigley conversion. still not sure about what to do, if it does have a 6 lug pattern on the front I will probable pass on the deal,I think a dana 60 is probable better ?????? Dave
Dana 60 is stronger than the 44. Better in the sense of less chance of breakage, but it's bigger and heavier... which really shouldn't be much of a concern with vans. Without going into a bunch of what will you be doing...
If I was running a v8 or even v10 I'd consider keeping the 44 and upgrading as needed (e.g. if something broke), but with a 7.3 or 6.0 Diesel I wouldn't... only based on front end weight. I would however consider buying the package sell the 44 and buy a 60... you're getting a lot of stuff you need to do the conversion with at most the need to swap the axle for something beefier.
Thanks for the help, I look at it again today and it turns out its a 8 lug hub. Thats good and the axle looks like it has new king pin ball joints. my van will not be used for hard off roading, mainy so i dont have to put chains on and lots of Nv, dirt(desert) roads. I will have to change the gear in one of the axles my van has 3.55 and the front axle is 3.79. Can anyone else give me a good reason to buy or not? Dave
Its ball joints not king pins,I'm pretty sure its a quinley, its has the weld perches on top of the axle and the same sway arms mounts to use the existing sway bar..I did find several Quinleys with 44 maybe some one else can help with quinley specs. Sorry no photos. Dave
As said above, you can't go wrong for the price. If later you choose to upgrade just the axle to a Dana 60, you have essentially all the other parts in place.
Call Quigley, they are helpful. Also there are some of the old torque tubes or the four link bars that have had recalls buy Quigley. You should speak with them about that too.
I think they may even have frame mounts to make it easier to install. ??