Posted by Craig B.
on 7/12/2009, 12:14:48, in reply to "Re: Dana 44 Axles"
64.12.117.15
As always you have posted a well thought-out process that everyone should look at when considering a repower of their Forward Control trucks. The bottom line is if you want a daily driver that will sustain today's road speeds you must look at all the drivetrain components. Everything from engine to axles. An automatic transmission is definitely the way to go. It may seem like a little inconvenience but that non-sync 1st gear really get to you after a while in stop & go traffic. With adapters you can have more power and a Warn OD can get that old drivetrain spinning faster but will those 5.38 gears hold up to daily highway speeds? Modern axles and transfer case are also a plus. Especially with the FC-150’s wheelbase either both or neither must be addressed. A centered rear axle and the offset Spicer 18 case will compound problems for sure. Non-self adjusting brakes on the stock axles can also be converted but once you start adding up all the cost of converting and adapting the old drivetrain it probably would be cheaper just to graft in an all modern drivetrain. Jesse, I sure would like to post this thread in the tech section of the FC Connection. Would it be OK? Thanks for all your carefully planned insight.
Craig
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