Front Axle Decision Help

[zazoos]

I am working on swapping my 71 2wd onto a 73 4x4.
I want to replace the front axle to get disc brakes. I have found a 77 D44 low pinion and a 77 D44 high pinion. The price difference between the two is nearly $1000.00. Is the high pinion worth the extra money? Should I hold out for a 78/79 D60?

Thank you for the help.

[zazoos]

The truck currently has a low pinion and divorced transfer case.

I appreciate the feedback.

[1972hiboy]

How serious of a off road rig are you planning on building? Is the couple extra inches of clearence worth that thousand bucks to you? If your just using the truck for normal driving with occasional off roading I wouldnt bother. My 72's drum brake d44hd has never gotten hung up on anything ive gotten myself into so I think it just comes down to preferance?

[stldesign]

Around here (St Louis) you can get a Dana 44 and 9in rear for $200-$400. Getting a matched pair gets you matching gearing. We are swapping axles from a 78 f-150 into our 1969 4X4.

We are having to replace most of the items on the 44 like u-joints, ball joints, bearings, rotors etc. So we are spending some money on top of the $200 we paid for the axles.