Alright guys, I know the whole 4wd conversion for a 2wd bump conversation has been beat to death, but I had a theory that I thought I would run by you. I have a 3/4 ton bump, but I was considering putting a 1/2 ton dana 44 underneath it (after an 8 lug conversion).

Seeing as though a (1/2 ton) bumpside (or dentside, for that matter) Dana 44 is coil sprung with 4 inch coils, and has a similar if not identical track width to a twin I-beam front end, would it be a viable swap option? With a 4-6 inch lift spring, the pumpkin should clear the crossmember, so then all that's left is to move the radius arm anchors back, and figure out the steering, correct? (Just for mounting the axle, the transfer case I can figure out on my own)

And I imagine that the steering could be resolved with a 4x4 steering box and bracket (with fab work involved)

Again, this is just a theory, so feel free to correct anything you think is wrong, I'm asking you guys because you know a heck of a lot more than I do.

 

I don't see why not. But then why not fabricate a 3 link setup like the late model super duty and ram trucks use?

 

Well that setup would certainly have better manners overall, but wouldn't the Dana 44 require the least fabrication/modification? I was thinking I could use the stock spring buckets, and that the only modification required to mount the axle would be installing the new radius arm brackets?

 

I suppose... but if you're gonna be. Fabbing brackets anyway, why not improve? The 3 link system I'm thinking of would be very easy to build. And then you could use any axle you wanted too.

 

What type of three link system were you thinking? Similar to the setup those boys at 4 wheeler cooked up?
1979 Ford F-150 - Three Link Suspension Conversion - 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

And to be honest, the main reason Im hesitant for a setup like that is simply that I haven't ever dealt with a three link suspension. Do you really think it would be easy to build? (with decent fab skills, a plasma cutter, a mill, and a welder?)

 

This is what I would try to replicate....

 

OP, your plan will work fine, I considered doing it.

I found a F100/radius arm D44HP that already had 8 lug outers swapped on including disc brakes which would work with the stock D60 rear.


The amount of fab is roughly equal to a custom leaf, link or late model superduty axle swap. A decent steering setup is the most work/$. That said a pair of SD axles (D60HP/10.5) with big discs can be had for a good price and will support a bigger tire more safely.

 

Just not with wheels with a bunch of negative offset. Sticking the wheels and tires way out like the SD guys like to do creates leverage against the hub bearings. Which wears them out quicker. At least with the early SD axles. 99/01 ish. I haven't sold many later model SD hub/bearing assemblies. I believe Dodge uses the same style. Not sure about GM.

 

With a D44 and 4-6" of lift, you will definitely need 78-79 Bronco/150 extended length radius arms and mounts. And probably need 4wd spring buckets and shock mounts. With all this tinkering around, just mount your body on a 82+ (80-81 frames are swiss cheese frames) frame and be done with it.

 

I'd think you'd be ahead of the game just getting a high boy.

Days & nights you'll be buying axles & parts fabing this & that making custom parts always seems to have cost over runs way more of with any luck come out about the same as a nice 4wd truck.

Stock 4wd truck sell easier an being in more money then a Frankenstein truck put together.

Or make it in a rock crawler.
Orich

 

The 2wd radius arms are about 23", while the 4x4 ones are 32", so you'll have to move the mounts. The D44HD had larger tubes, so the mount diamonds would need to be ground to fit. I believe the 8lug D44 outers will fit on a standard D44, but I have not confirmed that.

 

ford-six,
what do you mean by mount diamonds? The end of the radius arm?

 

Actually like I said before he is going to have to use extended length 4wd radius arms, not stock 4wd arms, to compensate for the amount of lift needed to clear the crossmember. That is to keep a semi-stock suspension geometry. That is why they make them longer. The 8 lug D44 outer swaps have been done for years. I first saw mention of it in 1981 IIRC in Four Wheeler magazine on a 78-79 Bronco.

 

The pieces that weld onto the axle:

These are available, but only for the smaller tube D44. If you use a D44HD or a D60, you will need to grind them a bit wider so they will fit tight to the axle.
You will need to move the frame end radius arm mounts to use either the stock Ford or long arms.
One thing I saw on a 4x4 converted van ambulance was an adapter block to use the 2wd radius arms on a 4x4 axle (in this case it was a TTB setup but similar concept). I am going to copy this on a current 4x4 conversion project using a Dodge axle.

 

Hey does anyone know exactly what I would need to convert this half-ton 5 lug drum to an 8 lug disc setup? I've heard a bunch of conflicting things. Some say that all I need is calipers, rotors, and hubs from a 3/4 ton Chevy from 73-87, but I am certainly open to your thoughts. Thanks