solid axle swap
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
solid axle swap
So I found a 70s truck at the junk yard today that has a solid front axle, Springs, radius arms, everything. wondering what else I'm going to need if I buy those things to make it bolt in as far as brakes and stuff.
Also wondering how tall it's going to be compared to my leveled 2wd setup so I'll know how much I'm going to have to lift the back.
Also wondering how tall it's going to be compared to my leveled 2wd setup so I'll know how much I'm going to have to lift the back.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,564
Likes: 5,601
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
77 and older pickup tucks had a 33 inch wide frame, 78 and newer pickup trucks have a 36 inch wide frame. so if it is a 77 and older, the rear will not fit in a 78 and newer truck without a bunch of modification.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
I'm not trying to swap in the rear axle. It's just a D44 out of what I'm assuming is a 78-79 truck because it has disc brakes and it's 5 lug.
I can get the whole rig for $150 but the housing needs a rebuild because it's missing an axle. May be worthwhile to hold off and find a complete one.
I can get the whole rig for $150 but the housing needs a rebuild because it's missing an axle. May be worthwhile to hold off and find a complete one.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
There's a track bar on the front of that too isn't there? Or is that just with leaf springs? I've never done one on a half ton but I did it on my 3/4 ton.
Also, I wouldn't be afraid to get a front end that needs work, because you should probably rebuild it anyway so you don't have to tear it apart later. It's easier to do out of the truck.
Also, I wouldn't be afraid to get a front end that needs work, because you should probably rebuild it anyway so you don't have to tear it apart later. It's easier to do out of the truck.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
There's a track bar on the front of that too isn't there? Or is that just with leaf springs? I've never done one on a half ton but I did it on my 3/4 ton.
Also, I wouldn't be afraid to get a front end that needs work, because you should probably rebuild it anyway so you don't have to tear it apart later. It's easier to do out of the truck.
Also, I wouldn't be afraid to get a front end that needs work, because you should probably rebuild it anyway so you don't have to tear it apart later. It's easier to do out of the truck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Put chromoly shafts in it and be done with it. You definitely won't break them then. Otherwise, just order another shaft. $150 is dirt cheap for all of that anyway.
Trending Topics
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,564
Likes: 5,601
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
I'm not trying to swap in the rear axle. It's just a D44 out of what I'm assuming is a 78-79 truck because it has disc brakes and it's 5 lug.
I can get the whole rig for $150 but the housing needs a rebuild because it's missing an axle. May be worthwhile to hold off and find a complete one.
I can get the whole rig for $150 but the housing needs a rebuild because it's missing an axle. May be worthwhile to hold off and find a complete one.
77 and older trucks have a 33 inch wide frame, 78 and newer trucks have a 36 inch frame.
you will need to fabricate new mounts to fit an older axle into a newer truck
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
Got ya. I need to get back over and check what year that truck is.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 682
Likes: 15
From: NB, Canada
The OP is using a D44 High pinion. If it's from a '78 - '79 f150, it will have the wedges for the radius arm cast as part of the axle tube. So the axle is only good if your doing a coil spring sas. Sometime in mid year '77 they changed to that design, previously they just had welded on wedges which can be simply cut off and the axle could be used for a leaf or coil swap.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
I'm not going to be wheeling it hard. Just need 4x4 to get back to some good hunting and fishing spots. I'll probably end up just doing a ttb setup just out of cost and poor in a 4" lift with some 35s and 4.56 gears.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,790
Likes: 450
I love the ttb, no way would I run a solid 44 over a ttb . . . the benefits of ttb far outweigh the slight increase in strength with the solid.
with that said, the ttb will undoubtedly cost you more money. the lift bracket is not exactly cheap, and is not the easiest piece to fab in order to cut down on cost.
if you want a compromise between cheap and functional, leaf sprung high pinion d44 is the way to go.
with that said, the ttb will undoubtedly cost you more money. the lift bracket is not exactly cheap, and is not the easiest piece to fab in order to cut down on cost.
if you want a compromise between cheap and functional, leaf sprung high pinion d44 is the way to go.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dakotajeep
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
38
Oct 15, 2018 07:34 AM
DirtStripHero
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Feb 11, 2009 09:06 PM
1970Custom
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
2
Jun 10, 2005 07:20 AM
bigredtruck
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Mar 14, 2005 06:50 PM