what's up guys, been a while since I've posted on here. I was playing around with getting more power from my F-350 with a 460, but I have started to play with something different now.
I have recently acquired an 86 F-150 4x4, I have never been a fan of trucks that do not have the solid front axle. I have a 78 F-150 4x4 as a donor truck for all the parts. I would much rather restore the old 78, but it is to far gone in a lot of area's and would cost quite a bit more.

Now on to my question, I would like to know if anyone on here has done this swap before, and how many of the parts will actually swap right over. I have done a search and there seems to be a little bit of info missing that I'm looking for. The main thing I want to know is...will the radius arm brackets be a direct bolt on? or will there be some heavy modification to mount those? Unfortunately, I don't have the 78 here at the house for a reference. It's about an hour away at the moment. Will the front drive shaft be a direct bolt in, or do I need to get a custom U joint for it? Will I have to use the pitman arm from the 78, or will the one on the 86 work with the drag link? Any help, or tips will be appreciated.

The donor truck has 355 gears with a 9in rear. Going to swap both axles. I will not be lifting it either, so it will be sitting at whatever height the parts set it at.

Thanx.

 

in the 4x4 section 9.ford.5 did a really good write up on an sas and on fullsizebronco.com they have an entire section dedicated to sas swaps the f150 and bronco swap are identical



edit: 9.ford.5's "guide" https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...wap-guide.html

full size bronco: http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...splay.php?f=29

 

that is some great info. Thanx a ton

 

no problem, i personally like 9.ford.5's walk through the best, but FSB has tons and tons of info. also 9.ford.5 is a really helpful guy to consult about any questions you may have.

 

Your going to need to do some major trimming to the front crossmember if you don't want any lift.

As for the radius arm mounts, pretty sure most guys use the stock '73 - '79 mounts, just slid farther back on the frame as the solid axle trucks have longer radius arms.

 

Thanks guys. I was unaware of the fitment issue between the axle and crossmember. I think im going to do a little trimming and go with just a 4in lift. it think it would give it a perfect stance and I wont have to break the bank buying HUGE tires to fill the fender wells afterwards. Maybe a 35x12.50 will be plenty for what i'll be doing with the truck.

9.FORD.5's step by step info is very informative, and easy to understand.

 

I'm running 35's on my SAS. I think I've got quite a bit of lift, probably 6 - 8 inches, but I've always preferred that look with lots of room between the tires and fenders, opposed to the big tires wedged under a truck with not enough lift, like a hippo in high heels.

With the front end fully flexed out the 35's are just touching the inner fenders.

 

good looking truck. thanx for sharing the pics.

 

i got 7" not on a sas but 4" suspention and 3 body with 35/12.50's

 

that's a good lookin Bronco as well. Personally, i'm not too crazy about a body lift, but either way, yours has a nice stance to it.