Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Originally posted by bluezukiboy
your are gooing to loose your ride solid axels ride alot rougher there a lot lift kits aviable for your truck the indapendant will work better off road you have more travel i have fabed a few indapendants but you can buy 9" 6 "supension 3' body
your are gooing to loose your ride solid axels ride alot rougher there a lot lift kits aviable for your truck the indapendant will work better off road you have more travel i have fabed a few indapendants but you can buy 9" 6 "supension 3' body
He wasn't completely wrong. The solid axle will not ride as well as the IFS. The IFS will work better off road....under the right circumstances. Solids are great for mud or rocks where the IFS is great for a pre-runner type off road truck. You can get a fair amount lift from an IFS, but the solid axle is the way to go if you want to sacrifice the on-road handling.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 870
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY Rochester
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Hey Guys! Justin hit the nail on the head there! In some instances, you want an over-all machine for street/off-road rig for mud, rocks,river crossings, and such that you want the drivetrain to be able to take the punishment and come back for more. That's were the solid axles come in. You still have to maintain it and keep an eye out for problematic areas.
In other instances, you want the stree/off-road higher speed Pre-Runner capability truck. IFS is great for that. In the IFS, you want the suspension to be able to take the punishment and come back for more. The same holds true, for maintaining and keepinh an eye out on the problematic areas.
If you expect your rig to ride like a car, buy one. But if you want a decent riding rig, lousey fuel mileage, able to perform most upgrades yourself, wash it when you want to kind of truck, well, buy a FORD.
In other instances, you want the stree/off-road higher speed Pre-Runner capability truck. IFS is great for that. In the IFS, you want the suspension to be able to take the punishment and come back for more. The same holds true, for maintaining and keepinh an eye out on the problematic areas.
If you expect your rig to ride like a car, buy one. But if you want a decent riding rig, lousey fuel mileage, able to perform most upgrades yourself, wash it when you want to kind of truck, well, buy a FORD.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Goin with that 77 D44 Ya might want to measure your Axles, Because i know on the the 80-up Trucks they are about 4" wider then the 79- back trucks. I'm not sure About the about your Body style trucks. If it'll measure up to the witht of the 80-up trucks, I'd Look for a front From about a 92-98 F250 or F350 with the Big ol' D60 up front and Built a pretty much Bullet proof drivelive from the start, They can be converted to Coils or Just left with the Leaf Mounts they are hung by.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
I think i'm just gonna get currie to make me a front axle if they do make them. Maybe a D60 like front. With a lil more toughtness than the 44. Then I guess i'll be able to use my rims instead of buying new ones. I figure it'll cost just as much that way as finding a 44. changing the gears in it and buying new rims. Either way it'll be a lil while before i start on it.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 870
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY Rochester
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Hey FordFanForever! Some good talking going on here today!
You can hit Currie up for either a 9" or a 44. You have a slew of options to choose from. Plain ole housing to the extreme. 28-31 spline axles, gear selection, lockers, aluminum or steel carrier, so much! Make sure they send you a current catolog and price list. Cool sticker too!
I've had a chance to follow some of their in-house project rigs. They use their own vehicle to see how their products function in the real world. Hot Rods to Baja Racer's.
You can hit Currie up for either a 9" or a 44. You have a slew of options to choose from. Plain ole housing to the extreme. 28-31 spline axles, gear selection, lockers, aluminum or steel carrier, so much! Make sure they send you a current catolog and price list. Cool sticker too!
I've had a chance to follow some of their in-house project rigs. They use their own vehicle to see how their products function in the real world. Hot Rods to Baja Racer's.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Hey Jim,
Thanks for the info. Do I just e mail them n ask for a catalog to get one?
Thanks for the info. Do I just e mail them n ask for a catalog to get one?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 870
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY Rochester
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Yes> www.currieenterprises.com<. Their website shows just a portion of their products, but their catolog will have more info. Don't forget the current price list... Talk to you later.....
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 4
From: Wichita KS
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
i'm doing the same conversion right now on an 85 f-150 get a dana 44 out of a late 70's bronco or 150(your bolt patern will be the same so no need to swap the rear!), you will need at least 6" coils for a late 70's(if you dont the pumkin will smack the crossmember at full articulation!) and keep the 80's spring buckets, aftermarket radius arms are a must for tires over 33's Fabtech makes a good set that uses HIEM joints at the ends(just cut off the shock studs and relocate them to the top for turning radius)
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 870
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY Rochester
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Hey there fordnut1985 and welcome to FTE!
Lots of good info! Can you post some pics? There are a lot of guys asking for info on a straight axle swap. There used to be a company out there that was reproducing the Radius Arms, but I can't remember what the name was. I think someone should post a question about the best suspension set-up. I know we're thinking along the same lines! HEE HEE!
Thanks again and we'll talk with you later....
Lots of good info! Can you post some pics? There are a lot of guys asking for info on a straight axle swap. There used to be a company out there that was reproducing the Radius Arms, but I can't remember what the name was. I think someone should post a question about the best suspension set-up. I know we're thinking along the same lines! HEE HEE!
Thanks again and we'll talk with you later....
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 4
From: Wichita KS
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
hey scooter, i'm trying to start a web page on the whole truck as a project, i'll let everyone know when it is up and running. as far as the repo radius arm check with jeff's bronco graveyard they might know the name of the vendor
ford blue by you
Fordnut1985
ford blue by you
Fordnut1985
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 870
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY Rochester
Fabritech straight front axle conversion
Hey Fordnut1985! That's alot of work and money. I have neither!
Jeff's Bronco Graveyard was in my head, but there was one of those JUST suspension companies out here who was putting them out. I remember them being birght red. Oh well, Have fun and keep us posted! Talk with you again soon....
Hope everyone had a great Holiday!
Jeff's Bronco Graveyard was in my head, but there was one of those JUST suspension companies out here who was putting them out. I remember them being birght red. Oh well, Have fun and keep us posted! Talk with you again soon....
Hope everyone had a great Holiday!
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
fabritech????????
I am looking for info on a straight axle conversion for 89 ford ranger. I heard about Fabritech's kit but cant find out how to get in touch with them. I found a web site but still no phone number or address. Please help!
