Big Blue
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
I think they added the "C" clip and did away with the external retainer in 83 or maybe 83 was the last year?
Anyways, that is a decent upgrade IMO. Anytime you can go around opening the diff up to do tasks like changing U joints in the front axles then that is time and money saved.
Anyways, that is a decent upgrade IMO. Anytime you can go around opening the diff up to do tasks like changing U joints in the front axles then that is time and money saved.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Did he do the upgrade where they add a spring to the stub axle to keep it engaged? A lot of offroad guys do this so the pumpkin doesn't have to be opened up and a fix can be done more easily in the field should the passenger side axle shaft have an issue. I believe they also use a stub from a D50 to do this.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
Yes, that was how I understood it NS. Also, a lot of guys will use the stub out of a D50 because it is a little more robust. Although an HD44 may already have the same heavier stub in it.
Thread Starter
|
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I think they added the "C" clip and did away with the external retainer in 83 or maybe 83 was the last year?
Anyways, that is a decent upgrade IMO. Anytime you can go around opening the diff up to do tasks like changing U joints in the front axles then that is time and money saved.
Anyways, that is a decent upgrade IMO. Anytime you can go around opening the diff up to do tasks like changing U joints in the front axles then that is time and money saved.
As for upgrades, while he was in there a new 3.54 ring and pinion, an Eaton True Trac differential, and Warn Premium hubs were also installed. Not to mention new ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
The definitive source for all things Bullnose says of the dates "So, the change-over appears to have been between model years 1982 & 1983, with '82 and earlier trucks using the retainer plate and '83 and later trucks using the snap ring." And, he backs that up with lots of obscure stuff from a catalog of some kind.
As for upgrades, while he was in there a new 3.54 ring and pinion, an Eaton True Trac differential, and Warn Premium hubs were also installed. Not to mention new ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.
As for upgrades, while he was in there a new 3.54 ring and pinion, an Eaton True Trac differential, and Warn Premium hubs were also installed. Not to mention new ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
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
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
I'll be interested in hearing how the True Trac does on snowy/icy freeways (if this truck ever sees that). I know that anything other than an open diff will cause the steering to pull away from the tire that has better traction. And I know that a Lock Right (or any other automatic locker) is dangerous in how much, how fast and how far it will pull. Personally I'm not willing to try anything like a TrueTrac in a front axle, but I've heard they do OK there. But then again I've never heard a report on how they work on a snowy freeway.
Thread Starter
|
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Bob - I hope to get it out on something slippery and find out how the Tru Trac does. But, it won't be this round as I'm still pondering why it won't start. GO AWAY, ICE!
Jim - I'll look for the tag, but not at the mo. There's a sheet of ice in that driveway. Shame I can't get the truck in the shop, but Dad's truck is on the lift. Hmmm, maybe I can move the mountain of parts someone put under Dad's truck, put Dad's on skates and roll it forward, and then get Big Blue in the shop and onto the lift. I'll try that when the weather warms a bit.
Brandon - Probably.
Jim - I'll look for the tag, but not at the mo. There's a sheet of ice in that driveway. Shame I can't get the truck in the shop, but Dad's truck is on the lift. Hmmm, maybe I can move the mountain of parts someone put under Dad's truck, put Dad's on skates and roll it forward, and then get Big Blue in the shop and onto the lift. I'll try that when the weather warms a bit.
Brandon - Probably.
Thread Starter
|
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Close?!?! My son says I need "intervention". But, he was quick to raise his hand and say "I want Big Blue!"
I'm going through the documentation Vernon gave me and have found several very interesting things:
Then, with Rusty taken care of I'll turn to BB. Just want to find out what is going on with the engine and how expensive this is going to be.
I'm going through the documentation Vernon gave me and have found several very interesting things:
- 2nd battery: He was planning to put an aux battery in and somewhere in that pile of stuff is what I think is a NOS aux battery tray. He'd already upgraded to a 140 amp alternator as he was also thinking of installing a winch in that Warn front bumper.
- Skid plates: The truck has a skid plate under the mid-ship tank and t-case, but someone took a cutting torch to it at some point and took the inside edge off. But, there's no skid plate for the rear tank. So, he was reasearching skid plates and has a printout from the catalog showing which ones fit. As it turns out, I have the right ones in the attic off Dad's truck - and wasn't planning to put them back on due to the weight.
- Hydroboost: He was planning on converting the brake system and a kit of parts is in the pile somewhere.
Then, with Rusty taken care of I'll turn to BB. Just want to find out what is going on with the engine and how expensive this is going to be.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 9
From: Mims, FL
Wow Gary, nice truck! Glad to see you got it and got it home OK. Hopefully nothing too major on the engine; I'm sure you'll get it figured out in no time.
Great education here as always with all the good to know about the axles. I'll be following along, thanks for the good read so far.
Great education here as always with all the good to know about the axles. I'll be following along, thanks for the good read so far.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,966
Likes: 4,130
From: Angier, NC
From what I have seen and heard that is one he11 of a nice truck!
Something to think about on skid plates and metal fuel tanks.
They trap a lot of dirt that stays wet.....read rots out metal fuel tanks besides the plate rotting.
This was a big deal on Jeep CJ's.
Dave ----
Something to think about on skid plates and metal fuel tanks.
They trap a lot of dirt that stays wet.....read rots out metal fuel tanks besides the plate rotting.
This was a big deal on Jeep CJ's.
Dave ----