still in the advanced planning (dreaming) stage for the 78 Bronco. was wondering if the newer Jeep D44 Rubicon knuckles would fit the 78 D44? that may give us some more brake, bearing, and hub choices. yes I know they are 5 on 5 bolt pattern. not sure if the axles & splines would match either.

 

 

I would initially say NO, that because they use different part number ball joints they are probably not retrofittable. But that's just a total assumption on my part, not based in any experimentation or anyone else knowing either.
So I agree to give someone that deals in such things a call and ask. We know of course that many of the Jeep, GM and Dodge 44 knuckles were swappable, but back then they also used the same type of bearings, spindles and axles. In many cases the exact same part numbers crossed over between brands. And they all used the same ball joints. K8794 and K8795 I want to say, but hard to remember anymore. I don't remember ever hearing of anyone trying what you suggest because it was always about the ball joints.
And maybe the spacing.
It would be an interesting idea though, if they do happen to work with few mods. Be a lot of embarrassed truck owners that ignored a perfectly good swap option!

But there's always the ultimate cost. You'd be needing to modify/swap the axles or axle ends of course, as you were saying. Along with the hub/unit bearings (way more expensive than traditional bearings) that fit the Jeep knuckle, You'd be into it price-wise for one of the (quite expensive I think) hub conversions to run the larger 5 on 5.5 pattern as well. Then there's custom axles, or at least the short end.
Not sure how it's set up exactly, but I believe the stock small wheel pattern setup is no lockouts and the axle ends bolted right to the unit bearing. The new replacement larger hubs are available with lockouts, but would still need at least a new (maybe custom?) outer axle stub.
Since you've been hunting around, have you checked pricing on the large wheel pattern kits with hubs? Do you know how much they cost?

So all that said, even if the knuckles are a direct bolt-on in the ball-joint aspect, there's going to be more to it than just that. By the time you get it all retrofitted, you might be into it for the cost of a custom set of Wilwood discs, if yours are not already covered.
And since Wilwood is actually getting pretty active in the older Ford trucks, what you need might just be right there. I can't remember exactly why the '66-'75 Bronco was so different from the '76/'77 kit that they were not compatible with each other (rotor offset I think), but it seems like the ones for the older Broncos would work on the later full-size rigs like yours.
Maybe a quick call to Wilwood would let you find out if they're working on something.

Reason I keep bringing them up (aside from their popularity with the small Bronco crowd and that I happen to like them) is that by the time you've purchased all the Jeep stuff to upgrade(?) something, you might be into it for well over the typical $700 to $1100 that Wilwood gets for full kits.
And speaking of that, why are you wanting to change, or to have more options than you already have? Something you don't like about the stock brakes? I think they're pretty good until you get larger tires.
What size are you planning? At some point, maybe larger diameter rotors and a hydroboost setup is another good option.

Good luck.

Paul

 

Wilwood skips over '76 to '96 F150 & '78-'79 Bronco.
I'm thinking of 12.5" rotors up front, they would fit under most 16" wheels. not too serious about it yet, the Bronco was dismantled about 25 years ago and waited patiently for me to retire. I'm at least thinking about what to do with it now.

 

Roger that. But we should check with them. Since they make a kit now for the '76 and '77 Broncos, which use the exact same spindle as your '78 and '79 Broncos do, and the knuckles, while different, are still very similar overall, you'd think they could "whip something up" at a moment's notice. Ya know?
Anyway, if I get some time I'll give them a call and see if there's something to make of it. Since we sell Wilwood for the Early Broncos, it'd be nice to offer something up for the full-size guys.

Good luck with the build no matter which direction it takes.

Paul

 

I,m pretty sure the 76/77 broncos got disc brakes, the other years were drum.

 

Unit Bearings fail usually within 80k miles. And are a pain sometimes to remove. I encourage NOT to go that route. And being why our ford D44's are highly sought after to swap into jeeps.

 

Correct. But they make a kit anyway, so you can change to the Wilwood stuff if you want. Either for a cooler look, or for more breaking power.
Not sure about any improvements using the same diameter rotor, but they make big brake kits that require larger diameter wheels for the Early Bronco.
Was just commenting that the '76 and '77 Bronco disc brake spindles are the exact same (I believe the same part number even, but could be wrong on that) as the '78/'79 Bronco/F150 spindles.
The knuckles are different, but hubs, rotors, calipers and caliper brackets are the same part numbers between the '76/'77 and '78/'79 trucks as well.

Outer axle shafts are compatible length-wise between the two vehicles as well. Many EB owners have swapped in '78/'79 axle shafts by shortening the inner axles to get the larger u-joint.
I swapped a '76 F150's brakes on to my '71 Bronco's 44 to get a disc setup. Everything from the knuckles out just bolts right in place.

Paul