Solid Axle Swap- how much taller?
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Solid Axle Swap- how much taller?
I'm about to swing a D44 live axle front end form a '78 F150 under my truck, i need to know how much higher this sits so i can machine blocks for the rear. Also, do i need a F350 drag link or will the one from the older truck work?
edit: Will my rotors and calipers switch over? How about my auto locking hubs? (215,000mi they haven't failed me, why would i get out in the mud to lock manual ones?) I go to pick the front end up next weekend so i don't have it sitting in front of me
edit: Will my rotors and calipers switch over? How about my auto locking hubs? (215,000mi they haven't failed me, why would i get out in the mud to lock manual ones?) I go to pick the front end up next weekend so i don't have it sitting in front of me
Last edited by 93_F150; Nov 10, 2003 at 07:41 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CT
Well, i used my 6" coils from my TTB lift, to do this i had to make custom pads to bolt to the radius arm where the 78/79 coil would normally bolt to. The pad has a bolt comming up through it as a stud. I also used the coil pad soff the TTB, trimmed them up a bit and slid them over the studs now on the D44 solid. For about 3" of extra lift. (you will need atleast 6" of lift so the D44 wont bash into the low hanging TTB brackets) Use the draglink off a 92 F350. The radius arm brackets have to be modified to accomodate the angle they are going to be mounted on your frame, the face has to be pushed back approx 21deg.
The one time you really NEED 4x4 your autos are going to give out and your going to punch yourself in the face repeatedly, i'd just go with manuals, just lock them in before you hit the trail.
I'd stay away from blocks in the rear, they will give you severe axlewrap, look into doing a shackle flip, sky manufacturing http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/ford1.htm makes a nice one, i just put an order in for a set for myself today.
Your rotors and calipers will swap right over.
The one time you really NEED 4x4 your autos are going to give out and your going to punch yourself in the face repeatedly, i'd just go with manuals, just lock them in before you hit the trail.
I'd stay away from blocks in the rear, they will give you severe axlewrap, look into doing a shackle flip, sky manufacturing http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/ford1.htm makes a nice one, i just put an order in for a set for myself today.
Your rotors and calipers will swap right over.
Last edited by FordPerf300; Nov 11, 2003 at 05:19 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Whately, Ma
When I did my swap, I used 4" Skyjacker coils for a 78-79 F1504x4. People always say "You'll get 2" extra lift just from the conversion itself". This isin't always true. I reserched this swap for 2 years, and I saw about 15 different swaps, and I didn't see 2 the same. Everyone uses different upper buckets, lower buckets, homemade buckets, TTB coils, 78-79 coils, etc. However, after the swap, my truck sits totally level, as opposed to the ***-high stance from my previous 4" Rancho lift. Some things I used:
stock 94 upper buckets
78 lower coil cups
90 F350 drag-link
custom track bar 18"
with the 4" coils, it clears the crossmember no prob!!
hope this helped!!!
stock 94 upper buckets
78 lower coil cups
90 F350 drag-link
custom track bar 18"
with the 4" coils, it clears the crossmember no prob!!
hope this helped!!!
