solid axle swap
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CT
You will defn need some fabrication skills if you can't lay down the $1800 chunk of green for the fabtech kit. There are a couple ways of doing the swap.
Radius Arms Brackets: If you are using stock RA and brackets off the bronco, you will either have to custom make some or modify the stock ones. The modification will include cutting the face and pushing it back 21deg, due to the location where they will be mounted, this will keep the face perpendicular to the ground instead of pointing to the sky.
Coils / Buckets: There are a few options here, if you already have a lift (like i did) and would like to keep your TTB coils you can. I made up a coil pad that bolted to the axle with a stud, like how the TTB is set up, the cup the coil sat in is retained from the TTB axle placed over the new stud and clamped down with the clamp and nut from the TTB axle. the coil them mounts as usual to the ubber bucket, with my 6" coils this gave me almost 9" of lift up front. You can also use 78/79 coils with 78/79 lower axle pads and TTB buckets.
Steering: Stock 78/79 tierod and drag link off early 90's F350 with D60 front is a perfect fit.
Brakes / Hubs: The brake calipers off your TTB can be used on the 78/79 D44, that way if you have extended brake lines you can keep them (and you will need them if you don't). You will have to use the 78/79 style caliper retaining pin. Wheel bearings, rotors, spindle nuts, lock outs will swap over from the TTB. (Although i reccomend having ball joints and wheel bearing replaced with new pieces, easier to do it now and know they are new)
Trac-Bar: This is one of the trickiest parts, you can use the stock 78/79 trac-bar but a custom mount must be made, and heavily supported. Making sure that when mounted the track-bar and drag link are as parallel to each other as possible.
If i missed anything i'll think of it sooner or later
Radius Arms Brackets: If you are using stock RA and brackets off the bronco, you will either have to custom make some or modify the stock ones. The modification will include cutting the face and pushing it back 21deg, due to the location where they will be mounted, this will keep the face perpendicular to the ground instead of pointing to the sky.
Coils / Buckets: There are a few options here, if you already have a lift (like i did) and would like to keep your TTB coils you can. I made up a coil pad that bolted to the axle with a stud, like how the TTB is set up, the cup the coil sat in is retained from the TTB axle placed over the new stud and clamped down with the clamp and nut from the TTB axle. the coil them mounts as usual to the ubber bucket, with my 6" coils this gave me almost 9" of lift up front. You can also use 78/79 coils with 78/79 lower axle pads and TTB buckets.
Steering: Stock 78/79 tierod and drag link off early 90's F350 with D60 front is a perfect fit.
Brakes / Hubs: The brake calipers off your TTB can be used on the 78/79 D44, that way if you have extended brake lines you can keep them (and you will need them if you don't). You will have to use the 78/79 style caliper retaining pin. Wheel bearings, rotors, spindle nuts, lock outs will swap over from the TTB. (Although i reccomend having ball joints and wheel bearing replaced with new pieces, easier to do it now and know they are new)
Trac-Bar: This is one of the trickiest parts, you can use the stock 78/79 trac-bar but a custom mount must be made, and heavily supported. Making sure that when mounted the track-bar and drag link are as parallel to each other as possible.
If i missed anything i'll think of it sooner or later
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cantedvalveFord
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Nov 30, 2003 09:44 AM
