I am at the nascar tech and have very limited internet access so i'll try to be as thorough as possible. It's a 77 1/2 ton, 500fwhp full roller 390 HiPo, T-18, currently 4.11 gears and as you may have guessed dana 44 front ford 9 rear. Now...here's my two options followed by questions on the favored theory...keep in mind I'm a poor automotive student and practicality is pretty good and i can always put 49/21/20s on later after i graduate.

first off is a complete superlift 6" suspension, new leaf pack and all. leave my 4.11 gears alone, get some nice beefy rockcrawling driveshafts, dual steering stabilizer, adjustable ranchos or procomps maybe. put a locker in the rear to replace the limited slip. beef up a few front end components(what might need addressed) leave the tru-trac, warn premium hubs, 2" body lift, 37/12.50 SSRs. I already have brand new brakes all around and will be upgrading to discs in the rear soon if i stay this route. I can do all this for under 3500 bucks and I think it should be pretty solid. It's gonna be my daily driver as my girlfriend will be driving my ranger. I will also from time to time beat the **** out of it offroad if required. So that's set up number one and more practical.

second and favored idea. 2" body, 9" complete superlift, front and rear DANA 60s, locker rear, air locker front, 5.13 gears dual stabilizers, ladder bars, 39 or 40" TSLs. Now...this will tack about another 2000 to the bill. This is my currect dream for my truck but I don't have access to many materials for this work. I dont know what exactly needs to be done to install the lift and 1 ton axles under my 1/2 ton and need some guidance as to whats involved b/c I will be doing it sooner or later. So what do you guys think about it...

 

The 9" won't hold up, save your money for a set of 60's. The rear swap should be fairly straight up while the front will require some mod's due to factory coil spring

 

I have to agree that the 9" and the 44 will not hold up when beating the shnizzle out of it while wearing 40" tires. You will blow **** up period unless a mirracle happens. If you didn't run more than 33- 35 inch tires you would probably be safe. If you got the money for the 60's, You da man. Ranger 429 is correct.

If I was you and wanted to get the best wheeling performance out of it for the money, I'd do a 6" suspension, spool the rear and put 35x 12.50 tsl's on that bitch. To hell with the body lift, do a neat fender job if neccessary(Shouldn't need it). Body lifts are a real pain to install and you don't get any articulation out of them.

Good luck dude. Old Fords Rock!!!

 

ok i'm back...well...i've thought of slappin some 35/15.50 SSRs on it so it would hold up abit better. I really want the 37s on it though. At least. I dont have much time for the dana 60 swap but i might could accomplish it. the dana 60 rear is no problem to obtain in the backwoods around here...and luckily my beloved girlfriend's aunt/uncle has a 1 ton 4x4 in their yard from which i can get a close to free dana 60 front end. guy at a local offroad shop talked though like it would be a maaaaajor pain in the butt to do the swap though. so the 35s aaare a possibility and i'll have 60s put back for later lifting...but i really want the 37s and most everyone seems to feel my stock drivetrain will hold them to a point offroad. think i could run a selectable locker in the front on 35s? but for 35s or 37s what parts should i upgrade or whatever in the front axle for it? I've decided it will be a 35-37 and in a couple years i'll set it up on 40s. so keep the advice coming fellas, thanks a million.

 

A dana 44 will hold up ok with up to 35" tire's. If you are going to be doing "light duty" and not extreme bashing 37's would probably be ok as well. I would swap out the center section for a locker BUT you are talking about putting the Dana 60 in later..... why waste the money on the 44? Do the swap to begin with, the 60 is going to be an 8 lug pattern as compared to the 44 5 lug so you will be looking for new wheel's later as well. Do it right the 1st time and you will be a lot happier when it is done. If you don't have all the $$$$, put it on the back burner and save up.

 

ok its gonna be 35s for right now...what would you guys recommend as far as components to beef up my front end....and heavier duty parts to go with aside from better hubs...also what would you recommend for a good reasonable selectable locker.