Solid Axle?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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Solid Axle?
i own a 1980 ford bronco, i am looking into conveting it into a solid axle. however i have heard that fords TTB set up isnt bad at all. is a solid axle that much better? Has ne one with a lifted TTB setup taken it off road? if so how does it preform? does the alxes break?
thank u for your time.
thank u for your time.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
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From: Elkhart IN
well the ttb is a very useable front end for moderate offroading. you can usually go up to 35's safely. as long as its taken care of, a ttb front end is very reliaable too. i have the ttb on my 88 f150 and it hasnt givein me any problems at all.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
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From: Elkhart IN
its not lifted, but when done right, a lifted ttb performs good. i take it off road a good amount. lots of field muddin, trails, and water. never done any rocks but im sure it would do pretty good out there. right now im only running 31 mud terrains, but it does pretty good.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
I used to have a '96 Bronco and have seen a ton of them off road in varying degrees, most with the TTB front axle. As long as the lift is done correctly with all appropriate components they do very well, especially in our area. There are pros and cons to each setup. If you are going to do over 50% off road and need the tire room a SAS will be in order. If it is a daily driver and off road a moderate amount, stay with the TTB.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
since yours is an 80, i would definatly look into the SAS. you get better tire wear, better articulation. dont need alignments nearly as much. the reason i would is because 80 was the first year of the TTB and ford was just learning so finding parts is not going to be easy and most lift companys dont show an 80 year being available. if you have a solid d44 laying around i say go for it. but the swap even done by yourself will run you over a grand easy
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Whats the difference between an 80 TTB and the later years.
I thought that lift companys don't list the 80-81 kit because some of those came with a solid D44.
I thought that lift companys don't list the 80-81 kit because some of those came with a solid D44.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
1980 was a transition year for Ford between the TTB and the original solid D44 that was under the 78-79's. Some of the 1980 models still had the "remaining stock" of solid D44s under them and the rest had the earliest version of the TTB which differs from the TTB as the rest of us know it. I am not 100% certain but the rumor is that the major component difference is in the radius arms. Supposedly the 1980 TTB trucks still had the long radius arms like those used with the solid D44. Actually, if there is any truth to the rumor its actually a little better in the articulation department because longer radius arms mean greater wheel travel. This is why lift manufacturers don't normally list 1980 model kits though. I've heard people have "put together" lift kits by combining componenets from different year kits to compensate for the difference in the 1980 model TTB.
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Senior User
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the radius arms are longer then most other radius arms. I had a freind come over and look at it, he said he'd never seen a setup like it before. He told me that most radius arms share a pivot point, and the others pivot at two different points wich are located closer to the outside of the car. i am in the process right now of posting the pictures of the axle set up. and yes it is a cross between a solid axle and an independent setup. very interesting actually.
thank you everyone for your time, i really appriciate it.
jason
thank you everyone for your time, i really appriciate it.
jason
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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here are the pics, now to find out if the "mythical" lol, jpjp, front axle setup on the 1980 bronco is special in some way, check it out and let me know! cuz i dont know much about suspensions.
is it ne different? or do u need more pics to tell? if so just let me know and i cant get them no problem. let me know what u think.
thank you for your time
jason
is it ne different? or do u need more pics to tell? if so just let me know and i cant get them no problem. let me know what u think.
thank you for your time
jason