Differential swap question?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Clovis,CA.
Differential swap question?
I was wondering what the difference is in the early bronco front and rear difs from the 67-72 F100 4x4? I know the radius arm mounts and bracketry but is the wms to wms different. The reason why is I am going to sell the truck someday and buy an EB for my new ground up project and if my difs from my 76 F100 4x4 will work without causing me to many headaches I will go ahead and put d60's in the truck and save the high pinion d44 and the 31 spline 9" since both have all new parts and 4.56 gears and detroits . Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
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From: Southern Oregon USA
They will fit, but there are a few drawbacks/ obstacles to dealing with them.
Off the top of my head, the pickup differentials are about 6-8" wider than the Bronco's. You would need to cut off the rear spring perches and shock mounts, and move them inboard to match the Bronco spring mounting and shock placement. On the front, I have heard of a couple of people stretching the Bronco radius arms out to mount to the truck C bushing wedges. But this puts a lot of bind at the frame end and can limit travel. The easy thing would be to cut off the wedges and relocate them inward. However, many of the truck axles wedges are cast into the axle and can't be removed.
If it were mine, I'd remove the 3rd member from the 9" and install it into the Bronco housing and upgrade to 31 spline alloy axles. When buying your EB project, look for a big bearing housing or at least plan on upgrading to a 77 style housing. If you pick a 71 1/2 or newer Bronco, you will be getting a 44 already, although it wouldn't be a HP. It is pretty common to have a full size HP 44 cut down to fit in a Bronco, or refitted with Bronco tubes, but you do need some suspension lift for oil pan clearance.
Depending on what tire size and power you want and what you're planning on doing with it, you may even end up with 60's under your Bronco. That's where I am at now.
Jason
Off the top of my head, the pickup differentials are about 6-8" wider than the Bronco's. You would need to cut off the rear spring perches and shock mounts, and move them inboard to match the Bronco spring mounting and shock placement. On the front, I have heard of a couple of people stretching the Bronco radius arms out to mount to the truck C bushing wedges. But this puts a lot of bind at the frame end and can limit travel. The easy thing would be to cut off the wedges and relocate them inward. However, many of the truck axles wedges are cast into the axle and can't be removed.
If it were mine, I'd remove the 3rd member from the 9" and install it into the Bronco housing and upgrade to 31 spline alloy axles. When buying your EB project, look for a big bearing housing or at least plan on upgrading to a 77 style housing. If you pick a 71 1/2 or newer Bronco, you will be getting a 44 already, although it wouldn't be a HP. It is pretty common to have a full size HP 44 cut down to fit in a Bronco, or refitted with Bronco tubes, but you do need some suspension lift for oil pan clearance.
Depending on what tire size and power you want and what you're planning on doing with it, you may even end up with 60's under your Bronco. That's where I am at now.
Jason
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 256
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From: Denver, CO
I have an F-150 HP D44 up front that was narrowed 6". I have 5.5" of lift on it now with no clearance issues, but I could see where I could if I had much less lift. The easiest way is what Jason said, upgrade to 31 spline axles.
J.D.
J.D.
