SAS d44 advice wanted
Ok guys, I've been contemplating my Sas for a few months now, I have a few questions.
92 f-150 straight 6, 3" body, craprancho front coils - 2", rust all over.
Would like 35's to 37's, 4.56 gearing, front locker, maybe convert to 9" rear, shorten frame.
Running trails in south Alberta- Mclean, Graves, rocky mtn house- it would be a weekend vehicle.

Questions--

-Are there different axle widths from axles produced in the late 70's from Ford?

-Which is the ideal year for an axle- I have read 77-78-79. I have a line on a coil sprung 79- rebuilt to the **** for about $1000. Not too sure on the axle tube size though.

-Ball joints or kingpins- is that even an option. Why?

-Does wall thickness (1/2") directly affect tube OD (3")- Ie would the 1/4" wall thickness have different tube OD than an axle with 1/2" wall?

-Can I convert coil spring buckets to leaf spring perches easily on the axle- and vise-versa? Or should I specifically look for specifically what I want- leaf OR coil?

-Lift kit- the guy selling the axle also has a lift kit- coil sprung 4" superlift - for sale. For a 79ish bronco. Would it possibly fit onto my '92 f-150? How is the ride on the superlift? Why is that stuff all yellow? WHY? If all the parts look good- I think I'd offer $1500. What's fair?

-Coil springs- What I am concerened about is alot these pictures I see on the net are with bowed out coil springs. They look weird- why are these trucks like that? Is it the bottom coil bucket that isn't out far enough? This is kindof the reason I want to go leaf sprung- everything's straight.

Thanks for your time boys- all comments and biased opinions appreciated.

Stepho

 

-Are there different axle widths from axles produced in the late 70's from Ford?

yes, there are the full size widths and then the early bronco D44 width (much narrower), aside from that... no

-Which is the ideal year for an axle- I have read 77-78-79. I have a line on a coil sprung 79- rebuilt to the **** for about $1000. Not too sure on the axle tube size though.

wow! $1000 for a Dana 44? you know you could EASILY find a D60 for that all day long and it would be stronger than that rebuilt 44 without being rebuilt?!?! 78/79 were the only years for straight axle D44, after 79 ford went to TTB

-Ball joints or kingpins- is that even an option. Why?

D44's only came in ball joint (as far as i know)

-Does wall thickness (1/2") directly affect tube OD (3")- Ie would the 1/4" wall thickness have different tube OD than an axle with 1/2" wall?

i would say yes but i am not entirely sure

-Can I convert coil spring buckets to leaf spring perches easily on the axle- and vise-versa? Or should I specifically look for specifically what I want- leaf OR coil?

D44's only came with coils unless you find the D44 HD, but yes they are quite easy to convert

-Lift kit- the guy selling the axle also has a lift kit- coil sprung 4" superlift - for sale. For a 79ish bronco. Would it possibly fit onto my '92 f-150? How is the ride on the superlift? Why is that stuff all yellow? WHY? If all the parts look good- I think I'd offer $1500. What's fair?

depends on what is in the kit, the coils will bolt in and the shocks should be the same but if you have any bracketry then you may have a problem as the frames were built quite differently.

-Coil springs- What I am concerened about is alot these pictures I see on the net are with bowed out coil springs. They look weird- why are these trucks like that? Is it the bottom coil bucket that isn't out far enough? This is kindof the reason I want to go leaf sprung- everything's straight.

i've seen some pretty abused hardcore rigs with bows in the springs and they dont seem to care. it's hard to get coils straight sometimes and to me it aint worth the extra time. it's a combination of frame and axle not being lined up and the coil buckets are actually angled outward creating most of the bow. that helps keep the coil from geting loose and clanking around.

-cutts-

 

If you go with a Dana 44, 76.5-79 is what you want, as Cutts said only ball joints were used on the axle you're looking for. If you have access to a 79 parts truck, use it. Since you have a 3" body lift, you can use 4" 79 coils, they will work and you won't hit the crossmember (I used 4" coils when I did mine). My coils did not bow out, kept the stock uppers and used 79 lower retaining cans. I used a custom 18" adjustable track bar and custom lower shock mounts, a '90 F3504x4 drag-link and '78 tie-rod. I suggest at least a Dana 60 FF rear swap and 8-lug the front, swapping in a 9-inch isin't worth it for only a marginal strength gain.

 

I used upper coil buckets from JBG when I did the sas on my 94. I was able to place them so my coils were'nt bowed. Pics are in my gallery.