78' 4x4 axles?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: youngstown, ohio
78' 4x4 axles?
i have a 1978 f-150 explorer 4x4. i was wondering what kind of axles came on them. dana 44's? also, what kind of gears came in them? im thinking about putting a 6 inch suspension lift on it and was wondering if it would be better to re-gear them or just leave the factory gears in it. it has a small lift on it now with some blocks under the leafs but i want somethin a little better. it has 33'' tires on it now, i dont think the gears are having trouble pushin' them, but what the hell do i know. i guess it doesnt help having a tired out 351m either 
. thanks for your help.---ryan
. thanks for your help.---ryan
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: St George, SC I-95
A 78 F150 4x4 will have a Dana 44 front axle and a Ford 9" rear. 7 chances out of 10 you have 3.50 gears but maybe 4.09/4.11. You can check the tag on the axle or check the link below to decode your vin that will tell you what came stock. 3.50s are about maxed out with 33" tires and 4.09/4.11 are about maxed with 35-6s. The six inch lift will clear 35s easy. Maybe if you let us know what you plan on doing with the truck we can guide you in the right direction.
Good luck
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...ruckCodes.html
Thank Mil1ion, aka Dennis, for this site
Good luck
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...ruckCodes.html
Thank Mil1ion, aka Dennis, for this site
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
STG is right, alot of the 1/2 ton 4x4s came with 3.50 gears, and they aren't any good for a 36" tire.
A 6" lift will clear 36s easy, and even fit up to 39s, but you won't have much room for flex, and the 1/2 ton axles aren't really strong enough for 39s anyway.
4.56 gears would be good for a 35-37" tire.
A 6" lift will clear 36s easy, and even fit up to 39s, but you won't have much room for flex, and the 1/2 ton axles aren't really strong enough for 39s anyway.
4.56 gears would be good for a 35-37" tire.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: youngstown, ohio
thanks for the help. im not really an every-day off road driver. its mostly for street use with some off roading. i want to build a truck that does good on both. i'll have to check that site out about the vin numbers. i wanna keep the 33'' tires on it, i really dont need anything bigger around here anyways. and their cheaper than 35's,36's or 37's. i was looking at suspension kits off of Jackit.com, they seem to have a nice package that includes all the stuff you need. so you think i should put some new gears in my truck? would i buy the same gears for the front axle and rear axle? and also about how pricey is a set of them? --thanks --ryan
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
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From: Louisiana
IF you keep your 33" tires, it wouldn't be worth putting on a 6" lift, or re gearing. At most, a 3-4" lift, but other than that a 6" lift with 33s will look funny.
IF you were going to regear, then you'd want to get almost the exact same gears for the front and the rear(ex. 4.56 front D44, and 4.56 rear ford 9")(ex 4.09 front D44, and 4.11 rear ford 9").
A ring and pinion set cost about $140ish and $40-90 for a install kit for the front or rear, but it isn't something a average or below average wrencher should try to do. I'd say I know my way around trucks, and a shop, but didn't touch my gears. A professional instillation can cost about $1000.
IF you were going to regear, then you'd want to get almost the exact same gears for the front and the rear(ex. 4.56 front D44, and 4.56 rear ford 9")(ex 4.09 front D44, and 4.11 rear ford 9").
A ring and pinion set cost about $140ish and $40-90 for a install kit for the front or rear, but it isn't something a average or below average wrencher should try to do. I'd say I know my way around trucks, and a shop, but didn't touch my gears. A professional instillation can cost about $1000.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
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Since you said you were going to keep the 33s and mostly drive on the street, I would say get a 3-4" suspension at most and keep the 3.50s. Here's a pic of a rancho 3" lift and 33" swampers. https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=60256&width=2 It looks good, but they hover on looking "small" with that amount of lift. A 6" would look even worse.
As far as gearing, I listened to people like above, and got 4.10s for with my 33s. In my opinion, it was not a good choice. Driving around town and offroad was great, but if you want to go any stretch at 65 or so, it got old with the engine revving that high. Maybe you would like it, but I didn't and ended up getting 36s to drop the rpms back down. I really liked it with 3.73s and 33s for all around use. However, for the money, I wouldn't say regear for one ratio down.
As far as gearing, I listened to people like above, and got 4.10s for with my 33s. In my opinion, it was not a good choice. Driving around town and offroad was great, but if you want to go any stretch at 65 or so, it got old with the engine revving that high. Maybe you would like it, but I didn't and ended up getting 36s to drop the rpms back down. I really liked it with 3.73s and 33s for all around use. However, for the money, I wouldn't say regear for one ratio down.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
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From: Northeast Nebraska
How do you know the truck already has a lift? Just because you see the factory block in the back doesnt mean its been lifted. If it doesnt have a lift than Id go with a 4 inch lift and leave the 33's. 33's look funny under a truck with a 6 inch lift.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: youngstown, ohio
im not a complete idiot. sometimes i have my moments but thats besides the point. i know it has a 3 inch lift on it, not by the blocks under the leafs but the guy i bought it from said he put it on there. theres longer front coil springs and the steering stablizer shock. but anyways, thanks for the advice.
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