Another 4x4 Conversion
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Cowtown, USA
Another 4x4 Conversion
Ok I have an 87 F250 2x4, 6.9l that I like and have become attached to. This spring I bought an 89 parts rig 4x4- mainly for the zf5 which i love by the way! Any ways I would like to put the 4x4 axles on my 87. I know that I will have to swap out the mountings, but before I tear into it just thought I would check to see if there are any other considerations that I should look for. For the record I already have the 4x4 trans and transfer case in the truck and has been working great for 5000 miles. I am going to swap out both axels It apears that the rear should bolt up just fine. I know that the mountings on the front are different so I was going to torch them off the old truck- about the first eight inches of the chasis so I have the indent and all the holes- and weld the hole assembly to the chassis on the 87. any thoughts and comments are appreciated.
Thanks
Kirk
Thanks
Kirk
Posting Guru
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From: Kent WA
I looked at doing that. Started a thread about it that generated a lot of discussion in the non-diesel truck section.
Pretty much figured I'd have to rip the whole front off the truck to git 'er done. After about 5 pages of posts, the idea that seemed like the best one out of all the ones discussed, was to get the axle out from under the front of an early 70s 4x4 and put under the front of the IDI, using the original IDI springs.
The early 70s trucks used a coil-sprung radius arm setup that should bolt right up to the existing mounting points and coil springs with little or no modification. Then you'd just have to mount the trackbar bracket off the 70s truck to the driver's side of the frame.
If I were going to make mine 4x4 that would be the way I'd do it. The TTB front axle with the leaf springs doesn't flex or droop worth crap from everything I've read. Its still 4WD, but doesn't wheel all that great - due to the lack of front axle articulation. Or so I've read and been told....
Pretty much figured I'd have to rip the whole front off the truck to git 'er done. After about 5 pages of posts, the idea that seemed like the best one out of all the ones discussed, was to get the axle out from under the front of an early 70s 4x4 and put under the front of the IDI, using the original IDI springs.
The early 70s trucks used a coil-sprung radius arm setup that should bolt right up to the existing mounting points and coil springs with little or no modification. Then you'd just have to mount the trackbar bracket off the 70s truck to the driver's side of the frame.
If I were going to make mine 4x4 that would be the way I'd do it. The TTB front axle with the leaf springs doesn't flex or droop worth crap from everything I've read. Its still 4WD, but doesn't wheel all that great - due to the lack of front axle articulation. Or so I've read and been told....
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 641
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From: Delta B.C.
Well... it all depends on what you want I guess.... TTB is a big pile of poo!!! I put a solid axle D44 under my bronco, and a D60 under my F250... both were great upgrades!!!
A 70s D44 HD is the same 8 lug pattern as you are running now, is already coil sprung and such... there are lots of things you must consider in this swap and I spent MANY hours researching my swap into my bronco... the result was, Drove into the shop at 6pm friday night, worked till 1am with 3 friends on it, got back to the shap at 11am saturday, and test drove the truck at 2pm....
my 2 cents
Bob
A 70s D44 HD is the same 8 lug pattern as you are running now, is already coil sprung and such... there are lots of things you must consider in this swap and I spent MANY hours researching my swap into my bronco... the result was, Drove into the shop at 6pm friday night, worked till 1am with 3 friends on it, got back to the shap at 11am saturday, and test drove the truck at 2pm....
my 2 cents
Bob
Posting Guru
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From: Kent WA
Originally Posted by Mr. Bob
Well... it all depends on what you want I guess.... TTB is a big pile of poo!!!
Originally Posted by Mr. Bob
A 70s D44 HD is the same 8 lug pattern as you are running now, is already coil sprung and such...
Originally Posted by Mr. Bob
there are lots of things you must consider in this swap and I spent MANY hours researching my swap into my bronco... the result was, Drove into the shop at 6pm friday night, worked till 1am with 3 friends on it, got back to the shap at 11am saturday, and test drove the truck at 2pm....
my 2 cents
Bob
my 2 cents
Bob
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Kent WA
Originally Posted by Mr. Bob
Anyone interested in this, please shoot me an Email.... I have lots of info on this...
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Freshman User
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From: Cowtown, USA
Swapping bodys sounds good but the 87 is an extended cab and the 89 is a standard cab
Last edited by Kirkus05; Nov 17, 2006 at 10:44 AM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
I an not use the language on this site that I normally use to describe my thoughts on the TTB front axle.
I can say one sentence that has every word in the four letter word book in it though.
The Dana 44 HD TTB axle is exacty the same axle that is under an F150 or the big Bronco except the hub has 8 lugs.
Plowing snow I have twisted off countless axle shafts.
When I finally did the Dana 60 upgrade when I was removing the axle I found I had also cracked the housing almost in half.
Big pile of poo is an understatement in my opinion.
I can say one sentence that has every word in the four letter word book in it though.
The Dana 44 HD TTB axle is exacty the same axle that is under an F150 or the big Bronco except the hub has 8 lugs.
Plowing snow I have twisted off countless axle shafts.
When I finally did the Dana 60 upgrade when I was removing the axle I found I had also cracked the housing almost in half.
Big pile of poo is an understatement in my opinion.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 641
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From: Delta B.C.
I ran 36" swampers on my 5 lug bronco TTB with a front locker HARD for almost a year... The key is weak hubs... if something is going to pop... best its a hub in my mind 
I had posted a write up on my sas with some good details... it should arrive here soon I hope
Bob
I had posted a write up on my sas with some good details... it should arrive here soon I hope
Bob
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 581
Likes: 72
From: Double Oak, TX
the 1990, f450 that we have was a factory 2wd. the first fire dept that got the truck new had a dallas shop put a 4wd conversion on the truck. the rear had to be lifted to make the truck level due to the rigid front axle. the truck sits pretty tall, which is ok, we have approx 4000 pounds sitting on the rear including 300 gallons of water.
i can't tell you how it was done but may can any after the fact questions.
j.hanna
dovfd
`90,f450,7.3l,5speed,5.13rear
i can't tell you how it was done but may can any after the fact questions.
j.hanna
dovfd
`90,f450,7.3l,5speed,5.13rear
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 641
Likes: 1
From: Delta B.C.
An F450 would be an easy swap... You can bolt a D60 right up to the stock leafs as it is a leaf spring 2wd. Also the spring are very tall, I think if you put F450 springs into a 4X4 F350 you end up with 4" of lift in the front...
then all you need is tranny/tcase, some drive shafts and level the rear and your laughing
then all you need is tranny/tcase, some drive shafts and level the rear and your laughing
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 641
Likes: 1
From: Delta B.C.
Ahhh crap... appears that the there is going to be a change in server next week... has caused a few problems as of late
I even tried to post this info in case the Emails got lost... the post never appeared either...
E mail me direct at
mr-bob@telus.net
and I will re-write what I had sent... there was a lot of good info
Bob
I even tried to post this info in case the Emails got lost... the post never appeared either...
E mail me direct at
mr-bob@telus.net
and I will re-write what I had sent... there was a lot of good info
Bob