I posted a message about converting my 89 F150 to 4x4 and was told it is a bolt on job. Would it still be a bolt on job using a solid axle instead the ifs?

 

no , the conversion to solid axle is a fabrication only install, even if you buy a "kit ".
just for thought, i have lots of miles on ttb type suspension, and unless your looking for the"look" of straight axle, or do serious hauling or off roading, i think your money is better spent on other modifications and goodies.

 

I was planning an eventual solid axle swap for my front end too until I started doing some research.
The IFS has more articulation than a solid axle. Unless you really need a stronger front axle, don't go looking for more work and expense.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 18-Mar-01 AT 10:21 AM (EST)[/font][p]The solid axle swap is almost bolt up! So close but it wount work for 3 major reasons.

1. You have that engine crossmember to contend with. You need at least 6" to 8" of clearance to clear the crossmember.

2. If you are familiar with Jeep and Dodge mono axles, you know about the panhard bar. It is the bar that stabilizes the axle vertically since the type of set up uses coil springs, and unlike leaf springs, the coils can move on all 3 axis. If you didnt have that bar you would be all over the road. The major problem with the bar is that there is no real easy way to mount the bracket for it. Ford moved the power steering gearbox around and that poses clearance problems with the bar too.

3. The spring buckets are narrower than the older trucks. The springs wont just bolt up. You would need to swap the buckets out of an older truck to make it work right. I am sure that you can swap the perches off the TTB axle to the Mono but i didnt try it...should of though!


But i am doing the swap right now...in fact the axle it under my truck. BUT i found out the hard way, that it just wont bolt up. If you want to convert to the Mono there is a kit from Fabritech. Here is the link [link:ford-trucks.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=post&forum=orrroad&om=395&omm=2|Fab ritech Dana 44 mono swap kit]. It gives pics to show what it will look like. The mono axle will clear up lots of alignment problems that plague the TTB too. I am about to get the 10" kit so i will keep every one posted how it goes. AND this kit will make it 100% bolt up! Hoped i helped!

Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald

Rather be pushing a Ford than driving a Chevy.

Like A Rock......In Water!

 

I know that Jeff's Bronco Graveyard has a kit (the Fabritech) that allows conversion to a solid front from the TTB. It does have a coil spring lift to clear the cross member, but it is pretty much bolt up using 73-79 F-150 solid front axle parts. Knowing that it's not that hard to swap from 2x to 4x, this kit should pretty much do what you need to do a full swap.

Good luck and if you use it, let me know because I want to swap my ttb to solid.

Karl Jett
'95 Eddie Bauer F-150 ext cab 4x4
Pro Comp 33's, 351

 

Ok, I'll forget about the solid and stick with IFS if I do it. Another question, will the transfer case from an 89 with auto bolt on to and work with my 89 5 speed Mazda manual? If no what would it take to make it work?

 

Uh....well if you are talking about just bolting up the transfer case up to the 4x2 tranny....No it wont work. You will have to swap out the 4x4 5 speed or get the Transfer case end cone that replaces the tail housing on the 4x2 trans. Then you have to get the output shaft shortned. Its alot of work...i dont see why you couldnt just trade your 2wd 5 speed for a 4wd 5 speed. Just a thought.....

Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald
http://msimg.com/nipimage/AS_flagcard0914.jpg

Rather be pushing a Ford than driving a Chevy.

Like A Rock......In Water!

 

I'm gonna do the solid axle without that kit, or 6" of lift....
I'm gonna either attack the engine crossmember with the sawz-all and welder, or, maybe even replace it with round tubing.
I'm also looking at going with leaf springs....
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide 4wd
HD 300-6 9.5:1 CR
Clifford 270H cam
Hedman Hedder
SBC valved 66 240 head
Headlight Relays - Delanty Style
NP435(6.69 low)
NP 205
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9" & Trac-Locked TTB
31x10.50/15 Cooper Discoverer LT's

 

82F100,

When that is completed, let me know how it turns out. I was thinking about swapping to leaves on my F-150 and going with the F-350 running gear. I already have the axles and springs from a roll over doner, so I just want to know if it will be worth my time to swap or just put the front on coils.

Karl Jett
'95 F-150 ext cab Eddie Bauer F-150 4x4
slightly worked 351, E4OD, Pro Comp MT 33's
350 hp at the rear wheel (I said slightly worked!!)

 

Talk to Offroad Unlimited; they make a variant of that F-350 reverse shackle kit that allows you to bolt in the F-350 axle...or had one under development, release imminent, February 1999 when last I talked to Steve.

Eddie

 

Eddie

You can do the coil spring straight axle convert, Cheaper and easier than a spring convert, achieving more travel too. biggest or most time consuming was the measuring and aligning of the strong arm brackets on the frame, they must be placed further back, the 350 setup rides really rough and is tough on the truck, also very time consuming since the front of the frame has the impact wrinkles in the rails, i think they interfer w/ the shackle backets even with a reversle. Go coil much more flex, straight axle is an excellent idea less tire wear stiffer and more responsive than TTB especially if your lifting, Dana 44 will handle most anything if your not absolutly bashing on it otherwise truss it and go. If i remember right when we did it several years ago the coils lined up on a 4x4 94 frame and we just had to get a deeper drop pitman arm and different tie rod, also the Dana 44 must come out of a 1973-79 ford or was it 77-79 they all have coils and im pretty sure the front frame rails were very close in width.

Good luck if Bryan or i can remember anything else about when we did it ill post. Good Luck
Dusty

 

How hard is it to just make a 95 f-150 from 2wd to 4? Don't they sell bolt on kits?

 

mustang,
you can bolt in the suspension from the front of a 4wd to a 2wd. get a similar year or close up to 96. you don't need a kit unless you want a solid axle.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Nov-01 AT 07:27 PM (EST)]YES you can fit a coil solid under the front of a post 80's truck. BUT the coils will not bolt up to the stock spring buckets. The you have clearence issues with the engine crossmember...then the Panhard bar...unless you are real handy with a welder and a plasma cutter......i would just go with the TTB set up....it wares tires...but it will get you through the mud. Like i have said before...Fabritech makes a kit for the Coil Mono swap....BUT bring the bank with you! I got it...and going to put it in....as soon as i get my engine figured out......

 

Fabritech or do you mean fabtech? Website by chance?