i recently posted a message about how hard it would to be put a solid axle under my 84 f150, which currently has an IFS, and i believe i could have the work done. but my question now is would i actually need it. i'm not gonna be doing any serious wheelin, just mainly a night ride through the mountains or to get to a hunting spot or something of that sort. would switching to a solid axle make that much more difference?
any advice or opinion will be greatly appreciated.
thanks
lr

 

I have had the IFs in my 82 for 4 years. I drove it without a lift for 2 years and it actually worked just fine. I have taken it into some pretty tough spots without a problem. I decided I wanted to do a little bit more extreme 4 wheeling, so I put a 4" lift under it. It helped a little by allowing the use of bigger tires, and I didn't hit the body on as much as I did stock. The suspension worked rather well for what it was designed. If you are going to do any serious wheeling or mud racing, solid is stronger, but the IFS will work fine too. I opted for the solid because I am planning on pulling some serious weight (approx 25,000 lbs). If your just doing some fun off-roading and playing, the IFS will hold up (Just don't abuse it).
Hope this helps.

 

I've been riding around in my '91 F-150 for about 6 months now since I'vce changed front axles. The truck was originally 2wd, and I've bolted in the D44-IFS setup from an '86.
I debated long and hard, i.e., leaf-spring solid axle, coil spring solid axle, or IFS.
I came across a screamin' deal on the IFS, and during a complete rebuild of the axle, I found that this setup has a lot in common with the coil/solid axle setup, parts-wise, making parts very reasonable (in fact, I beat some vendors up unmercifully).
The changeover was fairly cheap, aside from the differential and axle-specific items; steering, tie-rods, ball joints, etc., needed replacing anyway and were the same basic cost as the two-wheel drive stuff.
Converting to a solid axle is expensive, as virtually everything except the axle has to be fabricated,adapted, or purchased from a high-dollar specialty shop. I've also noticed that the pumpkin in the '78-'79 Bronco/F-150 donor axle needs to be moved outboard a few inches to line up with the engine crossmember recess. All the conversions I've looked at required BIG lifts for diff clearance (which is OK if that's where your head is), but: the big lift makes room for truly awesome tires; is the D-44 up to 40s or do you need to move up to a 60 now?.
Street ride and handling are unchanged from the earlier 2wd setup, for which I'm thankful since it's my daily driver.
Eddie

 

 

why can't you use the front end parts from a 92 f-350 to a 96 f-350 arent they all basically the same front end? i am wondering my self. because i want to switch to soild axle my self.

(like to rock crawl and hill climb alot)




michigan mud duck 1