Is there an axle width difference between a full size '79 Bronco axle and an 80 Ford 1/2 ton axle?
How would you rate the axles on the 1/2 ton? U-joints? Axles shafts? etc.

 

Jim,
There shouldnt be any difference in width between the two,but the axles are right at the cut off year between the Dana 44(79 and newer on most models)and the Dana 44 "reverse rotation"(straight axle from 80-83,TTB from 83 on). You will need to compare the differential housing and make sure it is on the same side as the front axle output shaft from the T-case. as far as strength of components,the dana 44s (standard and reverse rotation) are both considered reliable in all but the more adverse conditions.I would stay away from the TTB axle, although it is as reliable as the straight axles it has all of the problems that the TTB is well known for(hard to align,more difficult to service,etc....).If you are planning on running extreme amounts of HP and really being rough on the truck,you will probably eventualy destroy a Dana 44,although they are fairly stout,the Ring and pinions are not that beefy especialy at the lower gear ratios the pinion gets a little bit on the puny side.If you go no lower than 4.56:1 you probably will be ok with a moderately powered engine.The stock axles are reliable,but the 19 spline models have a reputation of occasionaly destroying the stock spider gears,and taking out the carrier with them,if you have the 30 spline model and especialy if you install an aftermarket locker or LSD(with its own carrier such as a detroit or tru trac),then you end up with a very strong set up.Warn also makes very good high strength axles,(over 150% stronger than stock).You will definitely want to replace the U joints they almost always destroy the axle shaft if they fail,I like to use Spicer U joints,but they dont make agreasable U joint,so i have been using U joints from 4WD Harware i believe they are distributed by Genuine Gear.You can use sealed u joints but I have found that the omly way to clean inside the steering knuckles is to use high pressure water which is very bad for sealed bearings,so Ive been using greasables and sevicing them very often.I use sealed Spicers on all the drive shaft joints,and greasables on the axle joints,it seems to be working well,I have been beating the **** out of my rig this summer with quite a bit of HP and have had no drive train failures(Other than an E4OD rebuild). Good Luck, let me know how it works out.
Jeff
Jeff

 

How would you rate the rear axle? Stock rear axles are the 9". How would you rate the u-joints? Axles? From what I have read the best years for the drivetrain were the 77 through 79 years. based on that, did they fall off the "wgon" designing the '80?

 

Jim,
The Ford 9" rear axle is as good as it gets for 1/2 ton application,Ford's decission to quit using it in favor of the 8.8" rear surely dissapointed a lot of Ford enthusiasts.The 9" with its extra pinion bearing support,and and its simplicity to work on make it an awsome light vehicle axle,(I run one in the rear of my Wrangler),but I would not suggest it over a Dana 6o / 70 or Ford 10.25 for a full size truck with high HP,monstrouse tires and low gearing. As far as the legendary strength of the 70s Fords I would have to pick the 79 F350 with the mono beam Dana 60 front,Dana 70 rear(both were full floating axles),NP 205 T.Case,C-6 tranny and 460 engine,"Not a bad a truck",although I think the Sterling 10.25 rear axle is as strong as a Dana 70 if not stronger,I have never seen or even heard of anyone destroying one unless major neglect was the factor. As far as Ford screwing up in the 80s as far as design,It was just a sign of the times,every other major manufacturer was going to independent front axles so Ford had to go with it also or they would have been probabley been blamed for living in the past.I think they should have offered the Mono beam front axles as an option though on the F250s and F150s seeing as they had them being manufactured anyway for the F350,(they do offer it now on the Super Duty F250s). Besides seriouse Off Road modifications and criteria could hardly be called main stream,after all who is going to design a mass marketed truck to handle 450 HP/600 Ft/bls torque and 36 to 40 inch tires? And thats the only way I know to get from point A to point B when accidentaly you find yourself on the starting line of a 4 ft deep mud bog,(with a Chevy sitting next to you so loud that you cant even hear your own motor). I actualy think Ford has done a very good job,I just personaly hate the TTB front axles,but the Borg warner T cases are very reliable,the E4OD is good(after modification),the Dana 50 is easily swappable to a monobeam,and the 460 is legendary.I wouldnt trade my set up for any other make,model,or year. Hows that for my 2 cents worth?? Later,
Jeff
91 F250 XLT Lariat 4x4

 

I am looking for a 79 F-250 now, thanks to your motivational write up. You da man!! I will be purchasing a ford "9 rear from a late '70s or early '80s Bronco for my YJ. Thank you for the support. I'm sure there will be more questions to follow.

 

Hey Jim, I have a 79 F250 4x4 right now and I'll sell it to you for $1500. It is very solid with a 400M big block, C6 auto., np205 t-case and Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear, dual tanks and gets pretty good mileage. It also has good wheels with brand new 33's. (Tires are probably worth $400 by themselves.) All it needs is a lot of body work. Frame is very solid though as is everthing else. Post if you or anyone else wants more details. By the way I'm in SW Michigan.

 

I am near South Bend Indiana. Do you have any pictures of the truck? i like to talk to you about it. Do you have an e-mail address?

 

Original Version. Susan Boyle - I Dreamed A Dream. - YouTube

 

lol's for the random crap viedos.....

 

how is that random?