Converting '79 Solid Axle to TTB???
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Silverdale, WA
Converting '79 Solid Axle to TTB???
Has anyone on here ever converted a '73-79 Solid Axle to a TTB set-up from an '80-96?
If so what all did you need to do?
It already has radius arms. . .so will the '73-79 radius arms and radius arm mounts work for the TTB set-up?
I know this isn't what people normally do. . .I know the majority of people convert from TTB to a SAS, but I'm into desert racing and I want to keep 4WD with IFS. . .TTB isn't bad for the desert, in fact it's really good and there are some really good parts available for it.
I was thinking of going with a D44 TTB swap and then upgrading some of the weaker D44 parts to D50 TTB parts to beef it up.
Thanks for your help!
If so what all did you need to do?
It already has radius arms. . .so will the '73-79 radius arms and radius arm mounts work for the TTB set-up?
I know this isn't what people normally do. . .I know the majority of people convert from TTB to a SAS, but I'm into desert racing and I want to keep 4WD with IFS. . .TTB isn't bad for the desert, in fact it's really good and there are some really good parts available for it.
I was thinking of going with a D44 TTB swap and then upgrading some of the weaker D44 parts to D50 TTB parts to beef it up.
Thanks for your help!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: South Central PA
Its not for me, I'll stay with a straight axle, but if its whats best for your situation, I would say just go to the junkyard and cut the front frame clip off a good '80's or '90's truck and go from there. prob easyer this way than retrofitting everything on the older front end. Thats my guess
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Look for the extended cab 3/4 trucks, they tend to have the D50 most times... Another possibility would be to swap the newer frame under your sheet metal... kind of 6 of one, half a dozen of the other on the fab work...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
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Most of the desert guys swap entire frames. The later frame is wider than the early frame so welding a section of frame is not such an easy concept.
the frame x-member under the engine is also quite a bit different, and this is where the axle pivots are located, so there will be some pretty interesting fabrication to consider.
This can be done, I have seen early trucks with a TTB retrofit, but be prepared for some work.
the frame x-member under the engine is also quite a bit different, and this is where the axle pivots are located, so there will be some pretty interesting fabrication to consider.
This can be done, I have seen early trucks with a TTB retrofit, but be prepared for some work.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 372
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From: Silverdale, WA
I'm prepared for the work. . .I love to weld and do fab work, I wish I could do it full time!!!
I would probably end up wanting to run extended radius arms anyway so even with the correct engine crossmember I would need new bracketry at the very least, plus I would much rather run the radius arm with rod ends than the bayonet style mounting they are stock. . .I would probably just fabricate a new crossmember if that's what it came down to. . .
. . .I thought the frame looked kinda narrow on this truck!!!
Thanks for letting me know about the extended 3/4 trucks and the D50 too. . .I don't know that I want D50 outers though. . .probably just the R&P and the housing. . .don't know if that's plausible yet or not, but I think that I read that the outers are beefy to the point of losing travel. . .I will have to double check though
Thanks again guys!
I would probably end up wanting to run extended radius arms anyway so even with the correct engine crossmember I would need new bracketry at the very least, plus I would much rather run the radius arm with rod ends than the bayonet style mounting they are stock. . .I would probably just fabricate a new crossmember if that's what it came down to. . .
. . .I thought the frame looked kinda narrow on this truck!!!
Thanks for letting me know about the extended 3/4 trucks and the D50 too. . .I don't know that I want D50 outers though. . .probably just the R&P and the housing. . .don't know if that's plausible yet or not, but I think that I read that the outers are beefy to the point of losing travel. . .I will have to double check though
Thanks again guys!
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: sw colorado
Go to Fullsizebronco.com. There is always some one wanting to do a solid axle swap, should be able to sell your stuff.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
D50 swap has been done. Looking for pics to post...
As for the TTB - it's not super hard - you will need to make beam pivots obviously. My concern would be the stock 4wd cross member getting in the way. BUT if you can fab that's no big deal.
Dang - after a lot of searching - no luck on the pics. It was a 78/79 crew cab with d50 too
I have a new thread up looking for that old build - I'll post here if I find it.
In the mean time - I did find some cool builds while looking for that one. If you are bored - have a look
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52070
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58655
As for the TTB - it's not super hard - you will need to make beam pivots obviously. My concern would be the stock 4wd cross member getting in the way. BUT if you can fab that's no big deal.
Dang - after a lot of searching - no luck on the pics. It was a 78/79 crew cab with d50 too
I have a new thread up looking for that old build - I'll post here if I find it.
In the mean time - I did find some cool builds while looking for that one. If you are bored - have a look
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52070
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58655
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Ok - so it's not the build thread - but close enough...
Have a look around and it should give you some good hints!
Twin Traction Beam 4X4 F250
If you can fab you might already have a plan on how to approach this, but I would set the 79 in place and mark a center line on the ground under it. Then do the same for the donor/TTB truck. Take measurements of the beam pivots off the centerline and frame and then make your new pivot locations off that. Your radius arms can be made to pivot off the stock mounts on the 79, or custom mounts can be made further back to get a btit more travel/articulation.
I have some decent ideas on what to do with this stuff, so post up if you hit any snags!
Have a look around and it should give you some good hints!
Twin Traction Beam 4X4 F250
If you can fab you might already have a plan on how to approach this, but I would set the 79 in place and mark a center line on the ground under it. Then do the same for the donor/TTB truck. Take measurements of the beam pivots off the centerline and frame and then make your new pivot locations off that. Your radius arms can be made to pivot off the stock mounts on the 79, or custom mounts can be made further back to get a btit more travel/articulation.
I have some decent ideas on what to do with this stuff, so post up if you hit any snags!
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