The main issure with lifted TTB tire ware is, loose brackets, wore bushings/balljoints/tie rods. A lot of the TTB lift brackets leave something to be desired in sturdiness. I think some reinforcement to the radius arm bracets and TTb drop brackets and a really good alignment go along ways. Plus keep up on your tire rotates.

 

If nothing else I'm excited for the project.

 

Yes, the project is fun. I just don't think its much of a up grade at all from what u have already. Its basically the same thing - 1 u joint. What kind of wheeling do you do? The TTB is a lot better suited for rough, as in tires off the ground, jumps/bumps speed stuff. But, if your set on the swap, make sure you make one strong trac bar bracket.

 

Up here its all crawling for the most part I never break 20mph ever. Next year I think I'm going to do a S-10 2wd pre-runner for the speedy stuff anyway.

 

I'm really considering this swap, but to the person that mention just do 1 tons, could you point me in the direction of someone that did it, like F350 axles under an F150 without extensive mods? Is it kinda just "bolt on" if you will. I mean I can take a little work but custom fab and getting suspension geometry right probably isn't something for me to tackle just yet.

 

An 86 to 92 F 350 is the most desirable vehicle. Costs can vary, but Ive been buying entire trucks for a reasonable amount of dough:




The result:

 

keep in mind frame widths between the 70's models and the 85 and up models. also what type of suspension you are wanting to run.

 

Not that I want to start an argument with you... because I have read your arguments many times before. But I mean, assuming they're running D44's for them being cost effective and they arn't running 37's+. I don't really know if 1 tons would be a better deal to set up. I mean think about it, if your not going to break the D44's with only, say 35's, and you can get the axle(s) for $900 less. I think you'll be in the clear.

I can understand your argument that if your upgrading them later you might as well save the coin now, but if they run 35's, and don't have any problems with the half tons. Why bother, I mean.. could be years before they upgrade anyways.

Also, availability is a big factor. You can't always find one tons floating around. Some places have them all over and some places don't. I've heard of people driving hundreds of miles for a set of one tons. If you can score the whole truck with one tons for cheap, then go for it. You can make a few bucks back selling off or scrapping the rest of the truck.


And good luck to you! Have fun.

 

i agree with both of you, the dana 60 may be overkill in a situation like this, however the main reason a 1 ton sas is better in this situation is that they were actually made for this model year and are a bolt in ordeal. yes the d44 would work and may be cheaper than a d60, the dana 44 solid axle was not an option after 1979, therefore, by obtaining one of these axles, there is going to be extensive changes made to the axle to be bolt in like the d60.

 

Not necessarily true. A solid d44 is a very easy swap under a 80-96 f150 simply because the upper coil bucket can be retained and used as a locator for the coils to help center the axle where.it needs to be. To convert an existing coils sprung truck to leafs takes a bit more fabrication to get the front perches right. Once the coil sprung sas conversion is done, making a d60 fit is no sweat and a 10.25 is a direct bolt in.

It all depends on what suspension style you want and what your fabrication skills are like.

 

If you cant find an 86 to 92 dana 60, then you might find it difficult to find a 78/9 dana 44. Thats simple. Look at the spread of the years that any axle was in production, and consider the availability for each.

Can a Dana 44 survive? Sure as heak it will. I have not even mentioned tire size. Really I dont care. If a dana 44 can survive, why would the dane 60 not survive even longer?
If dollars were equal, everyone would install 1 ton gear right? That is a question I already have the answer to.
That being said, I asked any one to consider the cost of the SAS using a dana 44 VS the Dana 60 and rear sterling 10.25, or 1 ton gear.
Matter of fact, smaller tires make this swap an even better deal.
Its a better deal because you can find a 1 ton truck with 4.10 gears instead of the cheezy 3.50 gears found in the half ton stuff. Run a 35 inch tire with 3.50's and then run it with a 4.10 and tell me which works better.

So take a guy with a 3.50 ratio and half ton stuff and add up the costs associated with a lift to clear 35's, the time involved to install said lift, a gear swap, the junk for the SAS, and the cost of a solid axle dana 44.

Now consider the cost of buying a donor truck (F350) and throwing the drivetrain under it. Except for the cost of the front spring hangers which happens to be a few hundred bucks only, the rest of the stuff can come from the same donor truck, so investment is minimal.

Throw a figure out there. How much can you buy an F350 in your area? Im not talking a nice truck, Im talking about a truck that you would not mind taking apart. Remember this is a donor truck.
In my area, they are running for less than 1500 bucks.
Just hooked a cat up today for 1300 dollars, and the truck is running with a strong 460 and a good auto trans.
Once the guy takes the parts he needs, there are many parts left over to sell and minimize total costs.

Ive already done the math, and I already know. Take a few moments to compare, and you will see why I wont aver build anything without 1 ton gear.
It just does not make financial sense. Honest man. Not an argument,
you know I dont do that, but I can suggest that you look to see for yourself.

Anyone should consider this. In some cases, there will be an exception, but for the majority, this swap is right.

heak I just finsihed another Bronco today, and it will only ever see 35 inch tires. We could have put a dana 44 up front, but the owner already broke
the 8.8 twice with 33's. Why would we try to make that work?
For about the same money as a typical dana 44 SAS we fixed it so that the chances of carnage are completely minimal.

Peace of mind is priceless.

 

Jeez this thread exploded. I appreciate all the information and since I'll just stick with 35's it sounds like the D44 is the way to go. Thanks guys.

 

Ed is like a fountain of knowledge. I prefer not to argue with him, because he is all knowing. -_-

 

I vote tons. but what do i know, i pay fat old guys to fix my truck

 

Karl is balding too, don't forget that!