Solid Axle Swap
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CT
Solid Axle Swap
I'm planning on doing a D44 solid axle swap on to my '93 F150. I've been thinking about some things today that i would like to get all of your opinions on. I will be using the stock radius arms that came with the D44 axle off a 79 bronco. I was wondering if it was possible to make the radius arms longer by threading on a threaded sleeve to the end of the radius arm where it would normally go through the radius arm bracket and thread in some rod in to the sleeve to make it a bit longer. The reason for this is alignment purpose, i would like to have at least one of the bolt holes for the radius arm bracket end up intersecting one of the transmission crossmember bolt holes. I assume the strength will not change all that much, and it will increase the length for that much more articulation, does this sound at all reasonable? thanks
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 766
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From: Lakeville USA
Solid Axle Swap
im planning on doing the same swap as you. what alignment issues are you talking about? is caster angle as important on a solid than on a TTB? I have 6 inches of lift. I was just going to use 76-77 bronco radius arm brackets with the stock arms myself.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 227
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From: Kent, WA
Solid Axle Swap
It's a smart swap to get rid of that ttb if you do any off-roading at all, or even have a lift for that matter. Keep in mind one thing when doing this swap. The 78-79 frame is narrower than your truck frame. That being said, you will have to either spread the radius arms apart, or make a new bracket to hold the radius arms. For that reason, I believe that your plan of increasing the length of the radius arm will be too weak. There will be a lot of pressure on those. If you do a lot of off-roading, and want more articulation from your (Solid axle) front end consider hinging it. If you get long enough shocks, you will get enough articuation to drive up onto a truck, with your other 3 tires on the ground.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 632
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From: State College, Tunkhannoc
Solid Axle Swap
im gettin ready to do the swap myself, i was going to use the radius arms from the 79, and use the brackets from my 4 inch superlift kit, that way the radius arms are kept in better geometry. hows that sound for an idea?
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CT
Solid Axle Swap
the radius arm brackets from your 4" kit may be a bit excessive, try to find drop brackets for a '79. The bronco i got the axle from, also had the brackets so i was in luck.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
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From: Auburn,Al
Solid Axle Swap
i owuldnt waste money on the SAS kits, just use the solid axle radius arms, they are pretty long, if you want alot of articulation, make the passenger side a wristed arm. Just a little bit of fabbing will save you a whole lot of money over the stupid fabtech kit
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CT
Solid Axle Swap
I wouldn't waste my money on the kit either, the swap is prtty much bolt on the way it is. I still have to see if the coils i have on my 6" lift will work on the D44 solid, if not i'll have to see if i can swap the coil bucket off the TTB to the solid.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CT
Solid Axle Swap
Reading some more posts about the SAS i remember someone saying that drop radius arm brackets from a 66-77 bronco will be needed, i have brackets from a 79, why wouldn't they fit? Also, where can i get drop brackets for a 66-77, if i really even need them.