The best full size axel swap for b2??

[BabyBronco89]

What I want is full size axels under my b2 I've seen a few with full size axels and some lift and I love the look.

I'm up for anything I know there's going to be some cut and pasting

I also am looking to get 3-6 inches of lift..
I've heard of using early bronco axels,

But I wouldn't mind a SAS

And I want discs all the way around,

If you had the funds, how would you do yours??
I'm looking for ideas, as this project is about a yr out, but it never hurts to start the hunt early for parts

 

[Broncopower33]

78/79 Full Size Bronco, Dana 44 and a 9in Rear. Only way to go! EZ to install, forms on here have pictures

 

[BabyBronco89]

Thanks!! I will definitely look into it some more


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[country0001]

What size tire do you wanna run?

Is it for rock crawling, mud or mall?

There are a lot of things to figure out before you start throwing money at something.

How much money do you have is another huge question.

 

[BabyBronco89]

It would be built for the mud / off road trails
no rock crawling, but be able to cross the occasional down log, and be able to handle the michigan dunes, and then its everyday truck dutys pulling tow dolly, fishingboat, eventually a enclosed box trailer...
I would like 33s or 35s
And money really isn't that big of a issue
I started my own business this past summer, and I will have enough when the time comes to build it how I want it.
I really don't want to spend upwards of 1500 on suspension allthough I would like decent springs/ shocks,
axels will be junkyard finds or searching cl for vehicles being parted out.. Hoping no more then 500 bucks on those
What spings, leafs,shocks?
F250 shock towers ect?
I'd like a nice set of lockers I'm just curious about gear sets what would be the best behind the 4.0l and 5 speed trans for towing and power
running 33s or 35s
Does the 78-79 bronco axels have rear discs? Or is there a conversion available??
Not trying to go all alloy shafts or anything fancy just a nice tow rig that can handle business when it comes to mud and trails, and turn a few heads along the way.



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[4x4junkie]

'80-'86 full size Bronco or F-150 can get you the same D44 & 9", but in a TTB version if you want to go long-travel (would be great in the dunes). '87-'96 is also the same except has the 8.8" rear (avoid the 8.8s in some '83-'86 trucks unless you plan to do a full-carrier locker swap).

4.56 is ideal gearing for 33s, 4.88 for 35s (4.88-5.13 if you want a little more punch off the line or for crawling).

Rear discs are going to have to come through a conversion though, nothing (with a D44-compatible lug pattern anyway) that I know of came factory with discs.

 

[BabyBronco89]

so I found a set of matching 78-79 axles with 3.55 gears which Is what I have in my b2 right now,
The guy wants 300$ for both matching axles with rims n tires!!
I think I'm going to take the 45 min drive
Excited!!!

My stock suspension is past over do for all new shocks springs and seals
So I figured instead of replaceing the old stuff I would just buy new shocks n springs for the full size axels, I know I said I was looking to do this next spring/ summer, but now I'm thinking I might as well get her done before snow falls exspecially since my shocks are so far gone.

I will keep you guys posted!!! Any recommendations to threads would be mucho appreciated

 

[joenorthcarolina]

so I found a set of matching 78-79 axles with 3.55 gears which Is what I have in my b2 right now,

You actually have 3.45 gears unless you've already done a 8.8 rear end swap.
There isn't a 3.55 for the 7.5" axle.
Just so you know, I had a Drag Race Mustang with a 7.5" axle and it held up very well with 11" sticky drag race tires and 400hp off the bottle. They are stronger than people give them credit for. If you break a axle its way cheaper to buy a replacement than do all that other stuff your talking about.
Disc break conversion is easy too. I got my rear disc for $90. Here is how you do it.

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-submissions/5069-how-rear-disc-brake-conversion-stock-ranger-rear-end.html

 

[PetesPonies]

I've run a few Mustangs and Capris down the track on 7.5s. But I didn't drop the hammer at 4K on launch either. You wouldn't have a 3.08 set laying around for a 7.5 would you??

 

[BabyBronco89]

Yeah your right 3.45 , so I will have a lil more gear in the new axles,
Don't get me wrong I've never had a problem with my 7.5 rear or any of them, except for one in my buddy's ranger but that one was beat to hell,

I'm really looking to increase stability with the wider wheelbase, just that extra width will make her a lot less scary taking turns.
Also my stock axles are rusted to crap, if I descaled them and blasted them I don't think there would be anything left





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[BabyBronco89]

Is there a similar mod for rear discs on the 78-79 9inch rear??

Also I'm looking into my steering linkage too, I thought I remember reading somewhere that some jeep linkage works great you just have to turn her backwards,
I got till the end of October to get all the parts I need and get them installed waiting any longer then that means I will probably be working out side in my snow suit..


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[joenorthcarolina]

Yeah your right 3.45 , so I will have a lil more gear in the new axles,
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If your truck is 4x4 there could be problems with the gears syncing while 4 wheeling. In other words, your supposed to run the same gear on front and back. If you don't you could snap/break the front wheel drive.

If your going with the 8.8 your next option would be 3.73 gears/decreased gas mileage on highway.

 

[joenorthcarolina]

I've run a few Mustangs and Capris down the track on 7.5s. But I didn't drop the hammer at 4K on launch either. You wouldn't have a 3.08 set laying around for a 7.5 would you??

No, sorry.

 

[BabyBronco89]

Well I picked up the matching axle set this evening

I have a 78 d44 high pinion front axle with 3.55s
With steering linkage and the original front driveshaft
And the matching 9ich rear
Unfortunately no radius arms or drop brackets,

Does anybody know a good place to buy them new?? Just looking for the original arms, and drop brackets 78-79

Also came with matching set of steel rims
And 4 tires 2 are completely shot I might be able to salvage the other 2 tires for spares

So I want the required 6inches of lift I need to get proper flex with the Dana 44 and 9 inch

What coils?, coil buckets? Shock towers, shocks? And rear leafs and shackles should I be looking for??

I want nice flex but still a nice stiff highway Ride

Now that I have the axles I'm just a few parts away from gettin her done!!

Going to start going through the axles Tom, and see what all I need to replace

Can't wait to get these bad boys installed


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[BabyBronco89]

Ok so late night thinking here,

What I need is.... Correct me if I'm wrong

78-79 f250 shock tower mounts
78-79 coil bucket brackets
Or should I stick to the original brackets on the b2? If so what should my coil options and shock options be?
78-79 radius arms... Is there any difference between the two?
My axle is a 78

And the 78-79 drop brackets
Where can I get these new?
Also I will need 7deg radius arm bushings correct

And what is the best route to go with extended brake flex lines?
Is a master cylinder upgrade necessary to makintain safe brakes?

Okay enough rambling for tonight!!

Ill leave it up to you gurus to think for me lol




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[country0001]

If money isn't an problem, I'd go with Duff stuff.

 

[BabyBronco89]

Don't get me wrong I like duffys stuff, it's all built very well, but machining and fabbing things is half of the fun, besides I have an entire garage of nice dimensional steel at my dads, and
I enjoy spending time rather then money any day,

The question is can I buy these brackets and mounts new from somewhere like rockauto or else where's cheap online,

Also looking for the best steering and drag link for the d44 I wish I could Find the threads I was reading a few yrs back,
I swear I read something about a dodge or jeep steering link being flipped upside down and working great with our high steer and minimal bump, any pointers would be great




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[BabyBronco89]

So I've settled on the f250 shock mounts and 78-79 coil buckets
Now I'm trying to figure out what shocks I need
I want a 6 inches of lift compared to a stock B2
What shocks do I get???
What springs??
Moroe has there shocktober rebate event going till the 31st

They have a pretty cool iPhone app for finding shocks

But what shocks and springs do I need
with a 86 4.0b2 and 78 d44
With 78-79 coil buckets and f250 shock mounts
And for the rear, what are my leaf options and shock options for the 9inch
Longer shackles? Lift blocks? Lift springs?


It's hard enough finding a 1-2" lift shock when I say 6" of lift with 79 bronco axles I get at the part store
Without mocking everything up, I know someone can get me some measurements
Compressed length
Extended length
Travel
Part numbers would be better

 

[BabyBronco89]

Okay so I've been doing a lil research and it looks like one option is to use the skyjacker 6" lift springs, but I have one fear with that,
I'm thinking they might be too soft for my application,
I do a lot of heavy towing , big trailers, tow dolly, enclosed trailer ect, I'm wondering if I go with the skyjacker 6" lift leaf spring if I would have a lot of reAr sag due to hitch weight..

I was talking to a guy on the phone I met off CL and I asked him his suggestions and he said he had a set of new dodge 3/4 leaf springs that looked like they had more arc and lift then the chevy 64" springs,

Can anyone verify this??


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[BabyBronco89]

Okay I found a set of 4" super lift coils off Craigslist for 95$
Another guy on Craigslist has my radius arms and drop brackets for 125$
And I bought the axles front and back for 300$

So far I have 520$ into the full size axle swap and that's not including
Shocks or rear leafs and shackles, or my shock mounts.../ coil buckets
Hopefully I can keep it under 700-800$ and then I need a nice set of tires

Now it's just the little stuff,
Comments and suggestions as always are appreciated