FAKRWEE Navajo 44 swap

[Kris Guilbeaux]

It would cost more to do the Fabritech kit then to have a fab shop do the work for you. I know cause I considered this For while and I called today about having my dana44 installed for me in a shop in Houston Tx. The shop in Houston sounds like a better plan and cheaper too..

 

[PekingMan]

How, the price for everything WITH an DANA 44 rebuilt is between $3000-$4000 (Stage III). Thats cheaper than any custom solid axle conversion that requires fab work that people on this webpage have said they paid.

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Keep in mind this is a low pinion axle they will not make it with a high pinion dana 44. Cause I could pick up a low pinion dana 44 and for a lot less and have it installed for $1500.00 But if you dont might going with low pinion axle its fine. There are a few things you will have to buy that does not come with the Kit such as 5 on 5.5 rims and rear axle shafts.

 

[Randall]

also it uses brackets to mate your existing springs to the dana 44, instead of using bronco coils. The trackbar mount in the kit mounts to the engine crossmember, which might serve to limit axle travel, since the trackbar would be shorter. Also you would not be able to trim the engine crossmember in the event that you may need extra clearance for the pinion. Also, it does not incluse new wheels or tires, which most of us have included in the overall price of the swap, as well as changing the rear axle shafts and gear ratios. And like Kris said, it uses a low pinion EB axle, which is not desirable because of front driveline angles and clearance. Things that I also included in the swap that are definately not part of the kit are longer travel shock mounts, oxlocker front and powertrax noslip rear, wheels and tires, all new brakes and hubs for the front, new rear axle shafts, wildhorses EB 5.5" lift coils, and 7 degree c bushings, and I still didn't come out too far behind the cost of the 4000 fabritech kit price.

 

[PekingMan]

Damn, the fabtech really makes it seems like its a one stop kit. Thank god for this website!

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by PekingMan
Damn, the fabtech really makes it seems like its a one stop kit. Thank god for this website!

Just so other people reading this don't get confused....

Fabtech doesn't make a solid axle swap kit...

Fabritech does.

 

[FAKRWEE]

I also think when you get to the solid axle stage you have a good idea of what works for you and your driving style. Custom fab gives you the advantage of building something totally custom to you. That's why custom tailored suit's are so expensive vs off the rack. my suggestion to anyone going solid axle is to custom build it .

Went to the shop today. Every thing is mocked up, tacked on and tomorrow we start cycling the suspension to get some final measurements before they start building the parts. Steering gear box is mounted for the ram steering.

Here's a couple of pic's till tomorrow when we cycle the front.

This is my 37X12.50X17 BFG KM's mounted on 17' Eagle Alloy 589. next to a Pro-Comp X-Terrain 35X12.50X15

 

[FAKRWEE]

Side view.

 

[FAKRWEE]

On the Navajo.

 

[jimbo74]

drool...drool....drool..... [rick: we need drooling smilies ]

 

[FAKRWEE]

Radius arm mock up.

 

[FAKRWEE]

The radius arm mock up is just for measurements. The final product will be totally different and rad.

 

[FAKRWEE]

Another.

 

[FAKRWEE]

Steering Gear box.

 

[FAKRWEE]

Another. Hey Jim thanks for the drool.

 

[FAKRWEE]

Well tomorrow I'll have some better shots when we cycle the suspension. I have a feeling I'm going to have to remove all the front inner fender wheel covers to get max travel.

 

[expobronc]

I like how they used and improved on the range rover style to attach the radius arms to the axle

I also have a pool of drool building

 

[rpenner54]

Dang those wheels are bling bling!!! Gonna get some beadlocks?

 

[Paul B.]

Tom, the truck looks GREAT!!!!!!! You got me drooling now. Winter said it's going to be one bad A** truck when you get it all done. Now what are you going to do in the rear? You know you can't stop now.

 

[FAKRWEE]

No beadlocks for now. The wish list is too big and growing. I've had to go with what's more urgent and I've never popped a bead yet. Besides I'm not sure if they're legal or not and I want the navajo as a daily driver around town and to the beach. It's gonna be my woodie.

Today I decided instead of double shocking the front to control sway going with remote King shocks. They're adjustable, repairable and easier to fit in. Instead of a hoop design I'm thinking of something different. Maybe flat brackets that come off the top of the coil bucket. We'll see.

The steering is going to be a bear. With the axle all the way maxed up space is at a premium. The trackbar is pretty dialed in. Drag link, tie rod and ram piston will be tricky.

I'll know more next week. Here are some of the pictures I took today.