Front and rear axle swap.

[Dre]

Talking about a first generation... Let's just say that I want to swap front with a straight axle and replace the rear 8.8 with the axle from the same truck so I don't have to cut anything (both axles coming from the same donor). What would I use then? what truck? what set-up?

 

[Premier]

Well, you could use a D44 and 9" from an EB.. or a D44 and 9" from an earlier F150. Thats your question right?

 

[appx91]

Or a old f-250 or 350 or new f-250 or 350 It all really depends on what you are building it to do. Heavy duty crawling or dd and trail rig?

 

[glfredrick]

Other than changing out the front axle for something like a Dana 44, you are likely better off with what you already have (unless huge tires are in the plans).

All the Jeep dudes are begging to get their hands on our 8.8's becasue it is a great axle that can handle up to 37's in most wheeling situations. The front TTB is another story - and I can understand why someone would want to swap that out - but make sure that you go back at least as strong, which would have to be a Dana 44. Early Bronco's are almost a direct swap in due to axle width, but would require a lot of braket and spring mount changes. It's probably easier to just re-drill the hub in the new front axle for your desired bolt pattern.

Almost everything else out there is not as heavy duty as what you already have - unless you go to full width axles out of a 3/4 ton truck (as already suggested).

 

[Dre]

F150 or F250 would work then... anyone knows what the difference in width is between them axles from a pick-up and the Explorer ones?

I'm not really willing to put anything bigger than 33" or at the most 35" tires.


I know that 8.8 is strong - I just want to avoid modifications to the front axle (cutting). I would not want to install leaf springs in the front... coil springs would be perfect. Well, but that's along way ahead of me.

 

[Premier]

I think that the fullsize axles are 6-7" wider than the Explorers. Search for MSUPERTEK. He's running full width.

 

[Dre]

and that's what I was thinking about... running full width... but that might be a little too wide for some trails.

 

[FROADER]

If you're only runny 33's and maybe 35's why not just get a simple lift and keep the TTB and 8.8? I'm just thinking that it will be a lot of work just to fit 33's.

 

[glfredrick]

If you're only runny 33's and maybe 35's why not just get a simple lift and keep the TTB and 8.8? I'm just thinking that it will be a lot of work just to fit 33's.

That's exactly what I thought when I posted what I said...

My 33's on the TTB runs with any of the "big dogs" in our local club. In fact, they often stand back shaking their heads when I clear stuff they can't do.

Let's talk about how you have your TTB set up before we get all involved with straight axles and tires so huge that you can't run the truck - that is, unless you have wheelbarrows full of money to burn...

There are lots of things you can do to increase performance to the point where your Ex will do whatever you need it to do without making the change over. I understand the "bragging rights" thing - but at what cost? Anyone could look good off-roading in a monster truck - no obstacle would really be a challenge anymore - but conquering those same obstacles in a rig that everyone says shouldn't is more satisfying.