Front Axel Swap Questions & Help

[Iceking007]

Hello after recent Recycle Visits I have come accross a fairly decent looking (not that I was looking) F150 Front axel with 4x4 and manual hubs. The Hubs are Crome with Red centre Locking dials; I believe to be std Ford hubs as they are Red and also only twist 90 deg where as Warn I believe twist 75deg. This is an older Ford F150 around early 90's I would estimate it has Ford Electronic Fuel injection on the Intake manifold it is a 6cyl SOHC I belive. They will let me uninstall it and take it home for $25.00 Canadian. Please let me know any info I need... will this fit into my 1991 Explorer 2dr. Sport 4X4? is this a good axel to use in future. What axel is it? Any other parts I will need to take when uninstalling it?? or just the axel? Also I am looking at a 5" lift with cut and turned beems and longer radius arm... will this axel work with that set up?? I will be lifting probably within a year or so and may do the axel then. Thank you!!:

 

[JDraper]

That's a different axle than the Explorer has. If it's a stock F-150 than it's a TTB like the Explorers, but it will not bolt up directly. Most likely it's a D44 front axle. Different width, different hubs, different wheel bolt pattern...almost no parts are interchangeable with your stock axle.

 

[91exploreron37]

It will fit after doing some modifications to it.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Dana44TTBconversion.htm
Or you can just swap the knuckles onto your X's D35
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2007/44knuckleswap.htm

 

[Iceking007]

Awsome thank you yeah I figured it wasn't the same was hoping it was a Dana44 or something should I plan on installing it or is the 35 built ford tough enough I know lots of people do axel swaps especially for 4 Wheeling... they even put a Ford 9 in or something else in the rear. Is it bennificial to do these two axel swaps on a ford explorer?? I could also get the rear one what is the rear one a Ford 9 inch?? Thank you!!

 

[91exploreron37]

umm I dont know too much about straight axle swaps but you should be able to get some results if you do a search for SAS.
But most people doing axle swaps are using the solid D44(not the TTB) and 9in rear for more flex than the ttb. But whether or not you want to do a SAS depends on what you plan to use your rig for, tire size etc... But do your research first as the D44 comes in a couple different configurations and there are several different ways of mounting it under your ex.

 

[Pollarican]

SAS is a great alternative to running the TTB Dana 35 front, however a worthwhile Dana 44 Solid swap is something that you should not consider attempting until you have done some serious research into possible setups - caster and pinion angles, as well as crossmember fabrication are a few subjects to do some research on. Not to mention, be ready to spend scores of hours of work on your rig, additionally footing the easily $2000 plus budget to buy the appropriate parts for the swap.

Simply put, I would stick with the TTB setup for the time being and learn to configure your stock suspension setup to work to your greatest advantage. A minor lift will teach you a bunch about the way the TTB functions, as well as be easier on your wallet.

 

[Iceking007]

Awsome thank you so much guys for the help.... I was looking at the axel cuz I'm under the assumption that the stock 35 is weak... and for $25 I could beaf it up to unbreakable that what my motive. I am planning on installing a professional 5" lift and hoping to sqeeze in 33" 10.5 or maybe 12.5 by 15" tires under there with no trimming and no BL but we'll see how it goes. Any thing else just add I check this every day lol... if this doesn't change I won't buy the axel and just wait till down the road when I do blow something up... also I am using stock hubs but won't buy Warns till mine go... or maybe if I have money just have the warns sitting on the shelf waiting and ready!

 

[91exploreron37]

Yea you should be able to clear 33x12.50 with a 5in lift. What lift are you planning to going with?

 

[Iceking007]

The Camburg 5" intro Offroad lift with cut beams Eibalch springs and bilsteinh Shocks and the whole nine... then on the rear I'm going Bilstein Shocks with Deaver 10 Spring pack with extra leaf for load and custom rear bumper I'll add something there some kind of tire/ Jerry can holder.

 

[4x4junkie]

Awsome thank you so much guys for the help.... I was looking at the axel cuz I'm under the assumption that the stock 35 is weak...

That assumption is not uncommon, it is mistaken though (possibly due to the bad rap D35s get in the rear of Jeeps).
Aside from the stock locking hubs, the D35 up front closely approaches the strength of a D44. This is mainly due to them having the same axleshaft u-joints, which is the primary failure point on either axle.
A set of Warn Jeep hubs (info) would eliminate the D35 hubs as a weak spot (if you're already upgrading from the crappy auto hubs to manuals, this would only be another $20 or so for the upgrade).

The 8.8" rear you have is a very sturdy axle as well. A 9" won't be stronger stock, however there are more aftermarket upgrades available to make it stronger (although a '90s F-150 will have the same 8.8" rear you have now, just wider).


My opinion, the only good reason for swapping out the axles would be if you want something wider. There are some suspension kits available that would allow bolting that F-150 D44 TTB axle into your Explorer (Autofab I know has such a kit, it's a bit pricey though).

(and yes, I did write that article linked above. I basically dove into that swap many years ago unknowing of the 35 myself. It all became apparent only after I had procured everything and started taking things apart I now have that D35 in my BII (with bigger tires even), and it's been holding up well)

Hope that helps.

 

[Iceking007]

YES 4X4 Junkie thank you... thats what I needed... no I have the stock ford lockers... will go warn when they brake (if) then I will leave things how they are... I won't even buy the axel and see what the future brings.... PS you mentioned the Jeep Hubs are they different/ better than the ones that Warn lists for the X?? thank you!