MattMans 351/d44/9" swap

[Mattmancustoms]

Well I'll start by saying this is really my first post here, I have been a member but have not posted too much. About 2 months back I bought a 1992 4dr explorer xlt. The body is in decent shape, but the rockers are shot. The 4.0L ran strong but the a4ld slipped like hell. So about a month ago my buddys dad tells me I can have his 79 f-150 4x4. It has a 351w/np435/np205 for drivetrain and it has a d44 front with a d60 rear. I decided I would not mess with the d60 seeing how it is 8-lug and I dont have the money to convert it over to 5-lug.

Present: Right now it sits w/o engine, tranny, transfer case, driveshafts, gutted interior and that is about it. Next weekend we are going to my buddys dads house to tear the body off the f-150 and bring the whole frame upto our shop.

Thats it for now, I thought I would let everybody know what I am doing. I will make decent progress until parts start selling then I will start to pick it up again.

http://www.msnusers.com/DKJune2005/shoebox.msnw?Page=1

 

[Robb]

I can have his 79 f-150 4x4. It has a 351w/np435/np205 for drivetrain and it has a d44 front with a d60 rear. I decided I would not mess with the d60 seeing how it is 8-lug and I dont have the money to convert it over to 5-lug.

This truck had a 5-lug 44 and a 8-lug 60?

 

[daddy_ja]

This truck had a 5-lug 44 and a 8-lug 60?

thats what i was wondering??

 

[bmxking5]

Wow, that's wierd. Anyways, can't wait to see how this thing will turn out. What size tires do you plan to run with thise set up? Also, I assume that you are keeping both of the axles full width? Good luck!

 

[Mattmancustoms]

Yeah, my buddys grandpa used to do truck pulls so he put a 3/4 ton rear end in it. Then after all that he decides he wants to use it as a tow rig so he decided to put 4.11 gears in the rear and leave the fronts at 3.73.

I am keeping both axles full width and I am using the radius arms and coil buckets from the f-150. I plan to get wildhorses 5.5 coils and hopefully be able to use the stock trac bar. I know I have read a few people have used it so hopfully it'll turn out. BTW, the rear end I am getting from a local j-yard. Both axles will recieve 5.13 gears while the rear recieves a spool. If I have the money in time I'd like to get an OX-locker for the front. In case I didnt mention it, I plan to run 37x13x15 SS Boggers.

I appreciate any and all comments or suggestions, If anybody has any tips or tricks that they have found to work or save me time that'd be awesome.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Full-width is nice. Can't wait to see progress! good luck on the build.

-Drew

 

[Mattmancustoms]

Thanks for all the comments guys, shes turning out to be a real biotch with all the rust she has. Found out after removing all the interior that this baby has been rolled before. The roof, fenders, metal inner fenders have all been replaced. Today we are finalizing the pins on the removable doors. Got one side done and we are getting ready to start on the other side.

 

[Mattmancustoms]

Well guys, just got back from my buddys dads house where we were able to get the engine/tranny/t-case and the D44 front. Now all I have to get is the rear ford 9". I am gonna try and get the body all finished up by next week so I can focus more time on the drivetrain.

Thanks,
matt

 

[1991XLT]

Why did you pound the heck outta the windsheild?