tiessen
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- February 16, 1999
- Messages
- 406
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Vancouver, BC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '92 XLT
OK here is my idea. Stricken with envy of Rick's rig I'm going to swap a solid axle up front. The Superlift just doesn't cut it. BTW, it will be for sale soon and they work great!
Dana 44 out of full size '79 Bronco. Disk brakes, larger axles and u-joints...shorten the R side housing and axle to match the dimensions of an EB (in case I ever need to replace parts). Retain the stock radius arms with C-clamps and "wrist" the R side radius arm (like all the EB boys do to get massive articulation) with custom brackets on frame. The spring perches on the axle (EB dimensions) and Explorer coil buckets apparently line up, no problem, buy some 4" extra soft coils. Cross over steering custom fabbed, maybe flipped on top. Custom track bar similar to Rick's or other. Front end done...
Rear end...to get 5.5" bolt pattern. Steal c-clip axles out of a fullsize Ford and cut to length. Steal brakes off a fullsize Ford and bolt onto Explorer 8.8".
I see this set up as a 'cost effective' way of doing the sway. The parts would be around $700 plus new hubs, maybe new rotors, pads, and calipers. Around $200-300 to have the axles (3) cut to length (the best way is to cut in the middle, take out a length, and reweld leaving the original splines). The custom work would be the radius arm mounts, the wristed radius arm, the track bar, and steering. I have been quoted less than $1000 labor to do everything (though I would do the rear end install myself). Of course I would regear at the same time to 4.56 (currently running 3.73).
I would like to hear your comments. I am gathering info at this time, looking to do the swap in 6-8 weeks and maybe have the rig down to Truckhaven in Jan!
Cheers
Dale
Dana 44 out of full size '79 Bronco. Disk brakes, larger axles and u-joints...shorten the R side housing and axle to match the dimensions of an EB (in case I ever need to replace parts). Retain the stock radius arms with C-clamps and "wrist" the R side radius arm (like all the EB boys do to get massive articulation) with custom brackets on frame. The spring perches on the axle (EB dimensions) and Explorer coil buckets apparently line up, no problem, buy some 4" extra soft coils. Cross over steering custom fabbed, maybe flipped on top. Custom track bar similar to Rick's or other. Front end done...
Rear end...to get 5.5" bolt pattern. Steal c-clip axles out of a fullsize Ford and cut to length. Steal brakes off a fullsize Ford and bolt onto Explorer 8.8".
I see this set up as a 'cost effective' way of doing the sway. The parts would be around $700 plus new hubs, maybe new rotors, pads, and calipers. Around $200-300 to have the axles (3) cut to length (the best way is to cut in the middle, take out a length, and reweld leaving the original splines). The custom work would be the radius arm mounts, the wristed radius arm, the track bar, and steering. I have been quoted less than $1000 labor to do everything (though I would do the rear end install myself). Of course I would regear at the same time to 4.56 (currently running 3.73).
I would like to hear your comments. I am gathering info at this time, looking to do the swap in 6-8 weeks and maybe have the rig down to Truckhaven in Jan!
Cheers
Dale