Need some info on an axel swap

[ruzztec]

I am going to custom make an 18inch lift for my 1991 and I need to do an axel swap yet I dont know where to find a danna 44 8.8 Im not sure but I belive that that is the correct axel for the 1st gens. Im not sure what suv or truck it came from was it a bronco? What year? Also this does not change my bolt pattern does it?

 

[unclemeat]

Rear axle is a Ford 8.8. Wheel bolt pattern 5 on 4 1/2". Dana 44 I believe is 5 on 5 1/2". You may want to pick up the July issue of 4-wheel and offroad, they have a tech section on 4x4 axles.

Beware a ford 8.8 axle is not recommended for tires much larger than 35s and big horsepower.

Broncos came with 8.8 and 9-inch rears. Heres a little advice, with that much lift, consider a full width 9-inch rear axle. I don't know what tires you are going to use with an 18-inch lift, but the front axle is going to be a problem. You may need to do more research and engineering on your project.

 

[bmxking5]

There is no way that you could run an 8.8 and dana 44 on your truck without it looking stupid. The reason I say this is because 18" of lift is HUGE. Those axles are not at all strong enough to support the weight of 4_" tires.

 

[unclemeat]

Lift is not as important as tire size and powerplant. Axles should be designed to accomidate tires and engine. Lift is only important to clear the tires, and less lift means lower center of gravity and a better handling, go more places truck. Unless it is just for show truck.

 

[ruzztec]

not for off road just daily driver and show. How would a SUV get much heavier going higher. Just about 200 lbs of added metal I dont know what rims would llok good on a lift that big. Tires I want to be big, super swampers if able

 

[WannaBeRobb]

Rotational weight is your biggest problem here. This is the whole reason why axles max out at a particular tire size.

Oh, and 18" of lift is just stupid........................onroad, show, offroad, whatever....................that much lift is just stupid (jmho of course). Any tire size that would begin to look half-decent with that much lift, would eat a D44/F8.8/F9.

 

[93liftedXLT]

talk to cheif....

 

[Creager]

talk to cheif....

hahayeah

 

[hiridin]

ya cheif has like 15" of lift with 37" swampers. i think it looks damn good. so say u go with 16" of lift with 38" tires and widen your truck using full width axles or something to compensate for all the lift. then it kind of balances itself out. but going that tall and not really widening it could be kind of dangerous. i went with 10" to 11" of lift (not including tires) and went about 12" wider up front (using little back spacing, wider wheels and wider tires and a couple more inches from the dana 30. and then atleast 10" wider out back. and i bought some spacers for the back to widen it even more so instead of being 2" wider up front it'll be 2" wider out back. the wider it is the more stable it becomes. so if u want u can go with more lift.

 

[ruzztec]

Alright I talk to a guy and he says you cant block that heigh cuz the front is the center of pivot for the suv I twould flip over 30 mphs So go bigger on the leafs but I dont know where to get the axel I was gonna ask around but noonw knows. I know its a dana 44 with 8.8 inch gears But where can I get such and axel. Where did ford put all thoes

 

[j602]

Dana 44 and Ford 8.8 are 2 separate axles! And you're going to need bigger than both of them to run upwards of 38" tires. Look at junkyards, that's where pretty much everyone finds axles for their swaps. If you want leafs, a Jeep Wagoneer would probably be your best bet.

 

[bmxking5]

If you want BIG tires and leaf springs, your best bet would be axles from a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I'd go with a dana 60 front. JMO

 

[j602]

Honestly, all he needs is a Dana 30. He said himself it's just gonna be a daily driver/show truck. He won't even use the 4x4. So really, he could run 40's on a Dana 30 and 8.8 and as long as he didn't hammer down on the street, he'd be fine.

 

[Creager]

dana 44 is like 8.75 ring gear i think

Just get the 4" trail master lift, a 3" Body lift, Cut the fenders and run 38's

it would look straight and you would spend a lot less money


or do what BMX said and get the axles off a f-350

 

[ruzztec]

Lol I gotta go 18 inches no less cuz some people said it couldn't be done. It will be a daily driver and show truck but I live in KY so I need the 4x4 for ice and such plus I will more than lieky hammer down on it. I love the speed. The only thing that really hangs me is the ratio that the gears turn. Does the front not match the back so that the front doesn't push or pull aginst the other axel. For instance if the back has smaller gears its going to turn faster a push more than the front. I like the idea about getting an axel from and f-350 or simialr. Witch ones had solide axels that match my ratio?

 

[ruzztec]

Another thing I could live with switch both axels rather not but it may have to be done but will other makes of axel liek chevy ,jeep,ect mathc my transfercase? PS The bi tires are needed for some of the lift and to balance the look

 

[j602]

The front and rear axles MUST have the same ratios in order for the 4x4 to work. They both have to turn at the same rate or else your drivetrain is going to have a seizure. Chances are you won't get axles that have matching ratios, unless you pull 2 axle from the same truck. Even in that case, the gearing in the axles you pull won't be anywhere NEAR low enough to turn 38+ tires. You'll roast your tranny in no time. Jeep axles work but you only would want the front axle. The rears are weaker than Explorer axles. The front axles on most Jeeps are D30 and are nowhere near strong enough to run 38+ tires. You need a D44 front at least, and probably a 9" rear. Regear them to at least 4.88. That's just what has to be done to do an axle swap(s). You really need to do some more research before jumping into this.

 

[gavin]

it might be a good idea to have a good understanding of everything before you try to get into something like this... otherwise, you'll be halfway through the project, get stumped on something, and have to wait for a response.
Have a better understanding of EVERYTHING, and it won't be as bad... and I'm sorry, and this is only my honest opinion, but just reading this thread, you really don't know a whole lot about axles and drivetrain in general.
Not a good idea to start on an 18" lift if you don't understand the drivetrain.

 

[ruzztec]

well the research what im doing now. Trying to find what works. I pointed out in a question formt that the ratio needs to be the same and gave an example and now am being told the same information. Were could i learn more about the axels adn drive train?

 

[j602]

By using the search feature on sites like this and many others (pirate4x4.com).