questions from a newb

[tcruarceri]

I'm working my way into getting a explorer for next to nil. plans are a budget built 4x4 using many of my mustangs stock piled parts (plan on going aod and bw1356), both used and new, and enough lift for 33's or 35's to replace my 79 Bronco with 4 inches of lift and 35's. My 79 is rusting away around me and its just getting beyond the point of reasonable fixing, which leaves me with a 460, np205, HP d44 and ford nine inch and 6 tons of rust in my way.

I have no intention of doing a a SAS on this explorer (right now at least) but was wondering if there would be any benefit to running just a wider rear? How much wider are the full size axles, is the 9 inch just too wide to look right with the d35. i figure it will solve the problem of having two different size hubs if i do it the same time as upgrading the d35 to a hybrid set up.

Thanks for any and all advise.
NA

 

[4x4junkie]

I think the fullwidth 9 in back with a stock front would look goofy, yes.

I assume by "hybrid" you're speaking of D44 knuckles on the D35?
I'd run it stock for awhile and see if you even have problems with it (most hub/bearing issues can be avoided through small changes in the setup procedure). Throwing a set of the Warn #37780 Jeep locking hubs on it would make for a fairly sturdy setup. If you do choose to go the 44 knuckles at a later date, the Jeep hubs should be easy enough to sell here or on one of the many other RBV forums on the 'net.
Then all that would be left is to redrill the stock flanges & drums on your 8.8 for the 5x5.5" bolt pattern (there's JUST enough room to do this if you use thread-in studs. Standard press-ins can't be used however, the larger hole needed would cut too close to the flange's edge)

Maybe that pic isn't showing it well (it is a little dark), but that Bronco looks pretty clean to me... I think I see a bit of something at the bottom edge of the door maybe.

 

[Flip4ford]

I know somone on here (happyjack) that runs a full width 9" and stock front end width (dana 44 out shafts) and it doesn't look dorky at all. You can't tell unless he points it out to you.

They do make hundreds of patch panels and repair kits for the broncos BTW.

 

[davexlt]

f150 coil seats some shackles warn hubs put on some 33's trim the fenders a littlle new heavy duty shocks youll be surprized what you could drive through with that

 

[tcruarceri]

unfortunatley my bronco seems to have defied the laws of nature. Whereas the body looks passable, hell i could live with how it is for decades, a good portion of the under body cross bracing, almost the entire floorpan and bed, and atleast 2 sections of the frame have pretty bad rot. I was stil 4x4ing it, but its giving me some electrical problems so i havent latley. Im sure it would hold up if i took it easy, but id always be waiting for the frame to give. Im sure the d44 knuckles would be held off for quite sometime anyway, since all my cars are in some sort of construction or deconstruction phase.

Thanks for the advise, ill try and find some pictures of the mumbers rig with the mismatched set up, im just looking for a home for some of the parts if i dont sell the bko.
(ive considered fixing the frame and building a truggy with the drivetrain, the 460 is unbelievable (in both power and gas consumption)