ok the body on my 79 bronco is just about toast. rust is EVERYWHERE! so i'm thinking of swaping the motor, tranny and transfer case out of it and stuff it in my 99 work truck ranger. i also was thinking of using the axles off my bronco too but dont want full length axles under the smaller truck. so my question is does any know any ballpark figures on getting a 9'' and a D44 narrowed to fit a ranger. cutting and welding axles and such is just a little too advanced for me and i just want to know what kind of money i mighty be getting into to pull this thing off!
Axles
Started by
bigbad79
, Oct 12 2004 03:48 PM
7 replies to this topic
#2
STLKIKN
-
- Members
-
- 103 posts
F-Series Maniac
- Location:Calgary Alberta
- Interests:EBs, EBs, Boobies... you know, all the important things in life!
Posted 12 October 2004 - 04:29 PM
You may want to look at buying a set of Early Bronco diffs.
You may find that the cost of buying and setting up a set of new axles may be cheaper.
You should be able to find some good info on these swaps at the ranger station....
Your other option would be to run the full size diffs, buy a second set of wheels and tires,and when you are using the truck on road, use a set of positive offset wheels. (+4 3/4" backspace)
You may find that the cost of buying and setting up a set of new axles may be cheaper.
You should be able to find some good info on these swaps at the ranger station....
Your other option would be to run the full size diffs, buy a second set of wheels and tires,and when you are using the truck on road, use a set of positive offset wheels. (+4 3/4" backspace)
#3
bigbad79
-
- Members
-
- 33 posts
It's Only Money, Right?
Posted 12 October 2004 - 05:44 PM
only problem with using others axles is the axles on my bronco right now already have tons of money in them (detroit lockers, warn hubs, new shafts). and i already have rims and tires that i want to run if i do the whole swap (15'' rim and 38.5'' SS's) i have been toying with the idea of leaving the axles full length but dont want the truck to look unproportioned or have the inside of the tire sit outside the fender. i understand using a different bacspaced rim will help but wont it mess with my turning radius?
#4
STLKIKN
-
- Members
-
- 103 posts
F-Series Maniac
- Location:Calgary Alberta
- Interests:EBs, EBs, Boobies... you know, all the important things in life!
Posted 12 October 2004 - 11:18 PM
A narrower track width should decrease your turning radius, provided you don't run into clearance issues. (ie rubbing on the radius arms)
Depending on what brand of axles you have just installed, you may not be able to narrow the shafts down to match a narrowed housing.
In order to fit a set of 38.5s under a Ranger, you're gonna have to lift it quite a bit, you may find that you need the extra track width for stability. Maybe look into cut out flares in an attempt to cover that extra width.
Depending on what brand of axles you have just installed, you may not be able to narrow the shafts down to match a narrowed housing.
In order to fit a set of 38.5s under a Ranger, you're gonna have to lift it quite a bit, you may find that you need the extra track width for stability. Maybe look into cut out flares in an attempt to cover that extra width.
#5
Broncoholics
-
- Members
-
- 361 posts
Broncoholics
- Location:Washington State
- Interests:4-Wheeling!
Posted 13 October 2004 - 08:50 AM
I agree, get some fender flairs and mud flaps to keep the cops happy. The stability will be awesome off road except to fit thru tight areas but you should be used to the it.
Some run hummer rims to keep it the same width but you might have rubbing problems after you center the axle under the truck with the adj. trac bar. You will also need an adj. drag link to center the steering.
The D44 out of the Bronco is only 6" wider than whats on your Ranger now. You can cut the axle tube back on the passenger side 6" where the tube meets the ball joint ears. The hardest part is rewelding it back on in the correct location/ angle it was before. I've heard of some pulling the axle tube out of the diff & cutting it 6" and press it back in. Again, you have to make sure the tube is in the correct location before you weld it in place. Then have a machine shop cut the passenger side axle shaft down and respline it to fit. This is what I do for my EB D44 with F250 shafts. Then get an adj. trac bar and adj. drag link to center it all.
Are you using the Radius arms off the Bronco? Here you have to make sure the arm mounts on the frame are welded in exactly the same location from the left side to the right so the truck drives straight.
My 2 cents...
Some run hummer rims to keep it the same width but you might have rubbing problems after you center the axle under the truck with the adj. trac bar. You will also need an adj. drag link to center the steering.
The D44 out of the Bronco is only 6" wider than whats on your Ranger now. You can cut the axle tube back on the passenger side 6" where the tube meets the ball joint ears. The hardest part is rewelding it back on in the correct location/ angle it was before. I've heard of some pulling the axle tube out of the diff & cutting it 6" and press it back in. Again, you have to make sure the tube is in the correct location before you weld it in place. Then have a machine shop cut the passenger side axle shaft down and respline it to fit. This is what I do for my EB D44 with F250 shafts. Then get an adj. trac bar and adj. drag link to center it all.
Are you using the Radius arms off the Bronco? Here you have to make sure the arm mounts on the frame are welded in exactly the same location from the left side to the right so the truck drives straight.
My 2 cents...
Wheel it like you stole it!
#6
bigbad79
-
- Members
-
- 33 posts
It's Only Money, Right?
Posted 13 October 2004 - 02:32 PM
i like the idea of the fender flares broncoholics, as far as the the radius arms and such, i was thinking of just using leafs in the front...seems like less headace? say 12'' leafs front and rear would give me ample clearance for a 38.5'' tire, even with the axles narrowed. the only pet pieve of mine as far as the axles go is that i dont want them to look "goofy" on the truck, but hearing that i'm only looking at an extra 6 inches makes me feel more comforable. so full length might seem to work and i could always fall back on cut-outs if clearance becomes and issue?? but what do you all think about leafs in the front?
#7
Broncoholics
-
- Members
-
- 361 posts
Broncoholics
- Location:Washington State
- Interests:4-Wheeling!
Posted 14 October 2004 - 07:55 AM
Leafs would be easy enough to do. Just cut the wedges off the D44 where the radius arms mounted and weld on leaf spring perches. Do you think you need 12" to clear 38's? I bet you will find mounting the leafs on top of the axle you will only need 6-8" to clear. Too much lift will look goofy but the wide axles will make up for it.
Should be a fun project. When are you starting?
I have a pair of 2 Ton axles locked up with 6:12 gears I was thinking of putting under by 68 Bronco. I just need to save up for some custom made bead lock rims that fit the special lug pattern. The tires will be spendy too...
Maybe I'll sell them. Any takers?
Should be a fun project. When are you starting?
I have a pair of 2 Ton axles locked up with 6:12 gears I was thinking of putting under by 68 Bronco. I just need to save up for some custom made bead lock rims that fit the special lug pattern. The tires will be spendy too...
Maybe I'll sell them. Any takers?
Wheel it like you stole it!
Reply to this topic
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
