Project NUTZ, full size axles and a v8???

488TJ · 10-13-2009, 10:58 AM

sold my tj a month ago and am going to pick this 88 wrangler up this weekend for $500. frames sold, not a dent in the body, and a running 4.0 with a 5 speed.
got big plans for it and hopeing it doesnt take long... im starting with full sizes axles because as u can see in the pics there arent any.

now i have questions and would love everyones advice. obviously i want D44 or above. i see a lot of people useing 70s fords with the 9" or d60 in the rear and 44s in the front (are all D60s dual tired?) im also looking maybe into a chevy with the 14 bolt in the rear. ALL ADVICE WELCOME PLEASE

also for the motor and trans. im thinking a V8 vortek Chevy motor but concerned if i use Chevy motor and ford axles if it matters. also wondering ii people used ford v8s maybe a mustang motor or what not??

id really like peoples advice, maybe even a pic of ur rig and what u did for a swap thanks everyone!!

**bmgadg** · 10-14-2009, 11:24 AM

I'm in the middle of a full width axle swap, I'm putting a HP44 up front and an 8.8 in the rear. Got the D44 from a 76 F150, the 8.8 from a 90 F150. Both are ~65" WMS to WMS. The 78 and 79 HP44 that everyone talks about is from an F250, not an F150 or bronco, they have leaf perches already on them but they're also wider, I think ~67" IIRC. Stay away from 78 and up F150 or bronco, they have cast in radius arm wedges that can't be removed. The only exception is F150 super cab which has leafs. Here's where I researched my front end...

The Driver Side Differential Dana 44

If I had it to do over again, I would get one of the older HP44s, you're going to pay more for the 76 and 77 because of the disk brakes, but you're going to replace everything from the knuckle out anyway if you're doing a hi steer setup.

bvk · 10-14-2009, 11:46 AM

I'd do some research on the motor (and trans) swap, its been done many times before, and different combos can be easier/harder, but you should be able to make it work with those axles...

running d60 and HP44 here:

provinT13 · 10-14-2009, 12:02 PM

Is your tierod bent real bad or is it just me?

**LostJeeper** · 10-14-2009, 12:05 PM

Looks like you have some work to do ill have to crawl this one.

fyrdriver · 10-14-2009, 12:09 PM

I'm running 79 F150, yes 150, axles cut to factory width. Thats a D44HP and a 9" with a 5x5.5 bolt pattern. If you want to run an 8.8 rear you can get the super 88 kit for it and it will give you a 5.5 bolt pattern and discs all the way around. Alot of guys use waggy axles, there are a bunch of combos out there.
But to answer your question you have to figure out what size tires/lift you want to run. In other words a 14bolt while cheap is way overkill for 35's and your ground clearance will suffer. Tell us what your plans are and you can get some more qualified responses.

bvk · 10-14-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by provinT13

Is your tierod bent real bad or is it just me?

yeah its a good advertisement for high steer. Its even more bent now, high steer in on the list for 'soon'

488TJ · 10-14-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fyrdriver

I'm running 79 F150, yes 150, axles cut to factory width. Thats a D44HP and a 9" with a 5x5.5 bolt pattern. If you want to run an 8.8 rear you can get the super 88 kit for it and it will give you a 5.5 bolt pattern and discs all the way around. Alot of guys use waggy axles, there are a bunch of combos out there.
But to answer your question you have to figure out what size tires/lift you want to run. In other words a 14bolt while cheap is way overkill for 35's and your ground clearance will suffer. Tell us what your plans are and you can get some more qualified responses.

i would like to run 38s or 39.5s, havent decided a lift yet but it will be suspension only i hate body lifts!!

i found a 78 F150 on craigslist in my area with a ford 9" and d44 in the front, im assumeing high pinion, guy only wants $500 for the whole truck that runs and drive, he said he drives it atleast twice a week

whats this cast in radius arms that will be a problem??

started stripping her today after an eventful day yesterday getting her home. ran into a bit of tub rust which is no surprise just on the drivers and passengers floor, pics soon

488TJ · 10-14-2009, 08:42 PM

im also looking at a 79 f250, also on craigslist but the guy wont give me a call back!

was doin some research and now know why 70s f150s and broncos front ends dont work, thought they were leafs but i guess not.

bvk · 10-14-2009, 09:41 PM

wouldnt a 44 be pushing it with 38's and up?

navman · 10-14-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvk

wouldnt a 44 be pushing it with 38's and up?

Especially with a v8.

488TJ · 10-14-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvk

wouldnt a 44 be pushing it with 38's and up?

idk, i wanna do it right thats why im taking any and all advice, what do u think??

the only issue i could see with power of the v8 would be breaking u joints, i never had any issue with my d44 in my tj, i was only running 35s but was planning on putting 38s till i sold it

**autoboy454** · 10-14-2009, 11:27 PM

@ the OP, I saw this shell on Craigslist a week ago and considered giving the guy a call about it. Good luck to you!

carnuck · 10-14-2009, 11:58 PM

Too bad so far away. I have just the package deal for you! '76 Jeep pickup with J20 axles (D44 front and D60 rear full float) with AMC 360/T18A (31 spline) NP208 for $1,000 obo (but it's in Seattle)

**bmgadg** · 10-15-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 488TJ

whats this cast in radius arms that will be a problem??

They can't be removed, unless you're going to shorten the axle to stock width, then they will get cut off when you cut down the tubes. In other words if you want to run them full width you have to set up your front end with radius arms and coils kinda like a TJ.