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full width axle swap

10K views 39 replies 6 participants last post by  yjtyler 
#1 ·
its time for the next upgrade! i am in the process of buying parts and building the axles for the swap. the axles im building are a 79 f250 dana 44 with 5 lug outers and a 79 9 inch. i am at a bit of a block when it comes to the steering. my plan is to buy a reid knuckle for the passenger side but im not sure what arm to run?? i have never dealt with high steer before, one concern i have is do i need an offset arm? i plan on running 15 inch steel wheels with 3.75 bs. also what is a good arm to run? thanks in advance!
 
#30 ·
im in the slow stage of this swap, waiting to get my donor axle out from under the truck. we did get the rockwells for the one truck, waiting on the other set tho. these things are heavy! just updating to everyone that the swap is still in progress, just slow.
 

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#31 ·
back to the knuckles situation. i stole this picture off the web but it shows my point. the knuckle on the left, see how low the tierod mount is on the knuckle. now compare that to the f250 knuckle on the right. this arm is higher than the other. now with my situation, my reid knuckle follows after the knuckle on the right with the height of the arm. i plan on running the f150 knuckle on the drivers side, which in the picture is the left hand knuckle. other than looking funny from the tierod being different heights, will this cause anything??
 

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#32 ·
Not much of an update. Been spending a lot of money and time on the mudtruck. But did replace the lower steering column bearing and steering shaft today, wow what a difference!!! To anyone who has loose steering, check the lower bearing and steering shaft ujoints. Mine were completely toast so I finally fixed them. Best $180 I have spent in a while for drivability.
 
#33 ·
finally got my front axle. it needs cleaned up a little. i wont start working on this till about the end of next month :thumbdown: have to get the 2 other trucks done first but they MUST be done by around the middle of next month. will keep this updated once things start to get rollin.
 

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#34 ·
Small update, im gonna have to get my a** in gear and start working on this. Got my rear axle done and ready to go in to set the perches. Installed the Yukon cromolly shafts, New wheel cylinders and drums. Brought the front axle in and started stripping it. Prob Will finish stripping it tomorrow. Reason I'm getting to it now is my rear end is on its way out. The pinion bearings went out in it and wore the gears funny. had it apart tonight and tried resetting the gears but they are too far gone... Will keep this updated as I go!
 
#35 ·
well its been a while since i posted last. have been busy with the mud toys but finally got around to working on the jeep. i got the rear axle in and set but dont have anything welded yet, i had to move the jeep backwards to start on the front and the only tires i had to bolt on was a set of 42s :D so on they went and holy crap they fit!!! have to do some work on the front still before it is ready to go in. this thing is a little taller that i though it was going to be!!! im hoping it will settle some. i also moved the rear axle back some so now i have to get the rear shaft lengthened..
1- old rear axle out
2- new rear axle in
3- wheels i am using, it will be a little wide
4- roller tires on :rolleyes:
5- rear shot of the 42s
6- pulling the front axle
7- front axle out waiting on the new one
 

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#36 ·
got the front axle installed. installed front calipers and hooked brake lines up. got my dom tubing for steering, just have to get the gas bottle filled on the welder before i can finish the links. the rear sits about 1 to 1 1/2 inches higher than the front but not much i can do. sent my rear driveshaft out to get lengthened. switched my tires over to the aluminum wheels. its coming along. oh and also picked up a set of 35x12.5x15 super swamper ltb on mickey tompson wheels for $500 they are practically new, like 300 miles on them:D
1- front axle
2,3- front installed
4- has she sits now
5- with super swamper on back
6- new tires
 

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#37 ·
No bead locks at this time around? Wide aluminum rims and low tire pressure will result in beads piping off there rim.
Me I would sell of what you have for rims and get some good skinny steel rims and do some weld on locks.

Jason.
 
#39 ·
well took her out of the garage for the first time last night. this thing is like a completely different animal now!! its amazing what lockers do :thumbsup: i flexed it out to see where to weld my shocks at. the rear is now done till i get my steel for my custom skidplate and traction bar from ruff stuff. and i have to wait of my shock tabs from ruffstuff too for the front. the front is crazy flexy, so much that it actually maxed out my brake lines and will max out my shocks too!! all my Toyota buddys are jealous because there solid axle swap yotas dont flex half as good :laugh:
 

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#40 ·
Haven't updated in a while. Got my custom heavy duty skid plate built and am installing my ruffstuff traction bar now. Welded the shock tabs on also. I will have more pictures shortly. If I were to do it over again, I would buy a clocking ring for the t case and tried to make it flatter. The skid hangs down 5 inches below the frame at the lowest point.. a little lower than I wanted, but i should be able to drag it over anything without worries!
 
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