Full width daily driver

i thought i had pics on trs somewere but i guess not.
started like this

first day wheeling legally at Tuttle Creek ORV


then the poo hit the fan and i was addicted so shortly there after

i got skyjacker 2inch coils, a set of bfg's on cragar 8s and added a leaf to the pack. i wheeled the piss out of it set up like this for almost 2 years. never broke a drivetrain component. i did however make an auto hub sing an awful tune. i added a lock-rock up front and Warn hubs somewere in that time.
but of coarse nuthing is good enough. so i set my mind on a n eb d-44 swap and then fell into a HP d-44 so i figured id bite.

the swap

wheels and tires where sold b4 i got started lol.


front end removed


mocking up axle. wich really wasnt needed its along story but with some reaserch on the web reading what others have found there is a hole in the fame on both sides that can be used to place the radius arm brackets i moved my axle forward inch& 1/2 though


this was actually the second radius arm mount i made. the first one would have failed. its made from 3/8 plate.


the first thing i realised was that the trans cross member needed modified. so a piece of c-channel was perfect. i would like to make a whole new cross member but this one is working well for now and im really busy. you can see also here the other side radius arm mount. they're square on the bottom so i can add a cross member later.





here is my trac bar mount. also a long story. also my second design. i should have done more research here. but im pretty sure this will work fine if didnt have high steer. the main points here are: drilled the steering box bolts and re-tapped for1/2 bolts instead of 7/16 and also bolted to the engi e cross member. anyone think this wont hold? if so i think im wheelin to hard lol. first pic is just to show off my use of the torch.


radius arm cross member i said i would add and did. should be able to see the gussets if you look. its 1x2 heavy wall square tubing. i jack the truck up by this lol.


the steering. let me just give an applause to Harsh Terrain. i got my knuckles spindles caliper brakets high steer arms and links from them. these guys know their shiznit. awesome to work with. ok now im done kissin ass. so its chavy knuckles machined for highsteer arms. chevy spindles caliper brackets and calipers. ford rotors and wheel bearings. i have chevy lockouts on it but i still have ford stub shafts its not right but it works. the ford shafts are slightly shorter. and silicone is not rust resistant.

i have had it out wheelin and will post pics later. got stuff to do.

Wow man, you do nice work! That axle +steering looks tight! We need a picture of the whole truck in action! What size rubber you running?

Dishtowel said:

Wow man, you do nice work! That axle +steering looks tight! We need a picture of the whole truck in action! What size rubber you running?

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thanks. they are 35x13.5-15s on cragar soft 8s










i learned my lesson about wheeling alone b4 so i went with a friend



no mud pics cuzz i dont like nasty stuff lol


and the leaks you see are not usual. i put a rod threw the pan last week so now im swapin to a 4.0

Mad props.

I'm in the middle of the same swap but with leafs.

Good work man. Wheel that biotch!

can we get a shot of it from straight on, i wanna see how far the tires stick out on the truck

i tried like hell to use offset wheels to bring the tires back in but 4or 4.5 is the most i could do.

ill see what i can find

do anything for ya?

I have done the same swap and am just scared the front springs are going to pop out even though I have u bolts holding them in. Also how much lift are u running?

was that a bolt in swap?

i designed and built all the brackets and mounts to be bolt in. i had the thought in mind to try and make it into a kit and still do id just say im in the testing stage. lol

Green Ranger said:

I have done the same swap and am just scared the front springs are going to pop out even though I have u bolts holding them in. Also how much lift are u running?

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Yeah i did that swap and got the front end bouncing on a hill climb...lost the drivers side coil. When the front end dropped the front driveshaft took out my t-case. I still haven't come up with a good way to keep it in there.

Got bumpsteer

Bray D said:

Got bumpsteer

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you're talking about the drag link vs the trac bar angle? i dont really know my stuff yet.

also, looks like the spring perches on the axle itself are further outboard than the spring bucket? / \ <--- that kind of action.. do you plan to space the bucket tops out, or what?

nice truck btw

Bray D said:

Got bumpsteer

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ha ha. got full width?

bumpsteer? ill go with yes. but its because of more than just this. forst the trac bar angle is misleading in the picture also i have 4degree bushings. it wonders like a cloud in a thunderstorm on the road.

in defense it is my first straight axle swap. havnt even seen one in person till i did mine. i need to make an adjustable trac bar and relocate the trac bar mount but it needs a motor first.

and this picture makes the truck look way tall. wich is realy isnt.


ill plan to move the coils in on the bottom not out on the top. in on the bottom is more flex. also im tossing around the thought of coil overs but who has that kinda cash these days?

and thanks for the props.