full width d44

[topnotchoffroad]

I picked up a 78 f150 for a doner, now im trying to decide what to do with the axles. I want to go full width and it looks like i could just space each side 2 inches and run factory buckets and shock towers. I am swapping in a 351w an np435/205, and 9 inch rear with a spool. I looked in tech but it mostly talks about narrowing, i know it has cast wedges so leafs are hard to do. Any ideas?

 

[legoms013]

If you want leafs sell it and look for the same thing but 3/4 ton

If you want coils just use what you already have....

 

[brinker88]

^This, and I can say from experience only SOME have wedges cast into them. I forget the years...hold on, I'll find it.

 

[legoms013]

78-79 are cast.

Earlier are welded on.

But when there are rules, there are also exceptions.

 

[topnotchoffroad]

I want to use the f150 suspension with coils, have read about spacing the buckets 2 inches on each side, or turning the spring mounts around. Has anyone done this?

 

[CTswampyankee]

I'm running full widths on my 84. I have simple custom spring buckets on my axle moving the mounts inword on the axle. I still have the stock ranger coil buckets on the frame rail.

 

[topnotchoffroad]

Swampy what kind of mount did you use for the rear of the i beams?

 

[Hagan]

Swampy what kind of mount did you use for the rear of the i beams?

Are you talking about the radius arms? Are you using the stock radius arms or are you extending them? If you want to be a cheap'o then you could use the stock radius arms and radius arm mounts.

 

[topnotchoffroad]

Was planning on stock but extending them sounds to have alot of advantages

 

[CTswampyankee]

I'm running stock 79 f150 radious arms and mounts. I have a custom mount atatching the radious ARM bracket to the frame.

 

[armadillon]

Sorry to resurrect this thread. I apologize in advance, I've been searching for a few hours in between calls at work and I'm having trouble finding a definitive answer.

I will be running a 79 Bronco D44 Full Width. Cast wedges. If I did the research properly, I'll need to change the upper coil buckets on the frame. I saw a few threads where people mentioned NOT to space them from the frame, and others people went right on ahead and did it.

I'm trying to figure it all out before I'm ballsdeep into the project and say "uhhhh" (and since I get the axle in a couple of weeks).

I have found a few threads where they've done it with EB or narrowed tubes, but doesn't that move in the spring perches/wedges?

Any pictures or links to threads with examples would be greatly appreciated.

 

[legoms013]

Sorry to resurrect this thread. I apologize in advance, I've been searching for a few hours in between calls at work and I'm having trouble finding a definitive answer.

I will be running a 79 Bronco D44 Full Width. Cast wedges. If I did the research properly, I'll need to change the upper coil buckets on the frame. I saw a few threads where people mentioned NOT to space them from the frame, and others people went right on ahead and did it.

I'm trying to figure it all out before I'm ballsdeep into the project and say "uhhhh" (and since I get the axle in a couple of weeks).

I have found a few threads where they've done it with EB or narrowed tubes, but doesn't that move in the spring perches/wedges?

Any pictures or links to threads with examples would be greatly appreciated.

Narrowing the axle down to EB places the coil buckets and lower coil mounts basically in line with each other.

Most just space the buckets out on the frame rail to use a FW axle.

 

[armadillon]

Good enough for me! 'Preciate it!

 

[Hagan]

I have a full width axle and my buckets are flush with the frame. I actually ground the wedges off on my axle and moved them 2.5" in to match the width of the frame. Sorry you have a 78/79 axle with cast on wedges so you can't do that. In my opinion when you space the buckets out it looks junky. You could also just move the lower coil mount in instead.

 

[armadillon]

I found a great pic of how the coil mount is directly on top of the radius arm here: http://littlekeylime.com/MrN/Spicer/img/Dana44/fordaxle_halfton.jpg

I think I saw some mounts available that can move it inward, but I'm going to see if I can find some thread where someone did it. Thanks for the additional information.