6" lift question...

[mikej83]

hey guys, i looked in the tech, but its all 4" stuff...im lookin to put a hp dana 44 front/8.8 rear in my b2. i have a line on the james duff 6" coils. i know the 78-79 fullsize radius arm brackets are a perfect fit for a 4" lift, but what about a 6"? custom brackets, ect? thanks

 

[4x4junkie]

Is this a solid axle or TTB D44? What vehicle are the coils for?
Custom brackets are pretty much a given unless the D44 you're using happens to be a narrowed TTB axle.

Assuming solid axle and the coils are for the same, you're probably going to end up with about 8-9" lift with that setup unless you move up the coil buckets on the frame.

 

[mikej83]

yeah, its a straight axle...im guessing from the JD website the coils are EB, they're the pro-rate coils. dont know much, buyin it off some guy who bought all the parts off another guy, said they'd work in his ranger, and didnt ask any more questions. but i did make sure it was ford diffs though thanks for the tip about the buckets

 

[4x4junkie]

Sounds like a classic D44 SAS (straight axle swap).

Those radius arm brackets should work fine. You might even be able to use the lower-profile '77down brackets that don't hang down as far if you get offset C-bushings for the axle.

I'll move your post over to the suspension swaps section where it should get a bit better exposure

 

[mikej83]

Thanks man, i appreciate the help

 

[Mechanickid]

So hows this work? Whats is involved with the 66-77 eb 44 swap?

 

[mikej83]

well, i've never done one before, all i know i basically heard from others or read in the tech section but i figure i can figure most of the blanks out once i get there

 

[4x4junkie]

So hows this work? Whats is involved with the 66-77 eb 44 swap?

Replacing the weak D28 TTB axle with a D44 straight axle.

The early Bronco ('71-'77) axle makes this easiest because all you need to fab up for it is a trackbar bracket, radius arm brackets (or adapt the Ford RA brackets to fit), and of course the steering linkage. These axles are becoming rarer than hen's teeth though, and their stock shafts aren't particularly strong.

D44 axles range from just slightly stronger to much weaker than the D35 axle that can be bolted right in place of the D28, so normally I recommend just swapping to the D35, but if you already happen to have a suitable axle on hand, no reason not to use it.

There's a good number of threads (with pics) in the RBVs Under Construction section where guys have done SASs using various axles.

 

[Shran]

The main advantage to the EB D44 swap is the width, which happens to be perfect for a RBV. You also (in my opinion) gain simplicity, a lot of aftermarket support, and superior strength for some types of wheelin.

I'm not talking about strength as in shafts and such...more like you don't have two drop brackets to break, steering doesn't suck, and a lot less moving parts.