D44 TTB swap??

[Twisted4x4]

Wondering if anyone has swapped in a D44 TTB and kept it full width?? Ive read through the tech library and all it mentions is how to narrow it. Reason Im asking is cause I know of a mid 80's Bronco that I can get cheap and Im thinking of stuffing its axles up under my 89 Ranger 4x4, currently running open D28 and 7.5. Just wondering what all it would take to pull this swap off

 

[bobbywalter]

look up kopy cat

 

[The_Dealer]

Wondering if anyone has swapped in a D44 TTB and kept it full width?? Ive read through the tech library and all it mentions is how to narrow it. Reason Im asking is cause I know of a mid 80's Bronco that I can get cheap and Im thinking of stuffing its axles up under my 89 Ranger 4x4, currently running open D28 and 7.5. Just wondering what all it would take to pull this swap off

thats what im thinking about doing, i have a full width 8.8 i got from my buddy, he also has a d44 ttb out of a bronco. he wants my d35 for his ranger, and will trade. that will let me run good axles, full width for stability, and it wont cost me anything for the axles

 

[Twisted4x4]

Ya thats pretty much same thing im thinking, bigger stronger axles and wider for more stability. Only thing im not sure on is how far apart the beam mounts are on the frame? Im assuming they are wider than Rangers.

I tried to look up KopyCat but didnt seem to find much about this topic.

 

[cammeddrz]

I tried to look up KopyCat but didnt seem to find much about this topic.

you don't find copykat....he finds you. oh wait, you spelled it wrong, that's why. it has a "K"

 

[Twisted4x4]

you don't find copykat....he finds you. oh wait, you spelled it wrong, that's why. it has a "K"

Ya well I figured the spelling was wrong when I tried to look him up lol. Has he done this swap b4?

 

[cammeddrz]

Ya well I figured the spelling was wrong when I tried to look him up lol. Has he done this swap b4?

yes

 

[4x4junkie]

I think CopyKat only has the D44 knuckles on his D35, though I recall he was planning a full 44 swap at some point (maybe he finally finished it? Not sure).

The D44 will mount up, but a small amount of fabricating is needed due to a difference in width (spacing) of the pivot brackets.

You'll need to lengthen each beam 1" next to the pivots (the best way), or you can either redrill your pivot brackets with a new hole 1" toward center, or you can bolt the axle in as is, and then shorten the passengerside shaft(s) a total of 1.5-2". The latter method will result in a 2" narrowing of the axle over what it was in the fullsize it came from.
You'll also need to move your coil buckets out off the frame 1-2" to line up with the mounts on the axle.

 

[udjlax]

how would you move the bucket off of the frame? just a steel spacer? and 1-2" per side, or total?

 

[4x4junkie]

1-2" each side, depending on how much lift you have (with the coils being angled slightly, you'd space the mounts out less with more lift).

I've seen people use thick channel steel, or a section of box tubing behind it (mounted in a vertical fashion). If you're bolting everything down, be sure to have sleeves or something for the bolts to go through so it doesn't crush everything when you tighten it.