D44 vs. D35

[Bennybooster]

Also either way I go it is going to be a fairly in depth build so the work involved is not a part of my decision either way

 

[4x4junkie]

I wheel muddy trails, not really rocks at all, although at some point I will hit the Rubicon just to say I did it, and its close. FW axles wouldnt be a problem, I also plan on running wheels with 4-4.5in of BS if I go FW. I'm not worried about strength on the setup, however I am more curious about street ability with either setup, flex on either setup, also what year axles to go with if I go SAS.

Also if I stick with the D35 I will do the 44 knuckle upgrade most likely.

Also I am curious about steering on the SAS, can I use the stock linkage and just modify it a bit for the Ranger?

Also on coils, so pro vs. con Jeep vs. EB

Jeep: Pro Flexy, fit in ranger buckets
Con, maybe too soft?

EB: Pro street ability? decent flex
Con New coil buckets or modified stock ones.

What do you guys think?

Streetability should be fine in either case here, however your steering linkage geometry is what will make or break pretty much any setup.
With the SAS, the trackbar and your draglink have to be be parallel to each other, and as close to horizontal as possible (the stock TTB Y-linkage is worthless on a straight axle).
Similarly, the TTB setup needs the linkage to be inline (parallel) with your beams to minimize any bumpsteer.

I would suggest EB coils (or soft F-150 coils such as Deaver's 300PPI coils) since it looks like you have a Supercab truck. A swaybar (w/disconnects) can be added if needed. The Jeep coils will likely be too soft though (4WD S/C trucks typically have 2100 or so lbs sprung weight over the front axle).

 

[Bennybooster]

Streetability should be fine in either case here, however your steering linkage geometry is what will make or break pretty much any setup.
With the SAS, the trackbar and your draglink have to be be parallel to each other, and as close to horizontal as possible (the stock TTB Y-linkage is worthless on a straight axle).
Similarly, the TTB setup needs the linkage to be inline (parallel) with your beams to minimize any bumpsteer.

I would suggest EB coils (or soft F-150 coils such as Deaver's 300PPI coils) since it looks like you have a Supercab truck. A swaybar (w/disconnects) can be added if needed. The Jeep coils will likely be too soft though (4WD S/C trucks typically have 2100 or so lbs sprung weight over the front axle).

Rep for the good info.

I think I have decided to go with SAS although as we all know plans do change. I am going to be asking more questions here as time goes on as well as in my build thread, the link is in my sig

 

[The Jester Race]

Hit me up when you come down to run the Rubicon, I'll come play.
I agree with bobbywalter, if you can find a D60 cheap get it.

Don't cheap out on the steering, set it up right the first time and save yourself the headache.


-Jester

 

[bobbywalter]

i have run a trainload of ttb setups on my rig.



with 35 in or larger tires, its street manners are best with the d60 on leafs.

not even close to comparable, especially braking. real shitty slimy slush weather its never been as stable, i attribute most of that to width. though hard braking in slush with 37's sux with anything...with 33's its a dream to drive on the clapped out roads around detroit...doesnt jump out of the ruts like the ttb.

off road, the ttb was better on the all around ride in mild stuff. but i have not run coils or coilovers with the 60 yet, but have built and operated many coil sas vehicles, and in the same mild conditions say they have nothing on the ttb. where speed comes into play the ttb is a big plus.

when the tire size is up and i am in situations that require stupid, the drawbacks of the leafs quickly melt with the strength of the 60.

i can see me going to a hybrid sometime.

just have a hard time going to a sas 44 over an existing d35. rather bling up a 35.

 

[bobbywalter]

Hit me up when you come down to run the Rubicon, I'll come play.
I agree with bobbywalter, if you can find a D60 cheap get it.

Don't cheap out on the steering, set it up right the first time and save yourself the headache.


-Jester

quick jack here guys,


jester, if you get a chance post up in the tire section under the military tires of what you think of them, unless those are not oz tires...really curios about thoughts on them with these rigs....and if you can get front rear axle weights that would be a plus


jack ended..

 

[The Jester Race]

quick jack here guys,


jester, if you get a chance post up in the tire section under the military tires of what you think of them, unless those are not oz tires...really curios about thoughts on them with these rigs....and if you can get front rear axle weights that would be a plus


jack ended..

I'll have to find a scale to get the weights. They suck in the snow, but other then that they are great, and can't beat the price, $100/tire shipped to my door.

Edit: Link? I looked and didn't see a thread for them.


-Jester

 

[bobbywalter]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97361


i hope that is it....

yeah not a snow tire where hard surface exists.

 

[The_Dealer]

I got tired of reading and dunno if its been covered here. But wagonner d44's are drivers drop and 5x4.5

At least I know some were

Next. Sfa and ttb will flex about the same no matter what. U run some stock rbv coils both are gonna be stiff as shit and not flex. Problem is with softer coils and ttb is the steering. The problem is there all the time, but the stiffer coils mask the problem(kinda like steering stabilizers controlling bumpsteer)

U are super cab so I vOte d44

If your rig was lighter I'd say d35 but if u want 35s you'd prolly kill it quick

 

[bobbywalter]

full size is waggy...small is cherokee in general for me.

early wag is passenger drop....never seen them in 4.5 but its possible as dodge were....the late wag with driver drop were 5 or 6 with the 5.5 spacing iirc..


only fs i have seen with 5x4.5 were dodge. jeepswere 5x5.5 or 6 lug

 

[Bennybooster]

Yea, after all the pros and cons and what I want from it I think FW HP D44 with 5.5EB coils stock Rad arms and a modified Trac bar mount, I have some Ideas on steering but I am still researching and figureing out what will be best, in the back will be for starters exploder leafs lift shackles and a block. we will see where I am hight wise once the front is done.

On another note, what have people been doing for coil buckets? I have seen the JD buckets but that is spendy, can I just modify the stockers?

 

[bobbywalter]

just make your own.


hi steer arms are a great way to go.

 

[bobbywalter]

nice thing bout fw, with the 60 you dont even have to worry bout the k member and if your going forward a bit most fw 44 dont cause too many issues either.


custom k member is the best way to go though, it makes a beefy trac bar mount even easier to do.

 

[4.0B2]

speaking of dodge d44's i think they were pass drop, but some of them are 5x4.5 BUT they are a live axle also. no hubs, like the d30.. i believe. i could be wrong tho...

 

[Bennybooster]

How far can I push it forward until I have to move the PS pump?