Deciding on axles

[Bennybooster]

just get a drivers drop axle

 

[4.0B2]

well think about the t/case you're gonna use..

 

[--weezl--]

I understand that completely, it will be my work truck/weekend warrior. I know it will cost quite a bit and that is why i am going to build it in stages like Weezl said.


I am NOT gonna be lowering the truck at all. if anything ill keep it the same height and just cut the fenders a bit. I might just swap in the axles first because that i think the rear is on its way out and honestly i don't see the relevance of rebuilding it when im going to upgrade later. I also know the limitations of the axles and at first im just going to put around to let everything break in. As far as tires I will be putting bigger tires on it but not until i get the axles under there.

what sno ranger said \/ \/ though there IS actually a nice useage for airbags on a 4x4 vehicle... they are a little impractical, however allow you to adjust ride height for different obstacles, and when done with different setups can allow for a LOT more wheel travel than conventional springs...

First off he meant "bag it" as in beat on it, not lower it.

What size tire do you plan to run. I would say a mild 4bt, 35s or smaller, and a 31 spline 8.8 would work out pretty good (unless you "bag" it).

I'd be worried running a d35 and a mild 4bt on 35s, 33s should be ok. The engine weights about 750 lbs. Maybe a TTB d35 with d44 outers with 35s.

thanks for pickin up what i was puttin down!

Also would i have to use ford axles because of the room for the transfer case? Or just an axle that is driverside drop?

no, you don't HAVE to run ford, though why not?

just make sure your front diff is sitting on the same side as your front output shaft of t/c... hell, you could run a honda ridgeline rear diff and a john deere front diff if you wanted to (and you could get similar ratios) but not sure why you would want to...

 

[86MUDRCJ]

I do plan on using Ford axles I just thought was no other options. And the reason I asked was because I can only find Ford Dana 60 front and Dodge d60 rear

 

[--weezl--]

you don't need to match the dana numbers, just the ratios... technically you could run a semi truck axle in the rear (like 15" or what ever) and a d28 in the front, though it would be completely pointless...

 

[legoms013]

A D35 will hold up, but there won't be much margin for error. If you are light on the skinny pedal, I'd try it.

However, make sure you have Spicer 5-760x's, and full circle snap rings all done up.

Then if thats not working, and you need a lil extra beef to get you by, consider teh D44 outer knuckle swap mod. Bigger brakes, bearings and bigger bolt pattern

That being said, if you can and have the money, you'd be better off to start with at least a solid axle D44. That would be what I'd go for.

If you have that much time and money though, why not a D60?

For the rear, a disc explorer 8.8 should be fine. Remember they still put them in the Shelby GT500's
My 2 cents.

If I ever get around to a 4bt swap, I'll start out with just my D35......and then if it really isn't holding up, I'll go to a solid axle (either a FW D60, or narrowed D44).