full width, Pros & Cons

[Fordguy_80]

New to TRS, and this is my first post. I was just wondering what the pros and cons to going with a full width D44 from an full size late 70s bronco. I understand it may limit me to trails that are not so narrow. Just doing my home work on this, any input on this would be huge help thanks.

 

[86ford]

The full width axles are said to only be marginally more durable than the d35/31spline 8.8 but the stability of full widths is priceless. The axles your are talking about are only a total of 6 inches wider than the explorer axles. Its a rather large project (depends on your skills) to swap in a full width 44. As far as full width axles making trail riding more difficult I can honestly say I would rather crunch fenders on the fullwidths and be stable than be able to weave in and out of trees with a vehicle that is not as stable.

86

 

[4x4junkie]

That pretty well sums it up.

The tires sticking out more might actually save from crunching the sheetmetal as much in many instances.

Most of the time you do find fullwidths are more of an asset than a liability. One of the few exceptions however would be on reeeaaaallllly tight forested trails. You can't just put the tire higher up on a tree and drive on over like you can a rock or dirt berm (well, I guess you could in some cases, but it tends to leave scars on the tree trunks that do little more than give the bored enviro-nuts more ammo to try to take away our recreation so we can be miserable like them ). I'd probably keep it narrow if you play in the forests a lot.

 

[Fordguy_80]

Ok, thanks for the input. Would it be easyer to install a EB d44 or a full width one from say a 78 full size bronco. I get the felling that the EB d44 would be easyer, at least from what I have read. Personaly I dont have any exp with a swap like this, but I do start welding school here in a month at the local tech school in my area, and I have been turning a wrech for about 10 years. So I think I can handle it.

 

[KELLY88]

The EB 44s are about as close at it gets to finding a bolt in SAS for a Ranger. Full widths require more fab. Quite a few trucks on here are running a solid front axle. Some with EB D44, some with full widths, some with narrowed full widths etc. Check out the Offroad Truck of the Month threads or the RBVs Under Construction threads to find ideas and see other people's work and opinions.

 

[Fordguy_80]

Thanks for all the good info.

 

[MikeInIdaho]

The only (non performance related) con I can think of to running full widths is the increased chance of getting hassled by the fuzz for your tires sticking out too far from the fenders. Of course, it's nothing that can't be solved with some flares (and mud flaps, possibly) but who wants to get a lecture about vehicle and traffic laws from the po-po?

That being said, the performance benefits of running full-widths easily outweighs what minor drawbacks you might run into along the way. Good luck !

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm runnin a 44/9 combo in my 00. With full widths, my 15.5" wide TSL's and some egg shaped stock wheels from my 79 bronco with factory offset etc, I'm sittin at 84" wide.

I love the stability of it, and my turning is still tighter then factory with my current set up. Oatmealman's S10 hardly beats me at the "U turn at the end of my street" contest.

In a lot of states, if not all, your meats cant stick out past your metal. So you might need fender flares to avoid johnny law breathin down your neck.

I'm glad CO cops are chill. To me at least.


Good luck, and check my build thread for a rough understanding of what it takes to SAS the IFS rigs. Get ready to hack out that big ungawdly crossmember.

 

[alaskan155]

I'm runnin a 44/9 combo in my 00. With full widths, my 15.5" wide TSL's and some egg shaped stock wheels from my 79 bronco with factory offset etc, I'm sittin at 84" wide.

I love the stability of it, and my turning is still tighter then factory with my current set up. Oatmealman's S10 hardly beats me at the "U turn at the end of my street" contest.

In a lot of states, if not all, your meats cant stick out past your metal. So you might need fender flares to avoid johnny law breathin down your neck.

I'm glad CO cops are chill. To me at least.


Good luck, and check my build thread for a rough understanding of what it takes to SAS the IFS rigs. Get ready to hack out that big ungawdly crossmember.

so you wanna do mine on b2, when i get the leafs and axle lol, in oklahoma right know but gonna try to start collecting parts when i get back thinking some stock waggy leafs(for now) with the shackle in the front, and a chevy dana 44 8 lug, with a 14 b ff in the rear(gonna run a dodge np208)