front end and rear swap

[BUCKY66]

Hey guys. I have built my 66 from the ground up and want to trade out the stock dana 30 front end for something a little bigger. There is a 79 big bronco for sale for dirt cheep and may be willing to part it out. This may be a dumb question but do you know what all would have to be done to swap out my front and rear for a 79 front and rear end? the front of his has coils. I know the total width is bigger but are the leaf and coil spring mounts further apart that the 66. If so how much different is it. I have been trying to figure this out. I have not taken measurement off his because it is a little ways from me but want to know if this is something worth looking into.

 

[Bully Bob]

What's your objective Bucky..?

IMHO it's pretty hard to beat what you have....

Sounds like a lot of work., expense & engineering for little gain, if any.

If mountain climb'n is your game., then add a rear locker & axles. (Approx. 90% of climbing is done with the rear.)

You can put posi in the front for a bit more pull.

------OR------

If you feel the need..., Dana 44's are cheap & plentiful & a direct bolt-up..!

You could then put a locker up front...& really scare yourself... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> :-B

 

[BUCKY66]

What's your objective Bucky..?

IMHO it's pretty hard to beat what you have....

Sounds like a lot of work., expense & engineering for little gain, if any.

If mountain climb'n is your game., then add a rear locker & axles. (Approx. 90% of climbing is done with the rear.)

You can put posi in the front for a bit more pull.

------OR------

If you feel the need..., Dana 44's are cheap & plentiful & a direct bolt-up..!

You could then put a locker up front...& really scare yourself... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> :-B

thinking about a wider stance and disc brakes since I have 8.5" total lift. not sure, thats why I put a post. I think your right about a locker in the back. Thanks for the reply

 

[S_bolt19]

Just out of curiosity, why did you go with that much lift? I am guessing you went with a 5.5 susp. & 3" body, correct? Are you mud runnin? Because if you go that high with a short wheel base rig like an EB, you are setting yourself up for a lot of rolls if you plan on rock crawlin it, no matter what your width is.

But to answer your question... Yes, the spring mounts are wider apart on the 79 than the 66. The frame is wider to accommodate the bigger body of the FSB. The rear is going to be fairly easy to put on. Just a matter of relocating spring perches. Both the 79 & your 66 have 9" rear ends, so you just have to line things up correct. The front end is going to be a little more challenging because you have the spring buckets & radius arms to relocate on the axle. It is basically the same thing, but you have to take all of the "c" wedges off & move them inboard on the axle, or build brackets (not recommended) and move all of your spring & radius arm mounts out further than what they are. Just a lot of measuring and double & triple checking to make sure everything lines up correct. The front of a 79 should also be a D44.

 

[BUCKY66]

Just out of curiosity, why did you go with that much lift? I am guessing you went with a 5.5 susp. & 3" body, correct? Are you mud runnin? Because if you go that high with a short wheel base rig like an EB, you are setting yourself up for a lot of rolls if you plan on rock crawlin it, no matter what your width is.

But to answer your question... Yes, the spring mounts are wider apart on the 79 than the 66. The frame is wider to accommodate the bigger body of the FSB. The rear is going to be fairly easy to put on. Just a matter of relocating spring perches. Both the 79 & your 66 have 9" rear ends, so you just have to line things up correct. The front end is going to be a little more challenging because you have the spring buckets & radius arms to relocate on the axle. It is basically the same thing, but you have to take all of the "c" wedges off & move them inboard on the axle, or build brackets (not recommended) and move all of your spring & radius arm mounts out further than what they are. Just a lot of measuring and double & triple checking to make sure everything lines up correct. The front of a 79 should also be a D44.

Thanks for the informatoin. Yes sir, 5.5 susp. and 3" body. I decided go go for a frame off restoration since I tried to take down a tree one day and needed to fix a fender and grill. Not to mention I wanted to trade out my stock inline 6 for a V8. It was the usuall thing but once I got it to the frame decided to go all out and wound up with a pretty penny in it so its not going to go one the craziest of trails. It will be more for some weekend fun driving and some small trails and camping. I got it all together except for a few things. Ill attach a pic but don't laugh at the tires because they haven't been replaced with bigger ones yet. LOL. It still need some new paint also.

 

[BUCKY66]

Just out of curiosity, why did you go with that much lift? I am guessing you went with a 5.5 susp. & 3" body, correct? Are you mud runnin? Because if you go that high with a short wheel base rig like an EB, you are setting yourself up for a lot of rolls if you plan on rock crawlin it, no matter what your width is.

But to answer your question... Yes, the spring mounts are wider apart on the 79 than the 66. The frame is wider to accommodate the bigger body of the FSB. The rear is going to be fairly easy to put on. Just a matter of relocating spring perches. Both the 79 & your 66 have 9" rear ends, so you just have to line things up correct. The front end is going to be a little more challenging because you have the spring buckets & radius arms to relocate on the axle. It is basically the same thing, but you have to take all of the "c" wedges off & move them inboard on the axle, or build brackets (not recommended) and move all of your spring & radius arm mounts out further than what they are. Just a lot of measuring and double & triple checking to make sure everything lines up correct. The front of a 79 should also be a D44.

Thanks for the informatoin. Yes sir, 5.5 susp. and 3" body. I decided go go for a frame off restoration since I tried to take down a tree one day and needed to fix a fender and grill. Not to mention I wanted to trade out my stock inline 6 for a V8. It was the usuall thing but once I got it to the frame decided to go all out and wound up with a pretty penny in it so its not going to go one the craziest of trails. It will be more for some weekend fun driving and some small trails and camping. I got it all together except for a few things. Ill attach a pic but don't laugh at the tires because they haven't been replaced with bigger ones yet. LOL. It still need some new paint also.

 

[Bully Bob]

"its not going to go on the craziest of trails. It will be more for some weekend fun driving and some small trails and camping."

Well.., there ya go...! Again., IMHO, save all that "molala" & invest in a good rollbar >

Especially if you're going to seat any young'ns in there. [-o<

 

[bigbluebronc]

Well shucks no one told me the 80s style sky high trucks where back in style, and here I just got mine as low as possible with the biggest tires I wanted too run. Well time too take the shocks and springs and such down too the chrome shop. Just messin with ya! Nice lookin rig just a tad tall for my taste! Did ya make your own bumpers and sliders and such, they are quite inventive.

Go with what Bob said cage, stock 44 swap, rear locker.

 

[BUCKY66]

Well shucks no one told me the 80s style sky high trucks where back in style, and here I just got mine as low as possible with the biggest tires I wanted too run. Well time too take the shocks and springs and such down too the chrome shop. Just messin with ya! Nice lookin rig just a tad tall for my taste! Did ya make your own bumpers and sliders and such, they are quite inventive.

Go with what Bob said cage, stock 44 swap, rear locker.

Geeeessssss... You guys are a hard crowd around here. LOL. No sweat, I know we all have different tastes but are part of the same Bronco breed. The truck has been on some good times and trails through north georgia and the mud and back when it wasn't so lifted. That was before I took it apart so I know what you guys are talking about with the whole height thing. I just figured for my first frame off I would have a little fun with it. I tell ya what, Nothing like looking at a bare frame and loads of bolts and parts and saying dam*, what in Haiti's have I done. But we all know that is where the fun starts and knowledge is gained. Not to mention the pockets empty. LOL

Any of you guys around the Memphis area?