Looks like fun. Love the photos!

 

A good solution to almost all of this is tons and 37's

 

Haha the plan of tons is no longer. Full widths are still on the want list but I think I'm gonna stick with 1/2 ton axles. 44/9 combo will most likely be the axles of choice with use of the ford radius arms to make it easier. These can be found all over the place and are fairly cheap. With enough searching, I could probably find a pair that are already semi-built

 

I think I know a guy who did something similar

 

Oh really? Maybe he can help me with my swap once the trigger is pulled

 

Alright now that you got the new job, when do we get to see updates?

 

As soon as the weather gets warmer haha. Bring on the spring and then the updates will start rolling in

 

So now that Spring has arrived, I guess I owe everyone updates...

I made a few deals here and there and currently have the following items waiting for installation...

FF 60 rear
-disk brakes
-4.88 gears
-Ruff Stuff perches so I can stretch the rear 2 inches

HP44 from 79 F150
-Converting to 8 lug
-Installing 4.88s
-Lunchbox locker
-Warn hubs

38/15.5/16.5 Super Swamper TSL Radials

Aluminum 16.5x12 wheels 8 on 6.5 pattern

Already have the general plans so I'm sourcing the rest of the items now. Plan is to build it all outside of rig so that I can still wheel and then do it all in one single swap. I want it all done by the end of July but we will see how the parts sourcing goes.

 

I have found a Chevy 8 lug 44 for cheap with warn hubs so I will be picking that up to take everything from the knuckles out and the stub shafts to put on the f150 housing. When I bought the f150 housing, I also got the radius arms. I will be getting measurements for those Wednesday and I'm having the guy who sold me them to weld them up with joints at the end as well as plate the sides.

The steering will be a heim joint, over the knuckle set up. I will be using my rubicon express track bar for now but I'm debating stretching the front an inch or two so I'll let everyone know what I decide.

I will be upgrading the brakes during all this as well. I will be using the late model XJ double diaphram booster with a Dodge 3/4 ton master cylinder. I have not decided what prop. valve I am going to use just yet..

The coil and leaf springs I currently have will be reused for now but depending on how everything goes during final install, I may have to purchase shorter springs to get the ride height I want.

Shocks are another item I have not decided on yet. I've always like the Doestch 8000's so I may go with them but I've got time to decide.

 

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Wait, I found one...

 

Haha it'd be easier to get pics if I had all the parts with me

 

Well I made the run down to SC to pick up the 8 lug 44. I will be dropping that off at a buddies house for storage this evening when I get measurements for the radius arms.

 

Picked up some stock Ford radius arms yesterday so I can cut them up and use just the clamping portion and then build the rest of the arm from there. I also got the Chevy 44 torn down. Found that the driver side knuckle was cracked and the driver side studs on the knuckle were trashed. I ordered another set used from eBay and they should be here next week. I also picked up new calipers for the front and lower coil buckets.

 

The past two weekends I've been working on the new axles. The 44 front was completely stripped down, cleaned, and painted. I also dropped it off at ECGS for 4.88 gears and a locker. Also on the order sheet from ECGS is ujoints and long side chromo. I've already got a short side chromo. While it has been with them, I got the hubs cleaned and painted and sand blasted the knuckles. I just have to remove the old ball joints and install the new ones I have waiting to go in.

The 60 was this past weekends project. I got it torn apart, cleaned and reassembled. The hubs were completely rebuilt and painted. I also had the rotors turned. I have calipers for it but because this axle was converted to disks by the previous owner, there is no prevision for an ebrake. I'm going to solve this by using Eldorado calipers. They aren't the best by any means but as long as I can bleed them fully and set the linkage for the ebrake just right, it should work well enough.

Once I get the front axle back from ECGS, I'll assemble it and then the real fun begins....Fabrication!!

 

Unfortunately, I was so busy working I didn't get any pics. Here's the only one I have and this is before I stripped it all down.