so iv decided to do an axle swap. id like to get some opinions on what vehicles are the best to pull a front and rear axle out of and the best width for both axles.

 

well, we need a little more info, tire size, gearing, what are you going through (mud, rock, mall crawl...) but if your guna do both front and rear, get FSJ wagoneer D44s, that way they are the same width and bolt pattern

 

no bigger than 37's, thinkin 5.13 gears, and trails, mud, a little rock

 

Do you want full width or something close to stock? Waggys are roughly an inch wider and a Rodeo 44 rear is the same width as the waggy and comes with disc. For full width 79 and earlier ford fronts and matching 9" rear. Later dodge 1/2 tons have a 44 front that's low pinion (like a waggy) and uses unit bearings like you 30 and some have the CAD, same bolt pattern as the 9" which is way better than the 9.25 that come on the same truck.

 

To me the questions is variable on how patient you are, and what your ultimate goal is. It also depends on how good your fab skills are. If you are patient and have limited tools or fab skills keep your eyes on different 4x4 sites for ppl upgrading to 1 tons. Normally you can pick up midly built axles for 60% of new cost.

Now if you are one of those guys who likes to scour j-yards, and mind deals.. expect to pay upt to 500 for a set of waggy axles, in good ready to run condition, but if you find a set that needs ball joints, bearings, rotors, or any other hard parts adjust accordingly to the price.

For full size axle I prefer 73to 77 ford 1/2 or 78/79 3/4 ton ford axles. The 73 ford axle has drum front brakes.. which makes the "undesireble" But converting them is easy. It also makes them cheap, and they have 1/2 tubes.

 

I plan on taking my time with the swap, and putting some real effort, and money, into these axles, so I'm in no true rush. But I would like to keep the wheel width as close to stock as possible, but if I could find a good deal no more 67" wide.