Hey ford guys. I'm wanting to build up a custom rig using a extra cab toy frame and body with no bed or front kinda like rockstomper on the toy board. I want to use a ford drivetrain with the high pinion front and coils. What is the biggest tire that will live ok. Mostly for mud and sand play with some hill climbing. Whole bunch of damm chevys around here I have to show up. Thanks for any advice and keep the shinny side up at least most of the time.

Darby:rasta:

You want to run a 39" or smaller tire. A lot of people post a 38.5" tire is streching it for a Dana 44. (Read U-joint is weak point)

If you want to keep the Ford brakes go with a F100 - F150 76-77 OR a F250 77.5 - 79 front axle.

If your changing to Chevy brakes get a 73-75 F100 or F150 axle.

i will go ford all the way around i just love the nine inch. So many ways to beef it up and cheap and plentiful. I can get the front with all the arms and bracket for 50.00 needs new gears.

Thanks for the info

What year axle(s)?

Stay away from the 78-79 Full size Bronco and 1/2 ton's!

I think it is a 76 or 77. Why should I stay away from the others? Dont the later ones have disk brakes and such.

Darby

If you're running 38's or better and you want reliability, I'd run the Warn/CTM's in the rear. Any 31 spline axle for the rear is fine.

I'd be careful with gears with all the jumping you'll be doing. 4.88's is all the lower I'd go.

-Jack

Check this whitepaper:

Danny's F150/Bronco Brake Upgrade Page (http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/oct2001/brakeupgrade.php)

For info on how to upgrade the crappy little Bronco calipers that they put on late-70's Broncos and F150s.