Curiousity in regards to fullsize TTB swap...

[Venumb]

Which would make your hair fall out faster?
Swapping/Fabbing a straight axle into a 86'Bronco II or Swapping/Fabbing a full size TTB into a '86 Bronco II.

I'm familiar with the straight axle swap, but have never seen anyone try to swap out a Dana28/35 TTB in exchange for a fullsize Dana44? TTB. There's probrably a good reason for this too, right? Someone enlighten me.

[bsoder]

Originally posted by Venumb:
<STRONG>Which would make your hair fall out faster?
Swapping/Fabbing a straight axle into a 86'Bronco II or Swapping/Fabbing a full size TTB into a '86 Bronco II.

I'm familiar with the straight axle swap, but have never seen anyone try to swap out a Dana28/35 TTB in exchange for a fullsize Dana44? TTB. There's probrably a good reason for this too, right? Someone enlighten me.</STRONG>

My opinion is that the TTB is inferior to a solid axle especially with a lifted vehicle. You get less flex, the design isn't as strong, and alignment is difficult. That said, it doesn't make sense to me to replace your TTB with another TTB, even if it's bigger.

Just my opinion.

[Nobody]

I get a head ache even thinking about a TTB 44 swap. Way to much work involved and the end product is inferior to a solid axle and would only be slightly stronger than a D35 TTB.

Would you want it full width or chopped down?

The solid axle swap is super simple and it's cheap. It seems to me people worry about driveability with the solid axle. I can assure you that you wouldn't regret it. My bronco drives great, and actually tracks down the road straight now.

[Gordon]

I have seen this done it is good for the desert because you can get more wheel travel than with a solid axle. I have seen a dana 50 IFS on a ranger as well. I think Currie narrowed the beams, and axles.

[1uglyranger]

Blasting over sand dunes is the only thing that a TTB is any good for. And yes, the SAS is very easy to do. I can speak from experience, and say that the swap only took me 1 weekend to complete, and I drive my Ranger everywhere. I don't own a tow vehicle, and it drives just fine on the freeway. Swaping a bigger TTB sounds like a waste of time..

[RockRanger]

why swap an 44 TTb in. they use the same size u joint at the 35. the hub is a weak link on the 35 and you can swap the stronger 44 hubs onto the 35 and gat a 5 on 5.5 wheel pattern. Only area really stronger is the ring and pinion and i don't know many people that have broke them.

Matt

[Venumb]

That's cool...thanks for the input. The Dana 44 TTB question was more of curiousity than consideration.

Ultimately, I'm going to upgrade from my Dana 28 to a 35 or 44 straight axle if I can find one for the right price.

[Squanto]

Originally posted by Venumb:
<STRONG>That's cool...thanks for the input. The Dana 44 TTB question was more of curiousity than consideration.

Ultimately, I'm going to upgrade from my Dana 28 to a 35 or 44 straight axle if I can find one for the right price.</STRONG>

The reason for never hearing about a D44 TTB swap is cuz no one has done it! <IMG SRC="smilies/rasta.gif" border="0"> It's just a waste, not much stronger, and STILL A PIA to align.

Keep looking for the D44 straight axle, and me, you, Splash, and Jer will swap it in over a weekend ay Splash and Jer's place! (Yours' will be a good guinea pig for our first swap! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">)

Oh, BTW, YOU SUCK, NEWBIE!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/jester.gif" border="0">

[ 09-25-2001: Message edited by: Squanto ]

[JimL]

Originally posted by Squanto:
<STRONG>The reason for never hearing about a D44 TTB swap is cuz no one has done it! <IMG SRC="smilies/rasta.gif" border="0"> It's just a waste, not much stronger, and STILL A PIA to align.

Keep looking for the D44 straight axle, and me, you, Splash, and Jer will swap it in over a weekend ay Splash and Jer's place! (Yours' will be a good guinea pig for our first swap! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">)

Oh, BTW, YOU SUCK, NEWBIE!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/jester.gif" border="0">

[ 09-25-2001: Message edited by: Squanto ]</STRONG>

On the contrary, Currie(?) used to make a whole swap kit (or was that to just swap the outers? I don't remember now, it has been a while.) but quit making it because it wasn't cost effective. It is much more effective to swap a straight axle D44 instead and presumably cheaper. Not that this aided in the swap, but I thought I'd share this info.

As far as the swap, wouldn't it be pretty straight forward? All you'd have to do is move the upper spring mounts further outside of the frame and move the radius arm mounts also outside of the frame. Utilizing the same drop bracket which attatches to the axle. Correct? Then I guess you have steering which is a whole 'nother can of worms. I guess it isn't as "straight forward" as I originally thought. Oh well. <IMG SRC="smilies/emb.gif" border="0">

[Venumb]

Thanks for the warm welcome Squeedes <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> . BTW, I thought you were banned from ever doing work on Splashman's and Jer's premises...something to do with you being a dirt dumping, pain in the a$$ <IMG SRC="smilies/flipoff.gif" border="0">

[Squanto]

Originally posted by JimL:
[QBOn the contrary, Currie(?) used to make a whole swap kit (or was that to just swap the outers? I don't remember now, it has been a while.) but quit making it because it wasn't cost effective. It is much more effective to swap a straight axle D44 instead and presumably cheaper. Not that this aided in the swap, but I thought I'd share this info.

As far as the swap, wouldn't it be pretty straight forward? All you'd have to do is move the upper spring mounts further outside of the frame and move the radius arm mounts also outside of the frame. Utilizing the same drop bracket which attatches to the axle. Correct? Then I guess you have steering which is a whole 'nother can of worms. I guess it isn't as "straight forward" as I originally thought. Oh well. <IMG SRC="smilies/emb.gif" border="0">[/QB]

I guess I shoulda said no one does that swap NOW. <IMG SRC="smilies/rasta.gif" border="0"> They musta found out it was a waste! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

As far as the swap, it actually is pretty simple. All you need is the 44 axle, radius arms, trac bar (a new trac-bar mount needs to be fabbed to accomidate the lift), the brackets for the radius arms mounting to the frame, 3.5" VR Duff coils (seem popular), and the steering isn't too hard to do from what I hear. The upper coil buckets don't have to move, I think they are only off like 1/8"!!! This is all using EB axles, tho. 9" Is just about a bolt it, but I'm not sure about the driveshaft connection.
All in all, for what ya get, it's not a very hard swap, and well worth it!

[Squanto]

Originally posted by Venumb:
<STRONG>Thanks for the warm welcome Squeedes <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> . BTW, I thought you were banned from ever doing work on Splashman's and Jer's premises...something to do with you being a dirt dumping, pain in the a$$ <IMG SRC="smilies/flipoff.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

I think I was banned from working on my truck there... <IMG SRC="smilies/grinpimp.gif" border="0">
Hey, remember my "Pigpen" impression? <IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0">

ps. Since you already have a lift in, it would be even easier. Have the stuff we'd need to take off would judt unbolt!!!

[ 09-25-2001: Message edited by: Squanto ]