1997 f150 straight axle swap?

[mcleod]

I am about to do a straight axle swap into my 97 f150 2wd. I am useing the dana 44 and 9 inch out of a 79 bronco. The problem that I have is the stearing. The pit men arm on the f150 is different from the bronco. The f150 has a tie rod style end on it and the center link from the bronco also has a tie rod style end. I know that fabritech sells a swap kit and I was hopeing that someone could tell me what they use for a pit men arm? I can't get anyone at fabritech to tell me. I looked at the pictures they have online but they don't show the arm. I did notice that they didn't use the bronco centerlink. any help would be great. Thanks

[7.62FMJ]

FYI: "Pitman arm"


Also, It will be much cheaper to buy a 4WD truck and convert it. You will need the transmission and T-case from a '97-'98 truck, and I'm not sure how it will work with your 2WD's computer and wiring harness. You're on your own there, as I have never heard of anyone converting a '97+ 2WD to 4WD. And few have done a SAS on the 4WD trucks...

The stock 8.8 (or 9.75 if you have the 5.4L), are stronger than the stock 9", so I'd leave it in there.

[f250rollinon37s]

a stock 8.8 is in no way stronger than a 9"

the 9.75 - perhaps


the tranny can be converted by any tranny shop - id use a superduty manual shift t case - no extra wires - and the speed sensor in the t case might hook work too

[mcleod]

I think it would be cheaper to swap my truck to 4wd. I plan on pulling the motor and putting in a 302 with the np435 and np205. I can't use the stock 8.8 the lug pattern is different.

[BOGGER1966]

Originally Posted by mcleod

I can't use the stock 8.8 the lug pattern is different.

nope.....d44, 8.8, 9" are all 5x5.5..........

[Panthers65]

you dumb ass, it's a 97 f-150, it has a 5x135mm bolt patter, different from his 5X5.5 that he is swapping in, you will need to swap rear axles as well, and since it's coming with a matching 9" I'd swap that in.

It would be cheaper to just buy a 4x4 if thats all your looking for, but if you want a solid axle anyways, truth be told I'd rather start with a 2wd. I bought my last tranny from greenleaf for $500, a manual 1356 tcase can be had for 200 or so, and since your ripping the whole front end apart to put the solid axle in it doesn't really matter.

When doing a swap like this it's actually easier to start with a 2wd platform since the front already has the coil buckets in place, and they are the same style needed to run 78-79 coils.

As for the PITMAN arm, I forget which ones worked, but it was one of the earlier ones. Buy a 78-79 f-150 drop pitman arm and a 80-96 drop pitman arm, and return the one that doesn't work

[travisford83]

You may want to swap an older 8.8 into it because it will give you the 5x5.5 lug AND the speed sensor to ensure that your tranny will shift. If you run the 9 inch you will need to mod the housing to fit the sensor and mount the a speed ring to the ring gear. Your pitman arm situation should be fixed be running the 80-96 arm.....I would grab one from a wrecking yard first, they are cheap and it may be the correct angle. When I SAS swapped my old 94 I swapped out my dropped arm for a stock arm because the steering angles. As far as the steering links you will have to get creative and make the links (cut, sleeve, and plug weld) or take some measurements and have someone else do it.

[travisford83]

Just saw your note on your plans to swapping to a 302/435/205 so you can ignore my axle thoughts. What motor do you have now 4.2/4.6/5.4?....unless you have the 4.2 V-6 I would run your existing motor and tranny.

[BOGGER1966]

Originally Posted by Panthers65

you dumb ass, it's a 97 f-150, it has a 5x135mm bolt patter, different from his 5X5.5 that he is swapping in, you will need to swap rear axles as well, and since it's coming with a matching 9" I'd swap that in.

roger that.....didn't catch the 97 part....

[Panthers65]

the 4.2 transmission will bolt up to a small block v8 housing, but trying to keep the harness would be a pain. A c4 for a 302 would probably be a more simple option depending on how he's wanting to set his 302 up (EFI, carb, ect...)

if he has a v8 now he'll need a c4/c6 regardless.

Look up Kirk Dabney's solid axle f-150 build. He did something almost identical to what you are describing, '97 f150 2wd with a solid axle and a 460/c6.

[7.62FMJ]

Originally Posted by f250rollinon37s

a stock 8.8 is in no way stronger than a 9"

the 9.75 - perhaps

The 8.8 and 9" share the same diameter axleshafts. The only reason to go to the 9" would be for the enormous aftermarket support (which is growing everyday for the 8.8 thanks to Jeep and Mustang guys), and the extra pinion bearing.

I couldn't find torque ratings for the 9"

The 9.75 is stronger than a Dana 60....but the D60 will carry more weight due to it's thicker tubes.

[mcleod]

Thanks for all the info. I will try the pitman arm from the 79. I still have that. As for the motor I have the 4.2 v6 right now but I have the 302 out of a 69 mustang that I had rebuilt a few years ago and the 435/205 I got from a 79 f250 when I had my ranger with the 44 and 9 in it. I was going to swap out the c6 for the 435 but never got to it and sold the truck. I will be useing the clutch ass. from a late 80's model so I don't have to mess with the manual linkage.

[Panthers65]

I'd run the C4 if you've only got a 302, the C6 is a bit of a power hog.

The 8.8 also has c-clips, not really bad if you know your not going to break (jeep on 35's) but not be best on a full size pickup with a v8 and large tires, the 9" is the safe bet, and if he already has it, should run it. You'll have to ditch the ABS for the front end any ways.

[BeefCakeScout]

if you run the c4 make sure to change the planetary gear(stock is 3 gears) to an aftermarket(6 gear) one. that seems to be the only weak link. my buddy ran one behind a 460 in a high 10 car and it held up. Just MHO.

[f250rollinon37s]

the 8.8 axle is fine for small light vehicles -
but a fullsize ?


the 9" has multiple advantages -
the ring gear is larger ( 9" vs 8.8" ) and has three pinion supports - the case is stronger due to it design - the 9" is closed and supported in 360 deg. the 8.8 has ( for the LS and the open case ) large openings to install the spider gears and/or the clutch packs - thus a weaker case - the 8.8 is also a C clip axle - so if it breaks - out comes the tire - a 9" will ( most of the time ) still support weight -

for a jeep or ranger - an 8.8 is a great axle - if you install a full case locker and some aftermarket safts - its on - but then it is at its max - but for the same cash you can put a spool and 1.5" 35 spline shafts in a 9" and beat away -


i still say superduty axles - speed sensors will work and have big brakes and axles -

[Panthers65]

X2

a set of sduty axles work great, are cheap, but are a little harder to hang because the location of the chunk. Leafs are possible but the back mounts are hard with the way the frame is shaped. Then again some coilovers on the front would fix all your fit problems and be much easier to mount.

[7.62FMJ]

[classified ad] I have a D80 from a F350 I'd be willing to let go [/classified ad]

[mcleod]

I think I got it figured out. I should be able to use the pitman arm from the 80's style ranger and the drag link and tie rod end from either the 1980 bronco or the 80's ranger. I have both so I will find out when the time comes to put it in. Thanks for all the info. I will let you know how it goes.

[welndmn]

With the amount of work you are planning on, ever think about just getting a 78/79 bronco and swapping your F-150 body on it?

[twoll86]

if you used a super lift true speed would that take care of the speed o problem? im think of doing a sas on my 99 4x4 and this is my ? so thought it might go good here?

[CHOPPEDBII]

personaly I would go 9"

if you are worried about the wiring why not just go duraspark untill you find the right setup that dosen't need all the sensors?

[bigreen]

I used a '94 F-350 pitman arm....but i have a 4x4 PS box, and am not sure if the 2wd box has a different sector shaft or not.

[twoll86]

Originally Posted by CHOPPEDBII

personaly I would go 9"

if you are worried about the wiring why not just go duraspark untill you find the right setup that dosen't need all the sensors?

what is a duraspark?

[CHOPPEDBII]

what is a duraspark?

carb and 70's elec. iqn. very simple and easy to wire and very cheap...free if you got some ford friends with some old cars/trucks laying around.

[twoll86]

how would that fix the speed problem or did i but in on sumthan else?