What front axle? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

TEEJ · 10-12-2005, 01:47 PM

OK, here's what I got:

99' TJ 2.5l
ax5 231
8.8/d30 4:88's
RE LA's up front
5.5" coils
stretched to 104"
SOA YJ leafs rear
cell behind seats
on 35's.

I have a buddy that has offered to give me an HP ford 44 out of a late 70's model bronco. Should I run this axle, cut it down, change rear bolt pattern?
Run this front cut down, run spacers with matching pattern, (running spacers anyway at the moment 1.5" rear.) Run it full width, and try to make up for the width differences by spacers/ backspacing of new wheels? Or just get a waggy front, and change both to 5on5.5? I have looked over this alot, and searched everywhere and found lots of good stuff, just can't come to a conlusion. This rig will see either 36" SX's, or 36" ( i guess 37") Iroks.

EDIT: I want to keep the 8.8, and don't want to go 1 ton at this point, just wanna swap out the front.
Thanks,
Matt

Schmozilla · 10-12-2005, 03:53 PM

You should keep the front full width, then just buy rims to pull the front wheels in half the distance and the opisite for the rear... This is what I am doing for my full width 60. The closer the center of your tire is to the point that your knuckle rotates on the easier it is going to be to turn.

mossrocktj · 10-12-2005, 04:37 PM

Solid plan

TEEJ · 10-12-2005, 04:54 PM

I was thinking that as well. If I leave it full width, I suppose I'll keep some spacers in the back, and just run different backspacing f & r. The heep was built this last time with 37's in mind, but kinda ran outta cash before I could build a front axle. More opinions/ideas welcome.....

Here is a pic of how the rig sits on 35's, only pic I got at the moment:

00pumpkin · 10-12-2005, 07:59 PM

yeah i agree, dont cut it down, you will probably go full width rear eventually anyway and it will save you alot of hassle. Im in the middle of putting full widths on my TJ and got beadlocks with 5" of backspacing so its not going to be too wide...................

XJ_ranger · 10-12-2005, 11:27 PM

how late 70's?

if its a 78 or 79 - start reading about radius arms... 'cuse that is all you got...

76/77 on the other hand...

im assuming this is a full size bronco?

bigredjeep1 · 10-12-2005, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XJ_ranger

how late 70's?

if its a 78 or 79 - start reading about radius arms... 'cuse that is all you got...

76/77 on the other hand...

im assuming this is a full size bronco?

If it's hp44 then it's full width, or at least full width compared to the narrow 1st generation Broncos. It should be 67" wms to wms. I'd sell the 8.8 for some good $ and build up a matching 9" for the rear. If you really want to keep the 8.8 for now, you can get spacer/wheel adapter to change your bolt pattern from 5 on 4.5 to 5 on 5.5 The matching 9" is 64-65" so shoot for spacing the 8.8 a bit, it is a little narrow stock then the dana 35 or 44 that came in the TJ around 58.5-59", the stock TJ axles are 60".

TEEJ · 10-13-2005, 07:33 AM

I'm running spacers back there now. WMS is around 61 in the rear now. Wheels have 4" backspacing, so I can gain there. I had planned on just selling the spydertrax I got now and get some adapters so I am aware of that. Yes it is one of the radius arm axles, (79') are they that hard to get off? Even with a plasma? I guess I could go waggy, but the HP is free, and I have access to a plasma cutter. I guess I could get a waggy and swap on the ford stuff to 5 on 5.5. Are the arms on the ford cast??

Thanks for the replies,
Matt.

TEEJ · 10-13-2005, 08:59 AM

ttt

JEEPRZ · 10-13-2005, 11:54 AM

X2 for a matching set of axles. Using wheel spacers and different backspacing to match trackwidth is ghetto. You should be able to sell your current rear axle and spacers easily.

TEEJ · 10-13-2005, 01:07 PM

May lean toward waggy then, I just got this thing back on its feet a couple months ago, and can't afford to build two axles. I'm kinda fond of the 8.8 as well, and will likely run it until I go above 37" tire. The Bronco 44 was free, but my buddy is either keeping the rear, or doesn't have it. can't remember.

10-12-2005, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
TEEJ Crane Guy Join Date: Apr 2005 Member # 45783 Location: Tucky Posts: 736	What front axle? OK, here's what I got: 99' TJ 2.5l ax5 231 8.8/d30 4:88's RE LA's up front 5.5" coils stretched to 104" SOA YJ leafs rear cell behind seats on 35's. I have a buddy that has offered to give me an HP ford 44 out of a late 70's model bronco. Should I run this axle, cut it down, change rear bolt pattern? Run this front cut down, run spacers with matching pattern, (running spacers anyway at the moment 1.5" rear.) Run it full width, and try to make up for the width differences by spacers/ backspacing of new wheels? Or just get a waggy front, and change both to 5on5.5? I have looked over this alot, and searched everywhere and found lots of good stuff, just can't come to a conlusion. This rig will see either 36" SX's, or 36" ( i guess 37") Iroks. EDIT: I want to keep the 8.8, and don't want to go 1 ton at this point, just wanna swap out the front. Thanks, Matt __________________ '84 Runner. 4D's. Last edited by TEEJ; 10-12-2005 at 02:18 PM.

10-12-2005, 04:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
TEEJ Crane Guy Join Date: Apr 2005 Member # 45783 Location: Tucky Posts: 736	I was thinking that as well. If I leave it full width, I suppose I'll keep some spacers in the back, and just run different backspacing f & r. The heep was built this last time with 37's in mind, but kinda ran outta cash before I could build a front axle. More opinions/ideas welcome..... Here is a pic of how the rig sits on 35's, only pic I got at the moment: __________________ '84 Runner. 4D's. Last edited by TEEJ; 10-12-2005 at 06:01 PM.

10-12-2005, 07:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
00pumpkin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Member # 38716 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 612	yeah i agree, dont cut it down, you will probably go full width rear eventually anyway and it will save you alot of hassle. Im in the middle of putting full widths on my TJ and got beadlocks with 5" of backspacing so its not going to be too wide................... __________________ America is all about Speed. Hot, Nasty, Badass Speed......

10-13-2005, 07:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
TEEJ Crane Guy Join Date: Apr 2005 Member # 45783 Location: Tucky Posts: 736	I'm running spacers back there now. WMS is around 61 in the rear now. Wheels have 4" backspacing, so I can gain there. I had planned on just selling the spydertrax I got now and get some adapters so I am aware of that. Yes it is one of the radius arm axles, (79') are they that hard to get off? Even with a plasma? I guess I could go waggy, but the HP is free, and I have access to a plasma cutter. I guess I could get a waggy and swap on the ford stuff to 5 on 5.5. Are the arms on the ford cast?? Thanks for the replies, Matt. __________________ '84 Runner. 4D's.

10-13-2005, 08:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
TEEJ Crane Guy Join Date: Apr 2005 Member # 45783 Location: Tucky Posts: 736	ttt __________________ '84 Runner. 4D's.

10-12-2005, 03:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Schmozilla Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Member # 38562 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 1,935	You should keep the front full width, then just buy rims to pull the front wheels in half the distance and the opisite for the rear... This is what I am doing for my full width 60. The closer the center of your tire is to the point that your knuckle rotates on the easier it is going to be to turn.

10-12-2005, 04:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
mossrocktj Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Member # 42103 Location: MA Posts: 30	Solid plan

10-13-2005, 11:54 AM	#10 (permalink)
JEEPRZ Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 784 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 1,436	X2 for a matching set of axles. Using wheel spacers and different backspacing to match trackwidth is ghetto. You should be able to sell your current rear axle and spacers easily. __________________ Think for yourself

10-13-2005, 01:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
TEEJ Crane Guy Join Date: Apr 2005 Member # 45783 Location: Tucky Posts: 736	May lean toward waggy then, I just got this thing back on its feet a couple months ago, and can't afford to build two axles. I'm kinda fond of the 8.8 as well, and will likely run it until I go above 37" tire. The Bronco 44 was free, but my buddy is either keeping the rear, or doesn't have it. can't remember. __________________ '84 Runner. 4D's.

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