[AZFord4x4]

I'm borrowing this idea from Mo over there in the Jeep forum to stimulate some more tech/conversation & such here. I can't think of much right now, but a popular topic on here seems to be Early Bronco front axles, so let's start with that. What do you know about them, what can be done to modify them. How do you put disk brakes on the older ones, shaft/u-joint sizes, etc etc...

I'll be making another sticky thread to index these topics for easy reference. I would really like to hear from you about what topics you would like to see covered... feel free to e-mail suggestions to me @ [email protected] if you have anything you'd like to see as a topic of the week. I/we'll probably update it sometime over/around the weekend, nothing very strict, & feel free to add at a later date if you so wish. I know next to nothing about Early Bronco's, so let's get the tech rolling.

 

[Doug K]

What you wanna know?

I think the best option shy of installing a D60 is Warn Shafts and CTM U-joints...

Doug

 

[CJ5-Man]

best option for what? he was asking what the stock u joint sizes are and how to put disc brakes on there, cack :flipoff2:

good old 260's.

 

[Doug K]

yes bitch...I see that now...

I put chebby disc brakes on my EB... using stock 71-75 D44 drum braked knuckles I used pre-76 chebby blazer spindles and Chebby backing plates and calipers with ford D44 Hub assemblies.

I also have kept my stock 260 u-jointed shafts for trail spares...they seem to be in good shape. But they neck down like a bitch.

Eb's also typically have thicker diff covers than jeeps axles.


Doug

 

[welndmn]

66-71 Were Drum brake king pin Dana 30 axles with 27 spline inners and 260x axle u-joints
These Dana 30 are best suited for kaber tossing.
Late 71-77 were ball joint d44's with 260 u-joints as well.
beging in late 75 Disc brakes were optioned, on 76,77 discs were standard.
To get discs on your drum brake axle, you can either.
-Buy a kit $$$$$$$$$$$
- get some Early style small bearing 6 bolt spindles from a Chevy front D44, you need the spindle, claiper, and claiper mount (there are also found on the early year Grand waggy's, then just get a hub and rotor combo from a 78-92 Fullsie bronco/pickup.
-you can also rob the kunckles,spindles,claipers,clapier mount, hub and rotor from 78/79 picks-ups and bronco. but the chevy floating style is a better style IMO

 

[Digger5]

Are the EB 44's high pinion?

 

[Poofey]

Are the EB 44's high pinion?

no

 

[Flatty]

I say swap in a full width RC 44 out of a F150. They are readily available in the yards, and for theprice you can't go wrong. Hell get the BB 31 spline rear while you are at it.

Dimitri

 

[Poofey]

66-71 Were Drum brake king pin Dana 30 axles with 27 spline inners and 260x axle u-joints
These Dana 30 are best suited for kaber tossing.
Late 71-77 were ball joint d44's with 260 u-joints as well.

Your off by a year. 1970 had the dana 44, I have seen build dates of 1/1970 and later with the 44. ...and yes these were 1970 models.

 

[Mr.N]

I say swap in a full width RC 44 out of a F150. They are readily available in the yards, and for theprice you can't go wrong. Hell get the BB 31 spline rear while you are at it.

Dimitri

Ok, Enough talk about a F150 axle swap, lets save it for another TOTW!

 

[Mr.N]

U100, or commonly called an Early Bronco. It ran from mid 1971-1977. All years of this axle had the 5-260x u-joint. According to Spicer it never came with a 297 u-joint. This axle is low pinion and had drums until 75, then like all Ford 4x4 front axles went to disk.

 

[Nobody]

Although the big N will disagree,

Cheby short axles are a direct replacement for the EB 44 short axle. The cheby axle uses the larger 297x joint. These axles are the exact same length. Warn axles are the same part #

The short axle from later FS fords can be used as well, but in some cases (locker) you may be required to cut up to 1/2" off the splines.

I converted my 74 drum axle to disc using cheby flat tops knuckles and 8 lug outers.

The EB radius arms are the same length as the full size, however the holes on top, that the coil plates mount to are spaces slightly different. Arms are otherwise interchangeable

 

[Hillbilly]

Does anyone know the weight of a frt 44 axle? either with disc's or drums, just need a ball park figure?

 

[Mr.N]

Although the big N will disagree,

Cheby short axles are a direct replacement for the EB 44 short axle. The cheby axle uses the larger 297x joint. These axles are the exact same length. Warn axles are the same part #

You asked for it ...
Note for the Early Bronco's, It's a common swap to use an F150 short side shaft to replace the EB shaft. This is to increase the u-joint from a 260 to a 297. The EB shaft is 18 5/16" and the F150 shaft is 18 5/8 to 29/32". Thus it's common for the F150 shaft to be trimmed to fit on the pumpkin side. However the Chevy Dana 44 shaft is 18 1/2" so it would work much better as an inner shaft than the F150. Also a Dodge W100 from 1972.5 - 74 with B.O.M. 603413 has the exact same length axle shaft but with a 297 u-joint! (I'm not sure on the grove in the spline, yet)

 

[Mr.N]

Your off by a year. 1970 had the dana 44, I have seen build dates of 1/1970 and later with the 44. ...and yes these were 1970 models.

Ok, lets see some number to back your claim up.

Here are my numbers:

Sure, I was saving this for my article. Someday I'll update it.

 

[Poofey]

Guess I am wrong . I know I had a '70 w/ the 44, must of had the 30 swapped out before I got it.

 

[IronBenderII]

I agree. Warn's/CTM's and Chevy disc brakes. Not as beefy as a 60 but they hold up, they're light and they have great ground clearance!

-Jack

 

[bent70]

What is the spread of the c-bushing mounts on the eb axle? Center to center.

 

[John Deere Ranger]

and had drums until 75, then like all Ford 4x4 front axles went to disk.


From my understanding int 76 it was an option to get discs.... but some 76's had drums......


Also as a side note ..... all of the Early Bronco front Axles are the perfect width for SAS Ford Rangers/Explorers/BII

 

[AZFord4x4]

Ok, Enough talk about a F150 axle swap, lets save it for another TOTW!

Thanks Mr. N