Here in the next few weeks I am getting ready to start a SAS with a 78-79 dana 44 HP axle. I am purchasing the axle housing and going to rebuild it. I have done some research on fullsizebronco.com and it seems like there are so many different variations to do this swap it's hard to really narrow down exactly what I will need. Questions for you guys are:

1. Will stock radius arms from a 78-78 f150 work with their hardware or do I need aftermarket ones?

2. Is it possible to use my existing coils, as I have a 6" lift already?

3. What hardware can I use from my existing axle?

4. How tall can you go without running into driveshaft, steering problems?

5. Any recommendations on certain parts, techniques, tools that will make this swap better and or easier?

My plans for the axle are of course 4.56 gears with a locker of some sort in it. Reason why I'm doing the swap is because I cant stand re-aligning my truck every couple months, I hate the fact that in reverse my truck dips down from the tire angle and I get people constantly telling me somethings wrong with my truck, being restricted on how high I can lift it, the durability and simplicity of a straight axle over current one and of course who doesn't like a straight axle?

Hope to get some good feedback and post a good build thread on this one. It definitely won't be a quick 1-2 week project as I want to take my time with this one and really enjoy and learn about it.

 

You can not use your existing springs. I know that.

And as far as lift. You can do about 10" of lift before you have to start re-designing your steering. About the only hardware you'll be re-using is you coil and shock buckets. Possibly the sway bar if you have one.


Everything else gets trashed.

As far as the radius arms, do some measuring.

 

this will be interesting, subscribed.

 

Wondertwin so i can use my current spring towers? and by measuring the radius arms what do you mean? I will have to order pretty much everything as I wont have a donor vehicle. Another question on the radius arms is if the stock brackets are good or will I need drop down brackets?

 

If it were me. I'd buy custom longer radius arms. And yes you can use your current spring towers.

Some people you might want to PM to get in here are fordtrucknut and 7700 in Alberta. And probably dr. Bowtie. They know more than I do about the swaps.

 

You have a point on the longer radius arms... more travel I like your style sir

 

Thank you. I try.

 

Yah id pm fordtrucknut he just did this

 

His is leaf sprung from an early 80's f350.

But he would still know.

 

1. Will stock radius arms from a 78-78 f150 work with their hardware or do I need aftermarket ones?
---- yes the stock radius arms will work, BUT you will have to find drop radius arm brackets./ or use deg bushings on the C bucshing where the radius arms mount to the axle. best and safest thing would be extended arms though.

2. Is it possible to use my existing coils, as I have a 6" lift already?
---- if money is a big concern you can run TTB coils, BUT it will ride like a brick, they have WAY to much rate to them.

3. What hardware can I use from my existing axle?
----- dana 44 pretty much all you can use is the center section( ring and pinion, and the carrier.)

4. How tall can you go without running into driveshaft, steering problems?
----- 6" your going to need brake lines, and your right at the end of the driveshaft, that is a hit or miss on what truck you have. my 91 sas f150 uses the stock shaft, and it has 6" lift

5. Any recommendations on certain parts, techniques, tools that will make this swap better and or easier?
---- good set of drill bits and a good drill, you will have to drill new holes in the frame for the radius arms, and you have to fab up a mount for the track bar.