Axle Swaps

[cateringroadie86]

I recently purchased a 1987 Bronco that was used as a mud bogger. It is equipped with a dana 44 up front and a girdled 9inch in the rear with a 4 link set up on coil springs. I am an amateur and really don't know what I'm doing, but I want to take those axles and put them under my stock 1990 Bronco. Any advice before I dive into this project?? Before I remove the rear axle 4 link set up do I need to take measurements of sorts? I really have no clue what I've gotten myself into, I'm an amateur at all this. I'm planning on removing all suspension parts from the old truck as is and hoping it will all work out on the 90... I would like to get shock hoops for the front and rear axles, if not run coil overs. ANY input would be very helpful, this is the first rig I'm attempting to build and I want to do it right.

I tried to put some pictures up on my profile of both of the trucks. I'm still trying to figure out broncozone.com so please forgive me if I've posted in the wrong area or anything....

Thanks

 

[budster 95]

I would like to see some pics of the rear suspension.

 

[Seabronc]

"I am an amateur and really don't know what I'm doing, but I want to take those axles and put them under my stock 1990 Bronco."

This is not to be critical, but just a caution. I've seen your pictures. I would get someone you know that does know what he is doing for this job. It is not an area to make mistakes because it changes the handling and stability characteristics of your truck. I assume that those donut tires on the donor truck are not the tires that were used for mud bogging, more likely something like 45s.

I guess my main question is, what do you plan on using the green machine for once you put that suspension under it? Mud Bogging? Cool street machine? Those axles are more than likely geared much steeper than the ones in your truck. Depending on how you are going to use it when done, you may need to change the gearing.

Just some food for thought /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Good luck,

>-

 

[miesk5]

yo,

That 4 link is a tuff nut to install properly as you know now by looking @ it as well as the absence of readily availbale info in print format or via da WWW for our Full Size Broncos.

Take detailed measurements and plot it all back on the 90.

Here is a calc that I have stored in my notes for quite a long time and have never tested it;

Four Link Calculator vers 1.5 html

by: Benjamin Porter

four link pics in an 84 by battles357

"the rear is full 4 link on .75 hyem joint and sports the factory front coils. the motor is the 300 straight 6 the axils are 4:88 gear and the syder gears are welded front and rear"

89 by Solo Motorsports with a four link rear suspension and long via Off-Road Magazine

"Unlike most Broncos you see running around the desert, this one is sporting a custom built Solo Motorsports four-link suspension. You sacrifice a lot of cabin space running this type of suspension but the pay off is well worth it in our opinion. Solo chose Fox 2.5 coilovers and smooth body shocks for the rear as well as Fox 4-inch 2.0 air bumps. The rear travel measures a whopping 21 inches.

Solo enclosed the shock mounts for the four-link on either side of the rear seat. This helps keep noise and dirt out of the cabin. As we mentioned earlier, you sacrifice a little bit of room with this suspension"

 

[cateringroadie86]

I have several friends that build trucks and work in machine shops, so I'm not into this completely by myself.

The axles are geared with 5.13's previous owner ran 39 inch boggers. I'm only planning to run 36 or 38's once I get it all under the green machine... The donuts that are on the parts truck are for sale as soon as I get the axles out from under the parts truck. I may re-gear the axles for a while to run my 33's that are currently on the green machine till their bald and to save up some cash for bigger ones. I'll try to get some pictures of the 4 link on the parts truck today.

I took a look at the 4 link calculator and well, it looks like a foreign language to me, maybe some of my gear head buddies will know how to use it.

Thanks!

 

[cateringroadie86]

I would like to see some pics of the rear suspension.

I put up some pictures of the rear on my profile gallery, check em' out. It looks pretty sketchy to be honest. Drivers side spring and mount are bent. Boxed in a small section of the frame for upper 4 link mounts, one side is bent.

 

[budster 95]

After seeing those pics, you may want to consider just using the lift parts for the front suspension, and getting a new set of leaf springs to lift the rear. Again, it all depends on what your gonna do with the green machine. If your keeping it on the street, i would go with the leaf springs. That rear spring suspension could eat up expensive tires on the street. I would def. sleep on this one! good luck