Why swap a '73 front end to a '77 front end?

[DBRE]

I just bought a 1973 Bronco, and the owner told me it has a 1977 front end.

Is there a reason for this, other than the other one needed to be replaced?

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi David., welcome..!

No., not really...in approx. '72 Ford went (from the Dana 30) to the Dana 44. In '77 (or maybe even '76)they went to disc brakes.

One could put disc's on a '73+ axle & the difference would not be known fr. a '77

Of course, moving a complete '77 front axle to a '73 likely required installing a matching gear set.