axle swap

first time on any bronco site so thanks to those who respond. this is my fourth bronco its an 85 xlt 5.8liter my other three were 88,91,93 and all were already lifted and someone elses project now im doing my own. im buying almost everything before i start stripping it down but im stuck and clueless on the axles. i would like to know what is the largest front and rear axle and can put on that is pretty much a bolt on project. wanting to put a ford sterling 10.25 in the rear and maybe a dana 44 in the front. want to go with an 8-12in lift

KEDZ 85 BRONCO said:

first time on any bronco site so thanks to those who respond. this is my fourth bronco its an 85 xlt 5.8liter my other three were 88,91,93 and all were already lifted and someone elses project now im doing my own. im buying almost everything before i start stripping it down but im stuck and clueless on the axles. i would like to know what is the largest front and rear axle and can put on that is pretty much a bolt on project. wanting to put a ford sterling 10.25 in the rear and maybe a dana 44 in the front. want to go with an 8-12in lift

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Well your 85 already has a Dana 44 in the front its just the independent front suspension.

Welcome to The Zone!

Wish I would help ya out with your axle question but I'm still learning my self. Good luck with your project and Remember that we all like to see pictures!!! And don't forget to look around the forums to see all the info this community has to offer.

yo KEDZ 85 BRONCO,

WELCOME!

Most go with a DANA 44 (from 78-79, some with 8 Lug) Axle Suspension (SAS) Conversion or Dana 60 up front;

See some Installation LINKs in my site @ http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=359

such as:

Dana 60;

Installation in an 85 (SAS) Source: by Chris C (Chris85xlt, Erika)

Installation in an 85 (SAS) Source: by Danny K (Danger Ranger)

Installation, Dana 44 leaf spring in an 85 Source: by Chris B (Blue, bronco boy)

Dana 44 Leaf Spring Parts List w/Sources & Part Numbers Source: by Chris B (Blue, bronco boy)

also,

Ford built our Broncos & other 4x4 trucks & vans with a numerically lower front gear ratio in the front Dana 44 than the rear so that off-road steering is enhanced. A Bronco built with 3.55 rear ratio would have a 3.54 ration in the front Dana 44; or; 3.08 in the 8.8 & 3.07 in the Dana 44; or 4.11 in the 8.8 & 4.10 in the Dana 44, etc..."; Following was in my MS WORD Notes and the source, Randy's Ring & Pinion has removed it from their current web site; The gear ratio in the front of a four wheel drive has to be different from the front so the front wheels will pull more. There have been many different ratio combinations used in four-wheel drive vehicles, but not so that the front will pull more. Gear manufactures use different ratios for many different reasons. Some of those reasons are: strength, gear life, noise (or lack of it), geometric constraints, or simply because of the tooling they have available. I have seen Ford use a 3.50 ratio in the rear with a 3.54 in the front, or a 4.11 in the rear with a 4.09 in the front. As long as the front and rear ratios are within 1%, the vehicle works just fine on the road, and can even be as different as 2% for off-road use with no side effects. point difference in ratio is equal to 1%. To find the percentage difference in ratios it is necessary to divide, not subtract. In order to find the difference, divide one ratio by the other and look at the numbers to the right of the decimal point to see how far they vary from 1.00. For example: 3.54 ÷ 3.50 = 1.01, or 1%, not 4% different. And likewise 4.11 ÷ 4.09 = 1.005, or only a 1/2% difference. These differences are about the same as a 1/3" variation in front to rear tire height, which probably happens more often than we realize. A difference in the ratio will damage the transfer case. Any extreme difference in front and rear ratios or front and rear tire height will put undue force on the drive train. However, any difference will put strain on all parts of the drivetrain. The forces generated from the difference have to travel through the axle assemblies and the driveshafts to get to the transfer case. These excessive forces can just as easily break a front u-joint or rear spider gear as well as parts in the transfer case.

Source: by miesk5 at Ford Bronco Zone Forums

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LIFT:

Front; see my site @ http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=739

Thanks for that info on the gear ratio. You said 78-79 dana 44 for the front what years on the rear are an easy swap for my 85. Tryin to get started on finding some axles feeling like a kid at christmas

yo k,

yw.

I don't know your level of mechanical experience, whether you have the tools needed for the swaps or have an area in which to do this. So read it all and decidie what you can do - you will need at least one helper than can be there with you a lot.

Remember that the ratio has to comply with front ratio as described previously.

Dana 60 Installation, rear in an 86

Source: by Bob K (nwbronco, Big Boy)

http://www.supermotors.net/registry/143/16616

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Some buy the Dana 60 from Sources such as our Sponsor here, Jeff's Bronco Graveyard

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/c-1002-dana-60-differentials.html

Dynatrac - 77-97 Bronco & F150 Pro 60™ HDS front & rear differentials, F series

For a YARD SEARCH on-line, I use;

http://www.mypartshop.com/

Select All Parts

year, etc, then FORD TRUCK

or

http://www.copartfinder.com

Has Vehicle Pics!

http://www.picknpull.com

http://www.car-parts.com/

Also for obsolete parts;

Our Sponsor here has been adding some to inventory; Jeff's Bronco Graveyard

and: by Ford pn:

http://www.partsvoice.com/

http://www.rearcounter.com

http://www.greensalescompany.com

GL!