HP 44 into a TJ Q?

[Devel]

So im looking at swapping a HP 44 out of a 79 bronco into my TJ and id like to use the radius arm suspension.

from center of the coil bucket to other center on the dana 30 is 39" and on the 44 its 44", for those that cant do math thats 5" difference

So my question is if i leave the coil buckets where they are at on both the axle and the frame am i going to have issues with coils popping out?

 

[Chevycrew]

Thats alot of mis-alignment on the coils, I would move the coil buckets out.

 

[STAG]

Not trying to sound rude at all, but have you researched into how ungreat of an axle the '78-'79 F-150/Bronco D44 is? Specifically the weak, prone to failure design of how the axle tubes tie into the radius arm axle mounts?

If you have looked into it/already know about this, and it's not a big deal to you, then okay. However if this is something that you havn't heard of, say so and I'll post up the link showing great detail of what I'm talking about.

Just thought I'd point this out.

 

[bryson]

A radius arm suspension with stock ford style arms will leave a lot to be desired in the handling and flex categories... I would strongly advise against using the stock style setup.

 

[DaveB]

The 79 Bronco and F150 axles have a cast radius arm mount in the drivers side tube that is a problem. Find a 76-77 F150 axle that has welded on radius arm mounts and cut them off ( the F250 axles up to 79 will also work but you have to work around the drivers side spring perch). This will allow you to put coil spring bucket mounts where they should be. Narrowing the axle is also advisable unless you are going full width in the back. If you want to stop by you can see the 79 F250 axle I put under my son's MJ.

 

[Devel]

please do send me the link

as far as the suspension goes i planned on using johnny joints on the ends instead of the bushings. but if its better to just weld on some brackets to match what i already have ill consider it

and im using the matching Ford 9" in the rear

 

[waynehartwig]

So my question is if i leave the coil buckets where they are at on both the axle and the frame am i going to have issues with coils popping out?

Not unless you want to end up with your pictures in the 'fail' thread on Pirate

Not trying to sound rude at all, but have you researched into how ungreat of an axle the '78-'79 F-150/Bronco D44 is? Specifically the weak, prone to failure design of how the axle tubes tie into the radius arm axle mounts?

A radius arm suspension with stock ford style arms will leave a lot to be desired in the handling and flex categories... I would strongly advise against using the stock style setup.

X2....

 

[STAG]

Here is the said link topic-ing the '78-'79 flaw. Pictures #11-#15 describe in detail of whats goin on.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44.htm


Also, this link will tell you everything you need to know about D44's.
(picture #14 is of a '78-'79 axle with the crappy radius arm tube mount. Also, If you scroll down to picture #36 and look on the left side of the screen it shows a cut-away of the crappy tube mount design.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_2.htm

And finally a link about some other good axle info... mainly helping decide which years are the years of axle to look for and which model of truck they can be found in.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html


Hope this helps some! look around his whole website, if you want a D44, it will be worth your time.