Solid Axle Conversion Tech

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally Posted by Brad Hall

Anybody used the torsion sway bar kit from oru, if so where EXACTLY does it mount? In the directions if you purchased the axle swap kit it says to hack off the drivers side tabs and make a template to fit around the pumpkin. But when I called them they said this is where the sway bar would mount (on the tabs) but there is no room if you cut part of the top spring plate to match up to their kit. By the way this is on a 78-79 dana 44 going to a chevy frame.

uhrm... i believe sibling does... but he isnt on much...

[chevysmithz71]

Originally Posted by Brad Hall

Anybody used the torsion sway bar kit from oru, if so where EXACTLY does it mount? In the directions if you purchased the axle swap kit it says to hack off the drivers side tabs and make a template to fit around the pumpkin. But when I called them they said this is where the sway bar would mount (on the tabs) but there is no room if you cut part of the top spring plate to match up to their kit. By the way this is on a 78-79 dana 44 going to a chevy frame.

Yeah I have one. You are supposed to bolt it through top spring plate taps. May have to weld some on. Didn't really understand the whole cutting off thing. Just go to ORU website and the pics tell all. Get back to me and maybe I can help a little better.

[chevysmithz71]

Originally Posted by Brad Hall

Also has anyone used the panhard bar (trac locator) from oru if so where did it mount on the axle top spring plate or on the axle itself?

Didn't know they offered one. I have seen most located on spring plate. Did ORU say you really needed Panhard bar? Was told to check out how the ride is then make a decision to put one on or not. Not really sure?? Maybe you can just stick it where it would fit best on your truck. Instructions are so broad for many applications. Sounds like we are doing the same thing. Let me know what your doin. Got any Pics???

[black4x4]

I have plans to do the sfa swap and was wondering if 13" with 42s or 10"s with 40s would be to much lift. and i want to link the front so i can position the axle as far foward as i want so that should help clearance issues right. and what do you think would be the better combo that i mentioned for mud and some trails and mabe some rocks.

[lukc22]

does anyone know the ford part number to the front axle that I will need?? (i.e. 79 dana 44) Thanx guys

[chevysmithz71]

Originally Posted by black4x4

I have plans to do the sfa swap and was wondering if 13" with 42s or 10"s with 40s would be to much lift. and i want to link the front so i can position the axle as far foward as i want so that should help clearance issues right. and what do you think would be the better combo that i mentioned for mud and some trails and mabe some rocks.

It depends on what you want from it. Is it a daily driver for mileage or just a here there Lets climb that sh*t? Your brackets might add to the height also. I would go with the 40s.

[96chevysfa]

Originally Posted by black4x4

I have plans to do the sfa swap and was wondering if 13" with 42s or 10"s with 40s would be to much lift. and i want to link the front so i can position the axle as far foward as i want so that should help clearance issues right. and what do you think would be the better combo that i mentioned for mud and some trails and mabe some rocks.

are you saying 10" springs, or 10 " total lift?... also are you just linking the front so you can move your axle foward? you do know that you can move the axle foward still using leafs right?

[black4x4]

10" of total lift. and yes i now i could build my own brakets and use some k5 springs and that should move the axle forward right. and i want to link it to move the axle and to help with ride.

[heavychevy]

i used 4 inch gm springs and with the brackets i built it came out to 8 inches of lift , this was on a 2x4 so 4x4 might be dif , my cost was as is , front axle 79 hp dana44 , 150 , dually adapters for frotaxle , 50 , gm front springs 100 used in perfect shape , brackets , 22 bucks worth of metal , steering , nothing i had stuff laying around , since mine was 2x4 t case was 100 bucks , front drivshaft , i had several laying around just simply cut to fit and reweld , rear consisted of shackle flip , just some time with a torch , and 4 inch blocks , i had lots of those , new u bolts , 70 , cut and rewelded shock mounts to top of axle so stock shocks fit , rear driveshaft modification , 120 , had drivshaft shop do this for balancing purpose , front never turns so i did it myself , brake lines , 3 dollars extensions from parts store , took me 3 complete days sun up to sundown , works fine i have drivin it to galveston and dallas and all over without one single problem , only problem i have now is keeping it clean

[chevysmithz71]

Sounds like you did a nice job. Feels even better doing a lot yourself. Got any pics???

[heavychevy]

i dont have any pis , i need to take some and figure out how to put them up since this is a new computer and all , i will have to get someone to show me how , i finally got the burb done and need to put some pics up of it and i started a new project last week that i hope to have done this spring , going to see what the 52 inch military tires are really made of

[Patrick Mintun]

Hi Im a new guy here, but not to offroad, or automotive. Im a 20 + year auto tech.I have a 78 K5 W/ 454,th350,205 14bff detroit locker Dana 44 trac loc 6" lift and 35-14.0 X 16 baha claws the body is getting very rough due to lots of hard core wheeling its also very rusty under all the bondo and fiberglass. Bought a 77 with bad motor and found it also has cancer. Now I bought a 93 blazer 350 tbi and I want all my running gear on the 78 with the body of the 93 should I do a axel conversion onthe 93 frame or make body mounts and use the whole 78 frame. I do want to keep the F.I.But must have the big block I have a big block throtle body and intake and also a GM adapter from Qjet to throtlebody so I could use my perfomer intake and still have the 77 to cut up for what ever has any one done a big job like this before? I want to keep the body low but would like to go up to 39'' tires maybe

[submarine]

is it possible to put 10-bolt knuckles on a 79 ford dana44 so i can still run 6on5.5 bolt pattern

[heavychevy]

yes it is possible

[playboy]

does anyone have any dimensions of some brackets? Im getting them made and I need as best of an idea as possible. Pics would be awsome!

[lukc22]

Will a 98 Dodge Front axle work?? It is a drivers side diff ... are the measurements too far off?

Thanx guys

[black4x4]

It would work but you would need to link the front and those dodge axles have a weaker axle dezine.

[bggrnchvy]

The dodge axles use unit hubs which suck and they are setup for coils and links, easy enough to weld on a set of perches, but you still have unit hubs. Unit hubs hate tall and wide tires, they wear out fast and are avaliable at the low low cost of $300 a side. Replacing those about every 15,000 miles gets old fast.

[playboy]

anyone have any bracket plans?

[lukc22]

Thanx for the info on the dodge axles ... I noticed that the new f350 trucks also have driver side diffs ... what would be the complication of using one of these axles?? Also, is an NP205 or NP241 better?? Differances??

Thanks alot guys !!