So after a LOT of deliberation, advise from those that have lifted an Explorer, and research, I've decided I don't want to sink twice as much $ as the Explorer is worth into a quality long arm Skyjacker or James Duff lift. I don't want a weak $1200 Rough Country bracket lift either as they have been know to crack on the bracket and there is no performance benefit to it other than being able to fit bigger tires.
Plus, most Explorer builds online start with sinking money into TTB upgrades, then eventually go and do a SAS (Solid Axle Swap). I want to avoid spending
money twice.
So I've decided to do a solid axle swap and I bought a set of '1976' F150 axles - High Pinion Dana 44 and Ford 9 inch with 4.56 gears. '1976' because the rear end is stamped 73, and it has drums up front so it could be a 73..who knows.
The 4.56 gears will handle 35" tires no problem :-) ..and the 9 tooth pinion is massive. (well compared to the Zuk LOL)
A few thing need to be addressed;
- it has drum brakes up front, so I want to swap to discs
- one side of the Dana 44 has a broken inner and outer shaft due to a blown ujoint
- it needs radius arm pivot and C's bushings
- the coil buckets have seen better days
This time I'll make sure the coils are completely vertical, and I'll buy a Superlift adjustable track-bar instead of cutting and sleeving it to fit. https://superlift.com/adjustable-front-track-bar-66-79-ford-f150-bronco-97-06-jeep-wrangler-tj/1978/ford/f-150?fbclid=IwAR0hn_0OGMx0w__hyS-u6pHqSRcGLSjNKHfAyc9QE-xAthyAh_XmkMIalGg
It should be a relatively simple swap since there's no IFS hardware to remove from the frame.
Goal is to replace anything worn or broken, and try and keep the width as narrow as possible.
It should be a relatively simple swap since there's no IFS hardware to remove from the frame.
Goal is to replace anything worn or broken, and try and keep the width as narrow as possible.
Started to tear into the front hubs ready to swap the spindles out for disks and to remove the broken axle shafts.
These hubs have different parts to the '79 axle.
Think I'm gonna need a lower coil mount too.
More tear down. This thing is in really good shape considering it's nearly as old as me.
Only broke 1 bolt...not too bad :)
Just waiting on buddy to get the disk brakes and replacement shafts, then I'll start on the Explorer.
'C' and radius arm pivot bushings came in from Rockauto...like and idiot I only ordered 1 'C' bushing. I'm sure I'll be placing another order soon tho.
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