IFS to Straight Axle

[nmmiles]

Anybody know how hard it would be to convert a 1999 Ford Ranger 4x4 with IFS to a straight axle? I heard it could be done but can't seem to find any info on it. What all is involved when doing a conversion like that? Im assuming I would have to get ride of the torsion bars and all correct? If I do go with the straight axle I would like to lift it a little higher, right now the front has about 5" of lift. Any for warnings or insights anybody could tell me about?

Thanks,
Nolan

 

[cubby]

Well I certainly don't know everything so take this for what it worth. But beings that it is a ranger you you have to find another truck that size that has a solid axle in it then go from there but as far as I remember the small trucks that ford made never had a full front axle under them. You should be able to use something like a jeep would be your best bet. I have seen them done before but never asked how they did them.

 

[nmmiles]

yea, rangers pre 1998 had solid axles under them, but I am most likely going with a full length dana 44. Right now its got about 5-6" in the front and about the same in the rear. Its got 35's under it now and I just cant keep wheel bearings and ball joints in it more than a few months. Hoping that a sas will solve all that.

 

[bart0678]

id do dana 44s if you pan on staying under a 36 inch tire size. anything being wheeled hard over that i would do a 60 front and you have a lot of options for the rear, 60, 9in. or my fav a 14boltff. check out some of the tech and build on pirate4x4. there is a wealth of knowledge on that site.
adam

 

[adrenaline junkey]

There is a lot of good info around this forum http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64681

 

[cmantle1]

Anybody know how hard it would be to convert a 1999 Ford Ranger 4x4 with IFS to a straight axle? I heard it could be done but can't seem to find any info on it. What all is involved when doing a conversion like that? Im assuming I would have to get ride of the torsion bars and all correct? If I do go with the straight axle I would like to lift it a little higher, right now the front has about 5" of lift. Any for warnings or insights anybody could tell me about?

Thanks,
Nolan

pirate4x4.com.

 

[Rattlin_Ram]

yea, rangers pre 1998 had solid axles under them, but I am most likely going with a full length dana 44. Right now its got about 5-6" in the front and about the same in the rear. Its got 35's under it now and I just cant keep wheel bearings and ball joints in it more than a few months. Hoping that a sas will solve all that.

There was never a mid size ranger that had a solid axle from the factory... they did have TTB (twin traction beam) but no solid axle...

The full size rangers of the 70's had solid axle... but those where half ton trucks...

If you are gonna do a solid axle swap, you'll need some fabrication skills (and tools) unless there is a kit out there... a dana 44 from a jeep would prolly be a good fit...

 

[skidooer1]

There was never a mid size ranger that had a solid axle from the factory... they did have TTB (twin traction beam) but no solid axle...

The full size rangers of the 70's had solid axle... but those where half ton trucks...

If you are gonna do a solid axle swap, you'll need some fabrication skills (and tools) unless there is a kit out there... a dana 44 from a jeep would prolly be a good fit...

what he said.

 

[H2SNOW]

sooo apparently I was building 4x4s when 4x4s weren't even cool...I had a 4 wheel drive shop back in the 90s ...all I did was straight axles conversions ..for pickups and vans ..

my first IFS swap took me 6 months of planning and stockpiling ..when I was ready to swap my 95 GMC 1500 over from IFS to Straight axle Dana 60s with 5:86s Detroit Lockers , 36 inches of articulation ....

in the end I found out that shackles needed to either be built or scabbed off of somthing else ... springs needed to be ordered and built with exact tolerences ..for spring rate in y case I used Skyjacker soft ride 250 lbs per square inch bad boys that allowed me over 36 inches of articulation when finished ...not very common...

then I stuffed in a New Process 205 gear to gear T case ..bullet proof to say the least ...had my tranny done up at Thunder Alley Transmissions in Penticton with over $10 grand worth of gooddies as seen in Canadian 4 Wheel Drive Magazine ..Sept Issue

soo yeah I might know a little about 4x4s and swaps if you want the whole story PM me and I will be happy to talk .............