Ford radius arm / stock suspension question...

6BangBronk

6BangBronk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Location
Durham
Have a guy I'm trying to piece mill a 4wd drive train together for. He asked a question that I had an assumed answer (trying to show that I knew what I'm talking about :cool:) which seemed common sense to me but it would be nice to hear from someone else to at least sink with me.:flipoff2:

Before 1977, The Ford 1/2 ton dana 44 had the weld-on wedges which the radius arms were attached to the frame by a bracket that snugged up close to the frame (The threaded end of the radius arm is approximately 2" from the frame) This applied even for the Early Bronco's (for all I have seen and owned anyways). In 1978 Ford went to a drop down bracket system (threaded end of rad. arm is approx. 5" from the frame) but the axle went to a cast on wedge. I have both frames and both seem the same for 1/2 ton?The only difference I see of the radius arms is the attachment bolts onto the wedges is closer together. It seems to me the cast wedge axle would be maybe 2-3 degrees different than the weld-on wedge axle stock from the factory? The dude's buying the pieces now and I'm putting it together. I know I can always make up the difference in the bushings but would be nice to get it right the first time... For once.:rolleyes:

Thanks!
 
just buy my axle and he can be done with it all since i have the radius arms to go with it :)

I know this was no help.. just messing with you ..
 
Ken, this is a different dude than the one wanting 4.88's. That guy is still pending. I only hear from him on weekends and I'll see what trades he has.
 
I bought a HP D44 from a 77 F150 several years back. I removed it from the truck sitting in the JY. I later noticed the same thing. Seemed like the 78-79 frame side radius arm brackets had more 'drop' to them.
 
So what is your question? You can buy different degree wedges?

BTW I got my front d44 out of a 79 ford and it has weld on wedges.
 
You can buy them for $38 all day long. I just didn't want to spend $72 or $114.:flipoff2: No returns after they have been mounted.

I've decided to gamble without an answer and go with 7 degree bushings (for 6"+ of lift). The degree difference seems to me to be around 3 degrees after measuring and calculating. I'm using earlier frame mounts with a later axle (cast on wedges) with 4" lift springs. This is for someone else.

hadfield4wd, your axle was probably swapped out sometime in it's life. There was not supposed to be any weld on wedge axles installed after mid-year of 1977 from Ford. It's documented in Ford Dana manuals. I don't have these manuals but you can search them online. The weld on / cast wedge years has been covered pretty extensively on many forums. I've parted about 45+ trucks of these years and have yet to find different??? But you never knew with Ford on alot of things so I'm not saying yours was swapped for sure but the probability is pretty great. Your axle is more versitile and the tube thickness is greater than the cast wedge axle.

I have posted this question on a few sites and no answers yet. I should have an answer hopefully sometime next week to post from my personnal experience.
 
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