86 to 87 4x4 Swap

[fiftyfordfloored]

So before I start work on the '83 or '81, I'm using the '86 for my 4x4 conversion to make use of all the spare parts I don't need.  First step, renew the front axle and swap that under the 87.  I figured I'd document the swap as most of the same parts apply to the '80-86 as well.  The road so far...

Victim:

Donor:

[Ferdinand]

Good luck fiftyfordfloored!
I look forward to watching your progress!

[Gary Lewis]

Yep, good luck!  I'm along for the ride, and it looks like it'll be a good one.  

[Ford F834]

I recently did this swap but did not rebuild the axle. It works fine but has noise and vibration at higher speeds. I’m interested to learn the rebuild process for future reference and I look forward to your updates... will you be transplanting the twin shocks and sway bar?

[fiftyfordfloored]

I'm not touching the third-member other then new inner axle seals and fluid.  New joints and bushings and balljoints and the like I'm doing.   Not swapping the quad shocks, and my truck already has a swaybar.  I'll be using which ever one is the larger diameter but that's about it.

[Steve83]

fiftyfordfloored wrote

...new inner axle seals and fluid.

While you have the passenger shaft out, I highly recommend swapping to a homemade spring retainer in the axle's inner groove:



It works great, and is essentially free.

This isn't free (the drill & tap cost me ~$35), but it's a good mod:



This makes alignments easier & cheaper:

[fiftyfordfloored]

Good advice, but why the home made retainer clip vs the stock one?  My stocker is in good shape, but just in case it goes "ping" and is never to be seen again... I have another on order with my coil spring bolts.

[Steve83]

fiftyfordfloored wrote

...why the home made retainer clip vs the stock one?

Because you have to get inside the diff to pull that shaft with the factory clip.  But with the homemade one, the shaft pops out & back in like a modern CV shaft in a transaxle.

[fiftyfordfloored]

I thought that the stub axle was supposed to be fixed because of the spline drive the outer axle slides in and out of slightly as the passenger side travels up and down.  I'd be concerned about yanking the stub out of the carrier.

[Steve83]

It is, and that spring clip accomplishes it.  It won't get pulled out while driving unless something happens that would have ripped the factory clip off, too.

[fiftyfordfloored]

So now is the perfect time to modify since everything is apart...  Considering a 2 inch lift kit (nothing crazy).  Any thoughts?  Alignment nightmare?  Does anyone have any pictures of a mostly stock truck on 31's with a 1.5-2 inch lift?

[Steve83]

IDK why you'd lift a truck for a stock tire size - it's cheaper, easier, and rides & handles better at stock height.  I run 33s with no lift.

[fiftyfordfloored]

That's true.  I'm on the fence.  I was thinking F250 springs because I do like to put this truck to work.  That and I also like the lifted look that looks factory.  If I put F250 badges on it, no one would know the difference at a glance.

[PetesPonies]

Not the way to get rid of the C-clips. There are ways to convert an 8.8 to hold an axle like a 9" does. That is safe and even race ready. Doing it the way suggested here is asking for trouble.

[fiftyfordfloored]

I just put in a new factory c-clip and put the axle stub back in with a new seal.  I'm not really worried about the thing pulling out; my 4x4 needs are that of a daily driver to get me to work in the snow.

[Steve83]

PetesPonies wrote

There are ways to convert an 8.8...

We're not talking about the 8.8" C-clips; we're talking about the 1 E-ring in the D44IFS.

[PetesPonies]

Are you doing a 2wd to 4wd swap? I know on the earlier trucks the frame is different and this cannot be done.

[fiftyfordfloored]

1979 and prior it's a real pain and usually requires a frame graft/swap or a lot of welding.  1980-86 trucks just swap over, and '87-96 swap as well (bolt on).  Sway bar setups change from '86-87 and so do the radius arms for some reason.

[Steve83]

'80-96 (& '97 >8500GVWR) are essentially the same truck, so most parts swap between them.