fiftyfordfloored Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 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: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Good luck fiftyfordfloored! I look forward to watching your progress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Yep, good luck! I'm along for the ride, and it looks like it'll be a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford F834 Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiftyfordfloored Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 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? 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve83 Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 ...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: https://supermotors.net/getfile/766014/thumbnail/22snapring.jpg It works great, and is essentially free. This isn't free (the drill & tap cost me ~$35), but it's a good mod: https://supermotors.net/getfile/766016/thumbnail/24beamhole.jpg This makes alignments easier & cheaper: https://supermotors.net/getfile/843080/thumbnail/cambercammoog.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiftyfordfloored Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 ...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: https://supermotors.net/getfile/766014/thumbnail/22snapring.jpg It works great, and is essentially free. This isn't free (the drill & tap cost me ~$35), but it's a good mod: https://supermotors.net/getfile/766016/thumbnail/24beamhole.jpg This makes alignments easier & cheaper: https://supermotors.net/getfile/843080/thumbnail/cambercammoog.jpg 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve83 Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 ...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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiftyfordfloored Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 ...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. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve83 Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 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. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts