Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

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My427stang
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Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by My427stang »

My old front axle has seen a lot of battles and with the new 445 I could use a bit more braking than the stock front drums

I am considering building a full dent front end and swapping, do the front control arms bolt up and are they the same width overall?

No worries on steering, because I am already running a dent steering box and tie rod assembly, just wondering about the axle housing itself. Thanks
71 F-100 SB 4x4, 461 FE, Edelbrock Pro-flo 4, 4 speed, 4 inch softride lift, all poly bushings, integral PS, most mods installed since the 80's
70 Mustang Sportsroof 489 FE, EFI, TKO-600 5 speed, 4.11s
Engine building by-appointment only--30+ years, specializing in strong street pump gas FEs
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HIO Silver
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Re: Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by HIO Silver »

It'll bolt on.. except for maybe the spring cups. But that depends on what year your source the Dana 44.
cep62
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Re: Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by cep62 »

It'll bolt in, but you also need the dent diagonal locating bar.
While you have it apart put in polyurethane bushings.
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Re: Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by HIO Silver »

cep62 wrote:It'll bolt in, but you also need the dent diagonal locating bar.
While you have it apart put in polyurethane bushings.
Colloquially, a "track bar". Technically speaking, it's called a panhard bar.

2x.. poly bushings.
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Re: Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by My427stang »

Thanks guys!

I agree on the poly bushings, I have run them since the mid 80s, they really work well.

Going to go hunting in the junkyard now, will rebuild a later front end and do the swap over the winter
71 F-100 SB 4x4, 461 FE, Edelbrock Pro-flo 4, 4 speed, 4 inch softride lift, all poly bushings, integral PS, most mods installed since the 80's
70 Mustang Sportsroof 489 FE, EFI, TKO-600 5 speed, 4.11s
Engine building by-appointment only--30+ years, specializing in strong street pump gas FEs
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shybutpsycho
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Re: Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by shybutpsycho »

Will the dent track bar bolt to the 67-72 frame? Come spring I'm putting 1978 Bronco axles under my 69 F100. I know welding is required on the rear end (spring perches/shock mounts), but was hoping the front axle is truly "bolt on".
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Re: Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by cep62 »

shybutpsycho wrote:Will the dent track bar bolt to the 67-72 frame?
Yes
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Re: Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by shybutpsycho »

Thanks, time to order a dent adjustable track bar and plan this axle swap.
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Re: Will a dent front axle bolt into a bump 1/2 ton's radius arms?

Post by stldesign »

We are putting a 1978 dana 44 into a 69 f100 the 78 track bar doesn't fit. the angle of the ends aren't right. We have ordered a super lift adjustable track bar that will allow for some misalignment.
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