change direction on patrol build

[patroling rocks]

i have been working on my 67 patrol for a while now, i have a d44 and 12 bolt from a 82 blazer, a 4.3 from a 92 s10 and a 700r4 from a 88 blazer and a junky np208 that was given to me. ive been building a lift and shakels and other misc parts to put the springs on and be able to get the most amount of fes out of it. this has been sort of difficult being ive not done this type of build before. the axles need to be regeared the tranny rebuild and the tcase replaced, the 4.3 runs good so thats a plus, here is the change up, i found a guy wanting to sell his old power wagon, i was thinking of buying it junking the body, shortening the frame and putting my patrol body on top. it has stronger axles, runs good, low geared and already lifted a little. what do you guys think???? by the way he only wants 600 buck for the truck. body is rough and no title.

[NissanNut]

Sounds like an easier option. Go for it.

[patroling rocks]

i also found a later modle ford bronco, it has that wierd front axle that is split. good solid truck with a 351 and fuel injection, im not sure whick one to go with

[Jason]

powerwagon has both solid axles though right? isnt that better than the bronco,, all i know is the broncos with windsor 351s are better than the cleaveland ones

[Jason]

o i guess the power wagon is carbed.. so throttle body injection bronco would help out alot if your going to really wheel it

['Balmer]

The front axle you're talking about in the Bronco is a TTB (twin traction beam) dana 44 - it's garbage. You would need to replace it with a earlier model D44.

[patroling rocks]

well i went with the bronco, picked it up yesterday, it does have the TTB. i have to shorten the chasis a bit so i think it will get 4linked soon. it is the 351w, plenty of power with an auto c6 so that is good too. should be fairly easy to swap the body, lots of wiring to go thru. hope to start this weekend with something, pics will follow soon

[mudman]

Good motor.

[alexrex20]

the ford TTB isn't garbage, it just isn't well supported. some of the desert race trucks still use the TTB setup. if you switch to the earlier D44 front, it uses radius arms still so it's not much of an improvement, if at all. the only true upgrade would be to a linked axle, maybe a 9in to match the rear. but in that case, you'd need an aftermarket housing because i don't know of any ford vehicle that came with a front 9in from the factory. a chevy 44 would be passenger drop and any other decently strong driver drop axle is going to be under a 1ton. the ford D44s are a PITA to link because of the cast-on wedges, but a waggy 44 is a good option, but then it brings you back to the problem with your patrol frame and hardware - you need to rebuild/regear/fix/fabricate.

what were your plans for axles?

[patroling rocks]

i think im going to keep the factory ones, at least till they break, then upgrade to the best that i can afford at the time. im going to have to four link the rear to shorten up the wheel base. it has a 8.8" in there, i have a 12 bolt laying around now, i may use it, havent decided???????? i have the 78 bronco with the d44 and 9in and like the set up, put she is no rock crawler and like you said its not a big improvement to change out to that set up. i think im going to go about this as a working build, drive it till it breaks and upgrade from there, instead of how i was before and try to build it perfect and then drive it. at least this way i will know what i like about it and what i want to change before i do it. i may need some help with the rear, ive never four linked anything before, this will be new to me or i guess a 3link will work to. im ready to get it started, i hope to do some this weekend, there is a TON of wireing under the hood of that bronco, that is going to be a chore to get that situated