Hello everyone. I have a question regarding swapping out the front suspension including the differential from a 1989 Ford Bronco 4 by 4 into a 1979 ford F250. Does anyone have any information regarding this swap as to whether it might be a direct bolt in or will there have to be a lot of modifications done to my 79F250.? Any help from you guys would be great. It looks like someone obviously started rebuilding this front end on the 89 Bronco and never finished it. The only difference that I do see is that my suspension has Leaf Springs and this one has coils. Both vehicles are 8 lug 4x4's. I will post pictures of what Be Bronco suspension looks like.

 

Why would you want to do this?

 

Frame widths / angles
5 lug / 8 lug
Coil / Leaf

But anything is possible if you know how to fabricate.

If you do a search you will see that the topic of 80+ / 79- front end swaps comes up regularly and that it has never been accomplished. Not even started.

 

Hey thank you for your response.

 

I just thought the truck would benefit from a newer type suspension system. And more recent equipment instead if the old 79 leaf spring suspension system.

 

 

89 Broncos used a twin I beam front axle. That axle is not factory to your 89 Bronco most likely a late 70s F150 Dana 44 with F250 8 lug outers installed. (Common upgrade). Swapping it into your F250 would be a lot of work IMHO just to gain a slightly better ride from the coil springs. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks I'll scrap this idea for now. You guys really helped.

 

Swapping a stock 1989 Bronco D44 based TTB into a 79 F250 would be a terrible idea unless you were building a pre-runner/chase-truck and REALLY knew what you were doing... And by REALLY knowing what you were doing means you have built and raced TTB's in Baja for years and just love them...

Having said that.

A coil spring solid axle can have some advantages over the leaf spring setup if done correctly. Long travel with the correct long arms can give a better ride, better handling, better turning radius, etc etc. The conversion already started on the Bronco has most of the components and brackets you would need on the F250.

Doing this right would result in a pretty great set up.

 

Well now that I bought it. What could I use from this 89 bronco, for my 79 rebuild. I already plan on using the seats. Maybe PW box, brakes booster etc..????

 

To answer your ? yes it can be done. You need to do lots of measuring. Most people do just the opposite, a SAS straight axle swap into the 80-96 Bronco and F150 trucks. Unless you want to go fast and still have 4wd, then a modified TTB front can accomplish that with turned and extended beams, via the likes of companies like Camburg and other desert vehicle fab shops. It is more complicate, but it would give you the correct steering angles and geometry that would offer you a better ride and added suspension travel. Now just the opposite and it wont gain the same type of cushy suspension that a properly prepped TTB will offer, but a straight axle with some progressive rate coils, better bushings, really good shocks can work very well if you keep the height to a minimum. Got $$$, go coilovers with long radius arms and you can get a really good ride and still go fast off-road. Do your research, maybe go to a shop or 2 and check your finance$$ so you can finish. Many projects are sold at a lose due to bad $$ and ability planning. Oh, and if you want to do it, even if it's just cause you want to, just do it. With that donor, it has most of the parts that you can graft into your truck. You would benefit from earlier truck coil towers to make your swap easier. I am doing the same thing on my 73 f250 4x4 crewcab. I maybe using a 79 D44 and swap out the knuckles off a D60 have. I want the dual piston calipers and 8 lug. It will allow me to already have the wedges and I have a set of Long radius arms for it. I don't know if I want to mess too much with adding wedges to the D60, but we will see. You will never be happy till you succeed or fail, make it your own. Off my pulpit, good luck.

 

Thank you all for your help. It's great to get positive responses from all of you. I'll Keep you guys posted on which route it go.