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Old 11-10-2012, 02:34 PM   #1
yossarian19
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Good beam front axle candidate?

So, I looked at my front axe (1957) and notice the kingpings are shot and / or the hole in the axle itself is worn egg shaped. I haven't torn it down yet to verify but am thinking ahead.
I want to keep the factory 5,000 lb GVRW and ride height, so IFS kits are out.

Thinking of putting a beam axle from a Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee under the truck, then matching lug pattern by using a Ford 8.8 rear axle. Kind of franken-car, I know, but I'd be gaining disc brakes, tapered bearings & ball joints in one shot.

Any other good beam axle candidates people can think of?
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Old 11-11-2012, 03:06 AM   #2
andrewmp6
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Re: Good beam front axle candidate?

I don't think the 2wd straight axle from a Cherokee would be up to that much of a load on it.
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Old 11-11-2012, 08:16 PM   #3
yossarian19
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Re: Good beam front axle candidate?

The Cherokee (XJ) suspensions are rated between 4700 - 4900 lbs GVWR depending on vehicle configuration.
I think the ZJ / Grand Cherokee with the same suspension / brakes in front (but other changes elsewhere) is rated to 5,300 GVWR.
WJ, the updated Grand Cherokee from 99-2004, has a GVWR of 5700 lbs. Twin piston brakes, 305mm rotors.
Hmm.
I have a Cherokee, is the main reason I thought of this particular family of suspensions. I also have WJ steering knuckles sitting in a box under my work bench. I think I'm quickly talking myself in to a XJ / WJ bastard beam axle + Explorer 8.8 or Dana 44a...
Not too many load-rated options out there for a Task Force owner, aside from a fully custom IFS or C10 adaption. I might have stumbled on a good one.

EDIT: More info
The XJ & ZJ front beam axles should be identical, as they use all of the same parts in 4wd versions I can't think of any needed changes with the 2wd versions. Set up for 4-link + Panhard & sway bar at the factory. Single piston brakes. Unit bearing construction w/ a dummy stub & axle nut. Ball joints upper & lower. About 60" wide. 5x4.5 bolt pattern, could use WJ hubs to get 5x5. Set up at factory to steer in front of axle, though I cant see a reason not to chop all the mounts off, flip it side for side & weld new mounts on at the proper caster angle. Basically, just turn it 180' and steer it from the rear.
The WJ axles should be ~62" wide. 4-link + panhard & sway bar again but with larger control arm bushings & a bend in the LCA to clear larger tires. Twin piston brakes, ball joints, dummy stubs, etc.

Last edited by yossarian19; 11-11-2012 at 08:24 PM. Reason: thought of more info to include
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Old 11-12-2012, 04:24 AM   #4
andrewmp6
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Re: Good beam front axle candidate?

If your sure it will work go for it.Look for a Comanche in a junkyard they was more 2wd made then 4x4,Or get on a forum see if anyone is doing a 4x4 swap close to you and buy the axle off them.As far as ifs most never rate them for load because of the price and liability.Most ifs kits are off the shelf pieces and i have seem many mustang 2 kits live under a blown big block drag racing for years.
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Old 11-12-2012, 08:03 AM   #5
cdowns
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Re: Good beam front axle candidate?

i'd check to see if bushing rebuilding kits are available to fix what you have
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