Replacement front and rear axle

[Hollywood Dave]

I'm interested in a wider stance on my grand wagoneer (1988 & 1990) and have talked to a local 4x4 dealer here in town...he said that I could use the axles from a 1979 Ford F150 wide track front and rear axle and still maintain the 5 lug stock wheels. This would make the front and rear wheels the same width. Is there a reason that the front wheels are originally wider than the rear? and would this set up affect anything else?

[Hollywood Dave]

This is in place of any type of spacer and wider wheels. Again I like the sotck wheels and would like to stick with them.

Thanks!!!

[TexasJ10]

Theory has it that if the axles are of different lengths they will not run in the same ruts. I think most ford trucks ran just fine with equal width axles and it shouldn't be a big concern. I have a Ford Dana 60 from a 1979 350 that I am planning on putting in my J-10. I am considering a Ford dana 70 rear. In either case the axles will be equal width axles. The nice part about the 1979 ford front axles are they are driver side drop, the spring perches are at 32" like out Jeeps,and they come spring over, (at least teh dana 60 is). The rear axle is s delima for a j-10. The frame is wider than any other production pickup. This means the spring pads will have to be moved no matter which axle I choose. I think there are good options for the wags because the frame is narrower in the rear. The Ford axles are really wide in relation to the wags. I think the Dana 60 I have is 69" between wheel mounting surfaces. I will be running new 8 bolt wheels with an additonl 1" of backspacing which will bring the tread width near stock. I'm not sure how wide the Ford 150 axles are.

[Bob Barry]

Well, your stock rims are 6-lug, so those 5-lug F-150 axles wouldn't let you use them. Plus, the front axle used coil-springs, which would be cool to retrofit, but it's far from a bolt-on.

OTOH, a set of axles from a leaf-sprung F-350 would do the trick. You WILL have to modify the wheelwell openings, or go with a heck of a body-lift. You'll also be running 8-lug 16" rims with those axles.

If you just want wider axles, grab a set from an '80-'83 Wide-track 2-door Cherokee: they'll bolt right on, and widen your stance. Add 4" lift springs, a 3" body lift, and you can run 33" tires.

[Hollywood Dave]

Jeep Doc...thanks for the info!! My bad on the 5 lug. You're right. I was also told that I could use the axles from a 78-79 F250. Any truth to that?

[Bob Barry]

The pre-TTB (Ford's IFS) F-250 axles (up to '79) would work, but would still require a switch to 8-lug rims.