1993 Ford F150 What should I do First.

Hi All,

I have recently bought a 1993 F150 and was wondering what I should do first. I am new to the whole off road scene. I have installed a ford 9 inch in the rear and 4:11 gears in the rear. I was thinking to straight axle the front end, but i don't know. would you guys install lockers first or put a lift on, i was wondering about the difference in detroit lockers vs. Ox lockers vs. Air lockers. Also I was thinking maybe some bigger tires, but would you all stick on lockers first?? what about engine upgrades? and is the stock tranny and transfer case strong enough to handle off roading?? Like i said the rear is geared to 4:11 and the front is geared to 3:55, I pulled the ford 9 inch off a 76 f150. the biggest question that i have is the stock front end a good front end or would you swap it out with the frond end of the 76?? Please give me some pointers and help.

Thanks so much.

Brandonandpeggy@gmail.com

It would be a lot od work but the 76 frond axle would give you a striaght front axle and is a much better setup than the TTB frontend on the 93.  

Also if it is going to be a daily driver a selectable (ox, arb) locker will be more streetable.  

He needs to get the gears back to the same ratio first either by the 76 axle or changing the ring and pinion.  Will the 76 dana 44 ring and pinion swap into the ttb front end?  So the gears will be the same.

THe TTB is not a very good platform for a offroad truck. It would be a a lot of work to put the 76 front axle under the 93 but you would fix the gear ratio problem and also get a MUCH better front axle than the TTB cluster fart unit.

Hi,

So I need to swap out the front end on it and regear it to 4:11. Cool.

I would definatley put the 44 under the front if you plan on doing some serious wheeling, which it seems like you want to putting lockers in and all. If you plan on eventually lifting it more, you may want to hold off on regearing before you do the lift and bigger tires. I would definatley lift it because the extended and offset radius arms can be very nice off road. So fare as lockers go, selectable lockers are very nice to have you if you drive your rig on the street alot. Im not sure which tranny you have under it, manual of auto, but I have seen both take some serious beatings off road and they hold up preety well. However, you can always find stronger pieces if you find the ones you have failing. You will probably also need a new front driveline with the sa.  

ttb d44s are not that bad unless u go 38in or bigger tire the weak spot is where the axle tapers down at the splines (called the fuse area) I mean to say look how long dana has been buildin the thing I havent hada prob wmine and if you are that skilled and wanna build a monster start w/ d 60s but 4 front on ford they are gettin hard 2 find unless u get it bilt from a gear expert.cause the pumpkin is left hand where all others are right hand xcept some newer dodges & they are clones bilt by nv (new venture)  they are supposedly strong though. hope this helps  fords4ever!!!!!  

so what you are saying is that the D44 that is on the truck is strong enough to handle say 35x12.50 thornbirds?  

Without a mechanical locker in it?  No problem.