Stretching the front

[Pedestrian]

I am in the planning stages of building a crawler.
I would like to move the front axle as far forward as possible.
Has anyone stretched their front? What are the limiting factors?

 

[camomog]

If you push it more than about 4 inches you will have to pinch in the front clip or cut a lot on the grill, also you will need to switch to a front swing pitman arm and box instead of the factory steering box.

 

[Pedestrian]

Ok, good info. I was already anticipating dovetailing the front clip.
I have the steering gear out of a 78-79 Fullsize Bronco, forward facing pitman.

 

[camomog]

There are several guy's over on norcalbroncos.com that have done it.

 

[KyleQ]

I pushed mine forward over 6" - cut the grill and never though twice about ditching the steering box too.

 

[redline8300]

I'm in the process right now with a 3.75" stretch. I did the 4x4x2 steering conversion at the same time. I had to notch the front mount for the box and the only issue I have right now is with the steering. I installed the BC Broncos TRO Heim sterring and even after installing the trac bar riser bracket on the axle housing the drag link bolt is close the the trac bar bolt on tight right handers. But that may be from only moving the box forward 3.5" so I'd still have most of the front mount.

 

[gbbronco]

Are you keeping the 44 or going with a 60

 

[Pedestrian]

Are you keeping the 44 or going with a 60

Going with a full width 44

 

[av8rds]

I'm in the process right now with a 3.75" stretch. I did the 4x4x2 steering conversion at the same time. I had to notch the front mount for the box and the only issue I have right now is with the steering. I installed the BC Broncos TRO Heim sterring and even after installing the trac bar riser bracket on the axle housing the drag link bolt is close the the trac bar bolt on tight right handers. But that may be from only moving the box forward 3.5" so I'd still have most of the front mount.

Any pictures of this?

 

[ford man]

Moved mine 2" forward, the steering box and front fenders was left in the original place.I then moved the rear back 6" alot of play room in the back.

 

[Nightstick]

I say you just do a full hydro setup up front.

 

[Scoop]

I guess I'm too conservative. I only moved mine forward 1 inch. I plan on moving the rear back an inch as well.

 

[shamu]

I am about 6 inches foward on my build.

 

[NateMob]

Moved mine 2" forward, the steering box and front fenders was left in the original place.I then moved the rear back 6" alot of play room in the back.

What fuel tank are you running? i thought much more than two or three inches and the rear end is all up in your gastank when stuffed.

 

[Apogee]

I moved mine forward about 1.5" when I installed my CAGE arms...pretty simple. If you start looking to move more than that, it gets a bit more involved, especially if you're trying to maintain a more conventional steering gearbox and draglink configuration. Full hydro solves the issues associated with the steering box, but isn't cheap and can be a bit sketchy at speed if not done well. For a crawler, hydro rules, just look at KyleQ's rig.

 

[68 Broncoholic]

I only went 1" forwards with the cage arm install which works without having to move the towers and trac bar stuff forwards. I plan to go 3" more some winter when I'm board. I went 5" in the back but had to move the cross member back and put the gas tank above.

 

[ford man]

What fuel tank are you running? i thought much more than two or three inches and the rear end is all up in your gastank when stuffed.

Propane bottle is in the back with rear seat

 

[ford man]

Here is a few pic of big red I started with 44"boggers I have since droped down to 39.5s.