Ok so the 14b and D60 / 70 are the same width as my king pin 60 front? and the 10.5 is 3" wider. Thats better, i was thinking i heard the 14b was 3" narrower than the dana axles.

Wider isnt a concern, but i dont want narrower, an inch or so is no biggie but i dont want it noticable, if anything the rear needs to be wider to make what im diong to the bed look better.

 

I'll wait for Fordworth to clarify on the sterling, but from what I remember the corp 14 is the same width (or just slightly narrower) than my front d60.

 

Did they not use 10.5's before 99? I was thinking you could get a 10.5 pre metric lugs.

 

Thats a relief, i knew the old body chevies the IFS was quite a bit wider than the rear, so i wondered if the rear was narrow, i had always thought that the front was wider, and they kept the same width rear from the solid axle days.

i think i may have said this before, but i love your sig.. "have you flown a ford lately" always makes me smile

 

Just a hint: I'm not sure if van's ever went metric. I know the E-250's & 350's were still 8x6.5 til 2009 or 2010 at least.

 

Correct you are, but as far as i know theyre all D60's

 

I swear I've heard differently but I'm not sure it was correct now.

 

We may both be right/wrong. I have heard a 100 times about D60 from newer vans being 8 on 6.5, but ive not heard one peep about the 10.5 in them. A rear from a 2006 econoline is going to be more than i want to pay anyway probably, but wont hurt to look i guess.

 

while were more or less on the subject, what would you guys recomend for a "traction aid" in the rear. Something that will handle some abuse, perform well, get decent use out of (longevity), and not snap crack and bang, if you can tell im not a fan of auto lockers. Been thinking an auburn limited slip.

 

I plan on going detroit true trac.

 

is it a clutch type or gear type?

 

From what I understand the vans used Dana 60s and 70s but no Sterlings and they did keep the 8 on 6.5 until they were discontinued.

As for the width thing, a D60 front is wider than a D60 rear, 14B, or 10.25. The 10.5, however, matches the D60 front but they are all metric.

 

Well humph... Chase said you had yours redrilled for 8 on 6.5? Where should start looking for a 10.5? 99+ one tons?

Starting to think about getting both SD axles and just throwing in..

 

The 10.5's from the '80-'97's drop in to dents, just need U-bolts toatch axle tube diameter. Spring perches, shocks, etc. all line up. Put one in my LWB '74 years ago. Driveshaft is 3.5" shorter than the 9," I have the shaft yoke swapped to match the diff yoke when the driveshaft is shortened. That way there's no conversion joint.

For 14-bolt info, poke around at Offroad Design - Fullsize Chevy GM 4x4 Suspensions, Parts and Performance, they have all the available dimensions on their site. Steve is super helpful, although they've grown tremendously and I don't know if he still answers tech questions via e-mail personally any more.

 

Thanks for the handy info sir, i didnt know the 10.5 was around that long. To be honest there isnt much at all i knew about them in the first place. Dumb question, but so im not looking for something that doesnt exsist... the 10.5 was DRW and SRW correct? I assume just start looking in 80+ 350's?