I have a 78 ford f150. I keep snapping axle shafts (i have 42 inch tires and a 460) . I bought a set of 1 ton axles dana 60 front dana 80 rear. The front axles have leaf spring perches and the truck has coil springs. Trying not to hack the truck too much as it was passed down to me from my father in law and is kind of a family heirloom. Any suggestions?

 

So you're running 42s on a Dana 44? Well no kiddin' axles be snappin' Didn't ya do your homework on a solid axle swap before obtaining the one-ton running gear?

It's almost too late to factor in the sentimentality... Adapting a D60 front axle will require boxing the frame and welding on front hangers and installing swing shackles in sleeves as rear mounts...... then ya gotta figure out the steering.

 

Did my homework. Been searching for a 78-79 dana 60 with no luck. Searched for over six months just for a dana 60 period. If i live in the northeast i may be able to find one, but in south Texas they are impossible to find. No snow fighter axles here. Was wondering if i could mount square tubing on top of the axle and use that as a radius arm and mount the coil spring over that. Just an idea.

 

Read this: my straight axle swap thread - Page 9 - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

 

Thanks. That is what I was looking for. I really wanted to keep the coil springs and this should work great.

 

Post a build thread cuz your fellow FTE'ers will appreciate it.