Did all the 83-86 F-250's come with 8 lug wheels and Dana rear ends, or could you also get the 9" rear end and the 5 lug wheels? Thanx, E.J.

 

All 83-86 F-250's either got the Dana 60 rear end or the Sterling 10.25" rear end. Ford never put a 9", 5 lug axle under their 3/4 tons. If they did, it would have been a heavy half ton, not an F-250.

 

OK, thanx for the info, E.J.

 

The 10.25 didn't come till about 85.

 

my 84 has a 9 in, 8 lug. MArk my words!

 

F&E 150's came with either Ford 9" or Ford 8.8 (starting in 83)
These were designated 1/2 tons, all 5 lugs, all semi float axles
F&E 250's & 350's were designated as 3/4 & 1 tons and came with
Ford 8.8 8 lug 83 up (semi float)
Dana 60 8 lug (semi & full float)
Dana 61 8 lug (semi & full float)
Dana 70 8 lug (semi & full float).....(semi 83 only)
Dana 80 8 lug (semi & full float).....88 up
Sterling 10.25 8 lug (semi & full float)
Between the years from 80 to 90, Ford never put a full floater Dana 60 in a pick-up!
Vans yes, Pick-ups no
Steve G.

 

Here is a list right from the Ford catalog:
Dana 60-3 5300lb semi-float
Dana 61-2 5300lb semi-float
Dana 61-1 6250lb full-float
Dana 60U 6250lb semi-float
All Dana 60 models are 9.75 ring rear available std or locking.
Dana 70U 6300lb full-float 10.5" ring rear
In Feb 85 started the Ford (Sterling) 10.25
5300lb in semi-float
6250-7400-8200 lb in Full-Float
Also they list a 8.8 Ford axle with 4500lb rating for 83 F250's which I have never seen in anything, as the standard 8.8 F150 axle is 3750lb and the 9" were 2800 or 3750lb axles.
Hopefulley that answers any questions.
I just did some more research and there was a package from 83-85ish that was a F250 2wd 6900 GVW. 8.8 semi-float rear with 8 lug, single piston 1/2 ton brakes on the front and they were mostly 300 6 with 4 speeds and no options.....

 

WOW, thanx for all the info guys. I had no idea there were so many differant combo's avalible. Thanx alot, E.J.

 

Around 87 or 88, I changed out a blown 8.8 semi floater w/ 8 lugs in one of my companys service vans, an 85 E250 w/302 and aod.
I replaced it with a Dana 61 full floater from an 81 E350 after speaking to a Ford mechanic at a local dealership.
He stated that it was another one of Ford's mistakes at trying to cut costs. The 8.8 was not heavy duty enough of a rear to serve duty in a 3/4 ton service van.
I've only seen a handful of the 8.8 8 lugs over the years.
Kind of like one of my trucks; 83 F350 4wd, 4 door, 460, auto, a/c, single gas tank (19 gal.) Dana 70 semi floater (1 year only rear)
Ford made some mistakes!
Steve G.

 

Since we are on this topic (lots of good info here, should be writtin up for a tech article), correct me if i'm wrong but I take it that the dana 70's (full float) were in the 1 tons trucks, correct? If so they would be the ones with the highest axle weight rating till the 10.25 came out correct? (i'm looking for a 70/70U-which were in vans- for my 81)

 

The 70's were mostley used in 1 tons, but some 8800GVW 250's with the towing or camper package also used the 70. It was the highest rated axle SRW used, as they were 6300lb for the SRW and the 10.25 was 6250lb for the SRW. The higher rated 10.25's were for DRW and chassis cabs.

 

Cool, thanks.

 

my 86 f250 light duty came with a sterling 10 1/4" rear end.

 

85 1/2 was the change over point (production year) when Ford stopped using Dana/Spicer rears and switched over to Sterling rears for all their 3/4 and 1 ton pick-ups.
At that exact same time they started installing the Dana 60 monobeam front axles in the F350's only.
As 7K42S stated in an earlier post, that change over point was Feb. 85
Steve G.

 

Ihave a Dana 70 out of a 84 f250hd 35 spline axles. Would this axle be better suited for a stock class sled pulling truck. Or would you go with a sterling axle? Was there any weak links in the dana 70?