What are the best military or other axle swaps for a 1960 F500?

 

What is your goal? Front or rear? In medium trucks, axle swapping is not that hard, as rears are easy to swap since frame widths (hence spring positions) are fairly standard over the years. Fronts can be more complex, as you have to consider steeering.

 

James....maybe ask on the large truck site for more answers. I have a whole fleet of trucks all 53-71 and some big trucks left. Good luck.

 

What are you planning to use the truck for? Do you want it to be able to keep the same payload as it currently can, or do you just want it for a daily driver and a normal axle could work?

What is it about the current axle that you don't like?

 

Current axle has the 5 hole "widow maker" wheels on it. Brake wheel cylinders are hard to find and expensive. Would use as a medium hauler. Would like to change front hubs to compatible if possible (4x2). Possibly interested in going to a single wheel and get rid of duals on the rear.

 

To get something with more common wheels and brakes, look at anything after about 1980 as a doner. Front and rear axles from an F600 should fit your springs. Anything heavier, such as an F750, may be more difficult. And you do not have to look only at Ford, there are alot if IH mediums out there. You can also look at axles from retired school busses, just watch as some started going to disc brakes in the 80s, and some did have air brakes, and demountable rims. Keep an eye out at yards and for parts trucks that have wheels and brakes you are comfortable with.

To go with singles on the rear, you might need special wheels so the offset is close.

And, depending on how much work you want to do, capacity wise you could swap in axles form something as modern as the 2000 and up F450 and F550, which gives you current production wheels and the latest brakes