front end swap
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front end swap
Does anyone know if it is possible to swap an independent 3/4 ton front end with a solid 1 ton front end on an 89 F-250? If so how much remodel work is involved as far as where the springs bolt up to the frame, steering colmn length, front drive line length or what ever else might be involved. Thanks for all info. in advance.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
do a search for SAS (Solid Axle Swap) there are tons of threads on here about it. the independent front axle you have is a TTB or twin traction beam. You probably have a Dana 50 up front. I havn't looked into it for myself yet since my d50's have held up very nicely but it seems like they are pretty much a bolt in... You might have to change some steering or do a little welding but they are pretty easy to do from what i have heard. Keep in mind you need the same gear ratio front and back. I would think it's easier to do with a donor truck so you have all the parts you need. check your local craigslist for a f350 parts truck... around the midwest they are easy to find cheap!
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 267
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From: Indianapolis,In
You've got some options but all of the 3/4&1 ton 4x4 Fords are leaf sprung from the factory. Or could do what I did and keep the coil springs. I think you'd better off finding 4x4 rolling chassis and moving your truck over to it.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: South central, Minnesota
Is his truck a 2wd or a 4wd? If it's a 4wd the Dana 60 swap is pretty much a bolt in deal. You'll need to drill a few holes for the track bar bracket.
If you are doing a stock swap ( not lifted or custom brackets or anything ) your best best is to find a F350 donor truck That way you'll get all the misc brackets and hardware to do the swap.
You swap over the F350 front leaf springs ( they will bolt right in place of the F250 springs ) . You bolt in the front diff ( you'll need the U-bolts and the one spring plate ). You'll need to locate the track bar mounting bracket onto the engine cross member and drill the holes to mount it. You'll need to swap over all of the F350 steering components ( except the steering box, I believe the pitman arm is the same too ) . The steering columns are the same on both. And you'll need to swap in the F350 front driveshaft.
There's probably a few more little things I forgot to mention too.
If your F250 is a 2wd it's a whole different deal.
If you are doing a stock swap ( not lifted or custom brackets or anything ) your best best is to find a F350 donor truck That way you'll get all the misc brackets and hardware to do the swap.
You swap over the F350 front leaf springs ( they will bolt right in place of the F250 springs ) . You bolt in the front diff ( you'll need the U-bolts and the one spring plate ). You'll need to locate the track bar mounting bracket onto the engine cross member and drill the holes to mount it. You'll need to swap over all of the F350 steering components ( except the steering box, I believe the pitman arm is the same too ) . The steering columns are the same on both. And you'll need to swap in the F350 front driveshaft.
There's probably a few more little things I forgot to mention too.
If your F250 is a 2wd it's a whole different deal.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 267
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From: Indianapolis,In
He says he has the 2wd drive chassis. He could do what I did and keep the coil springs and use the conversion van front end like I did on the Bronco but the trac bar deal they use should be replaced with a single panhard bar it actually works pretty nice and the radius arms are beefy as hell.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,289
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From: South central, Minnesota
He says he has the 2wd drive chassis. He could do what I did and keep the coil springs and use the conversion van front end like I did on the Bronco but the trac bar deal they use should be replaced with a single panhard bar it actually works pretty nice and the radius arms are beefy as hell.
Where? I can't find where he said that. He said an independent 3/4 front end. That could be a TTB or a twin I-beam.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis,In
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Lead Driver
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From: South central, Minnesota
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Guess that answers that!
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Hey you guys have mentioned a TTB and a twin I beam. What is the difference, how can I tell which one I have, and will one be harder to swap than the other?
There is a lot of great info on this site. Thanks for the help.
There is a lot of great info on this site. Thanks for the help.