Got to thinking about the front suspension on my '95 f250 2wd NON-dually...all the bushings are worn out and the whole setup needs to be gone through. So why not invest in a solid beam axle off an super duty? Maybe something off an old cab and chassis truck? Anybody have any sugestions other than rebuilding the twin beams? What trucks would be good to look for at a salvage yard? What about bolt patterns and overall width?

The other reason for the swap would be to redo the k-member for better engine access.

 

I would say rebuild the twin-beam. I am not sure the spacing is going to line up to do a super duty solid axle swap.

 

^I agree-why spend a lot of time & effort to go back to what Ford got rid of in 1964? Just replace the bushings/ball joints as needed.

 

go to www.dynatrac.com they make the solid axel to the specs of ur truck, its pricey but at least u know u got a all new solid axel .when i called bout my truck the guy i talked to gave me a price of 5400(n mine is 4x4 so urs should be alot cheaper), which when u think bout it is the price i would pay to goto the junk yard n get my solid axel i need n rebuild the whole thing with new parts. but if u really want to go the junk yard way think its a early 70's model that will fit. but be sure to measure n compare center to center of ur leaf spings n the when ur getting from the junk yard. happy hunting

 

^^??The OP has a 2WD truck, Dynatrac makes 4x4 axles. Also he's got coils not leafs.

 

yeah I know rebuilding is the easiest and cheapest route. And I also know the twin beams are proven technology. But it's also the most boring...I'm gonna hit up the salvage yard down the road, hopefully hes got something I can measure. On a positive note, I went on ebay and found a late model 450/550 complete setup, the axle looked to be tubular. Which would be easy to make width adjustments. Were the older f-super duty i'beam or tube?

I have'nt decided if I want to try and use the coil springs or what...Once the trailing arms and brackets are off theres plenty of room for mounting leaf springs. Maybe hit up some of the extreme 4x4 fab shops that keep popping up on the web. Somebodys gotta have some sweet universal mounts.

I stared at the k-member last night on the hoist. I think I've got a plan for a bolt-in section that would allow the oil pan to drop right out! Figure once the beam pivot brackets were gone a could cut out the center of the member to gain the much needed clearance. Then with a trimmed down center section from another member, I could bolt it right to the original with plenty of overlap. Using appropriate hardware of coarse.

Why buy the truck you want when you could build one for twice the price!