4x4 coversion
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4x4 coversion
Hi i have a 96 f250 2wd and i am in the process of making it 4x4. i was wondering if i could use the IFS F150 axles And just change the the knuckles so i could have coil suspension with 8 lug rims this would eliminate the need to put leaf springs under the front
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You would have to change the whole suspension in the front end and your ruining the weight carrying abilities in the front end that way. Most people are trying to go from the IFS to a straight axle with the leaf springs in the front. Just get a front end out of a 80-97 F250 or F350 it is a very very simple swap.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
Hi i have a 96 f250 2wd and i am in the process of making it 4x4. i was wondering if i could use the IFS F150 axles And just change the the knuckles so i could have coil suspension with 8 lug rims this would eliminate the need to put leaf springs under the front.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
You would have to change the whole suspension in the front end
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
You would have to change the whole suspension in the front end and your ruining the weight carrying abilities in the front end that way. Most people are trying to go from the IFS to a straight axle with the leaf springs in the front. Just get a front end out of a 80-97 F250 or F350 it is a very very simple swap.
I would say do it. F-150 TTB axles are dirt cheap and it's probably the cheapest and safest way to make your truck 4x4. You know you need a 4x4 transmission or run a divorced t-case, right?
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more on the conversion
the truck has a 351 in it so im not to worried about the weight or load carrying. i just want to do it different every one puts a straight axle under the front. i also have the trans and t case but its out of a half ton its not a zf but it came out of a half ton with a 351 in it so i think it will work
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Why is that? I hope you have a very good reason.
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Its not very easy to swap a F150 D44 from 5lug to 8lug. You have to do alot of hunting and find the exact right parts otherwise it wont work. If i remember correctly, you need the outer axle stubs, spindle, caliper bracket, hub, rotor and caliper off of a late 60's Chevy 3/4ton with a 8lug dana 44. On top of needing all the parts, you have to get the right year to have the right caliper bracket, because there are a couple designs that dont work because they hit the knuckle.
You have to make sure to get a D44 TTB that has a 6 blot spindle. The newer ABS trucks are 5 bolt spindles that wont work. You will have to trim and clearance the TTB knuckle alot to make it all fit.
I did it on my truck and i would have much rather gone with a Dana 60 and after less then a year im ready to swap a d60 in.
Also the older axle shafts from the Chevy have a weaker yoke, and im just waiting for it to break.
I wouldnt worry to much about leaf springs binding because of to much flex. I dont think it would cause any problems. unless you want crazy amounts of travel, there is enough play in the bushings and flex in the springs to let the axle move where it wants.
You have to make sure to get a D44 TTB that has a 6 blot spindle. The newer ABS trucks are 5 bolt spindles that wont work. You will have to trim and clearance the TTB knuckle alot to make it all fit.
I did it on my truck and i would have much rather gone with a Dana 60 and after less then a year im ready to swap a d60 in.
Also the older axle shafts from the Chevy have a weaker yoke, and im just waiting for it to break.
I wouldnt worry to much about leaf springs binding because of to much flex. I dont think it would cause any problems. unless you want crazy amounts of travel, there is enough play in the bushings and flex in the springs to let the axle move where it wants.
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I would think it would be just as easy to get the F250, Dana 50 TTB as it will be to get an F150 Dana 44 TTB. Look around for any of the F250 guys doing the Dana 60 SAS, and see if you can nab the TTB setup for next to nothing. It's going to preserve the weight capability of the truck and it's going to be leaf spring suspension like factory F250's have.
This is also going to get you the 8 lug outers that you want without any of the hassle of dealing with mixing and matching parts.
Also, I don't see binding being an issue with the stock leaf springs (at least I've never seen the problem in my truck).
This is also going to get you the 8 lug outers that you want without any of the hassle of dealing with mixing and matching parts.
Also, I don't see binding being an issue with the stock leaf springs (at least I've never seen the problem in my truck).
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wow
Its not very easy to swap a F150 D44 from 5lug to 8lug. You have to do alot of hunting and find the exact right parts otherwise it wont work. If i remember correctly, you need the outer axle stubs, spindle, caliper bracket, hub, rotor and caliper off of a late 60's Chevy 3/4ton with a 8lug dana 44. On top of needing all the parts, you have to get the right year to have the right caliper bracket, because there are a couple designs that dont work because they hit the knuckle.
You have to make sure to get a D44 TTB that has a 6 blot spindle. The newer ABS trucks are 5 bolt spindles that wont work. You will have to trim and clearance the TTB knuckle alot to make it all fit.
I did it on my truck and i would have much rather gone with a Dana 60 and after less then a year im ready to swap a d60 in.
Also the older axle shafts from the Chevy have a weaker yoke, and im just waiting for it to break.
I wouldnt worry to much about leaf springs binding because of to much flex. I dont think it would cause any problems. unless you want crazy amounts of travel, there is enough play in the bushings and flex in the springs to let the axle move where it wants.
You have to make sure to get a D44 TTB that has a 6 blot spindle. The newer ABS trucks are 5 bolt spindles that wont work. You will have to trim and clearance the TTB knuckle alot to make it all fit.
I did it on my truck and i would have much rather gone with a Dana 60 and after less then a year im ready to swap a d60 in.
Also the older axle shafts from the Chevy have a weaker yoke, and im just waiting for it to break.
I wouldnt worry to much about leaf springs binding because of to much flex. I dont think it would cause any problems. unless you want crazy amounts of travel, there is enough play in the bushings and flex in the springs to let the axle move where it wants.
