Front Axle Swap Options - Help!
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From: Willard
Front Axle Swap Options - Help!
I need to do a axle swap on my Highboy so I can dependably run 44" tires. It currently has a low pinion dana 44. I was planing on swapping over to a '78 or '79 high pinion Dana 60 front axle, but these are becoming hard to come by. Can I swap in axles off of a newer superduty? What would be the advantages or disadvantages of doing this? Any other axles that would work well for this type of swap?
The truck with see some rock crawling action but will also be driven on the street. This is my first 4x4 build, so I don't know all the in's and out's yet.
The truck with see some rock crawling action but will also be driven on the street. This is my first 4x4 build, so I don't know all the in's and out's yet.
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a newer super duty dana 60 can be swapped in but the lug pattern is different from your current set up. 8x170mm compared to your 8x6.5. so you would have to get new wheels and if you want a matching pattern the stearling 10.25 rear axle will have to be swapped in as well.
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From: Willard
I have to get new wheels and had planned to swap out both front and rear axles anyway, so these are not big issues for me. What I am unsure about is the steering setup and other major issues with the swap. I have not heard a lot about the overall desirability of the newer axles or this swap being common, so I am moving forward cautiously.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 448
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From: Park City, Utah
It's not quite that simple....
You are correct that the bolt pattern is different (Super Duty is 8 x 170 mm vs "traditional" 8 lug is 8 x 6.5") But there's a much bigger problem.
The spring perches on the Super Duty axles are not in the same location width-wise as the '78-'79 Ford High Pinion Dana 60 axles.
You are correct that the bolt pattern is different (Super Duty is 8 x 170 mm vs "traditional" 8 lug is 8 x 6.5") But there's a much bigger problem.
The spring perches on the Super Duty axles are not in the same location width-wise as the '78-'79 Ford High Pinion Dana 60 axles.
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From: Willard
If the spring perches are the only issue, that would not be a deal breaker. I could grind off the old perches and weld on some aftermarket ones in the correct location. Any other issues? Has anyone done this swap before?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 871
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From: New Albany, MS
If 75f350 was still on here, he could tell you everything you need to know about this, but here is what I know.
The newer super duty axles use ball joints instead of kingpins, unit bearings instead of the traditional spindle and bearings your Dana 44 uses right now, and of course the metric lug pattern.
The biggest reason you would not want to do this though is the difference in frame widths. Your high boy frame is narrower, the newer axles (post 79) are for wider frames. You would have to run leaves outside of the frame to run this axle. Possible but very ugly.
I would suggest if you really want 44s to go on and pony up the money now and get the 'correct axle'.
The newer super duty axles use ball joints instead of kingpins, unit bearings instead of the traditional spindle and bearings your Dana 44 uses right now, and of course the metric lug pattern.
The biggest reason you would not want to do this though is the difference in frame widths. Your high boy frame is narrower, the newer axles (post 79) are for wider frames. You would have to run leaves outside of the frame to run this axle. Possible but very ugly.
I would suggest if you really want 44s to go on and pony up the money now and get the 'correct axle'.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 448
Likes: 31
From: Park City, Utah
I just gave a quick reply and should have gone into more detail. My apologies...
I would highly encourage you to read the very detailed article on the Dana 60 written by Bill Ansell. Here's a link:
Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive
I would highly encourage you to read the very detailed article on the Dana 60 written by Bill Ansell. Here's a link:
Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: San Diego, CA
I just did a swap on my 1974 Highboy. I put a 78-79 F250 Dana 60 under mine the other day. Its a direct swap. Hardest part is finding the axle and if you find one they are not cheap.
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From: Willard
I figured if this was a doable swap I would have seen several trucks on here with it tucked under their ride. Most of my research has lead me back to the 1978-1979 Dana 60's as being my best option.
How about for the rear? I currently have a dana 60 in the rear (the truck is a stock 1970 highboy, I know not the right forum, but the guys in the 1967-1972 forum don't talk serious 4x4). Would I be best off with the dana 70 out of the 79/79 f350 or a 14 bolt?
How about for the rear? I currently have a dana 60 in the rear (the truck is a stock 1970 highboy, I know not the right forum, but the guys in the 1967-1972 forum don't talk serious 4x4). Would I be best off with the dana 70 out of the 79/79 f350 or a 14 bolt?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 871
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From: New Albany, MS
I like 14 bolts. But that's just me.
They are easy to set up and stout.
They can be shaven to increase clearence.
Dana 70s are fine too as well as the sterlings. Its just what you prefer.
A Detroit is cheaper for a 14 bolt if you want to go that route.
They are easy to set up and stout.
They can be shaven to increase clearence.
Dana 70s are fine too as well as the sterlings. Its just what you prefer.
A Detroit is cheaper for a 14 bolt if you want to go that route.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: sacramento
WEll one problem with the later model dana 60 is that you cant just grind off the perch and move it.. the diff is in the way. You will either have to run link suspension or move the locations of the springs. And since your going from drum front axle to disc youll need a new booster, mastercylinder, and proportioning valve..
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 470
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From: San Diego, CA
14 bolts are better in my opinion, I just hate anything Chebby or Government Motors (GM). This is why I drive Fords. If you have no bias then swap a 14 bolt. If you want an easy swap then get a 70 rear out of a 73-77 F350. These trucks have the same frame width as the highboy.