I have a 84 1/2 ton that i converted to a 4wd using the axles from a 95. now i wanna put 3/4 ton axles under it so i can put a 7.3 idi in it and maybe a 5.9 eventually. how much difference is there between the front frame sections from the 1/2 to 3/4 ton. i have a 85 3/4 im thinking about just using the whole front frame section to put the axle under my truck. then just plate it in nice w/ the rest of my 1/2 ton. anybody tried this?

 

First off, and I don't mean to be rude, but if you've got a half and 3/4 ton sitting right there, why don't you get out the measuring tape?

Some of the F-250's came with a D44HD ttb, while others came with the D50 ttb. Not much difference between the two. The F250's and F350 ttb's are leaf sprung front ends from what I remember, which would require converting to leafs or converting the leafs to coils. So, keep the D44 front in your truck, and swap out to a Dana 60 rear or a 1 ton Sterling 10 1/4? Plenty of the old F250's from the 70's had a 44 front straight axle and a 60 rear.

Also, you don't have to change out to 3/4 ton axles to put a 7.3 or a 12v Come-apart in your truck. Depending on what motor you've got in your truck, and what springs you got, the only thing you'd have to worry about is what is associated with the engine swap.

 

1: A 1/2 ton frame is not made as strong as a 3/4-1 ton frame. This may or may not be an issue for you.

2: The D44HD is not really different internally than the D44 LD that's under your truck now. There is a way to covert your D44 to 8-lugs using GM parts. You could then use F250/350 2wd springs for the extra load assuming you're stock height.

3: The D50 TTB and D60 monobeam axles are what would have been factory installed with a diesel and are both leaf sprung.

4: The frame horns on the F150 are different than the 250/350 and would require some fabrication to mount leafs.

5: A cut frame/welded frame is a violation of inspection laws in many states.


If it were me I'd use the whole F250/350 frame if I could.

Or better yet sell your truck and buy a diesel F250/350...

Converting to 8 lugs will work also assuming you put an HD rear under the back. The front axle strength won't be up to par but unless you're going to go nuts offroad or work the truck to death it should be fine.

If you're set on using part of the F250 frame, why not use it all?

 

im not sure if id lave the dana 50 in it or put a 60 straight axle in it. my truck is a super cab long box and the 250 is a reg cab long box, plus the only thing that is really any good left on it is the frame

 

do you guys think ethier diesel would be to much weight for my 44 independent? i would like a diesel in my truck but idk if they would tear the front end up if i left it a 1/2ton

 

o and its a winsdor w/ stock spring now

 

I'll say it like I said it in the first post I made here:

WHAT AXLE YOU'VE GOT DOESN'T MATTER AS TO WHAT ENGINE YOUR TRUCK CAN HOLD.

The only thing you should have to worry about it how strong the front coil springs are. There are plenty of people on here that drop 460's into F100's and all they do is change the springs.

If you want to see what your truck will sit like with the diesel in it, have a 200lb man sit on the radiator support with the hood up.

The only thing that's different between a D44LD and a D44HD are the lugs and springs that I can tell, as well as maybe the joints/axleshaft/driveshafts.

If you want to do a 3/4 or 1 ton conversion, as well as a swap to a diesel, you'd be best off buying an 85.5 or 86 (if you want an 80 to 86 styled truck, if not, go for an 87 to 96) F350 one-ton with the diesel already in it AND a solid front Dana 60, as well as 4wd.

In my opinion, it's not worth it to go through a swap from 1/2 to 3/4 or 1 ton, THEN turn around and do a motor swap to a diesel (which is WAY more involved than a gasoline motor), when you could just buy a truck that's already set up the way you want it and you can invest your money in that, and have it a LOT quicker and easier.

If anything, set some money aside in your piggy bank until you can get the truck you want. As to the bad frame in the 1/2 ton truck you've already got, get yourself a welder (I'm going to assume you already have one and know how to use it) and weld in some 1/4'' angle iron onto the frame to put strength back in the metal. That would make it last a lot longer if you don't want to do a frame swap.