Front axle swap?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 142
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From: CT
Front axle swap?
I have an 88 f250 351w 4x4. I was wondering what it would take to swap the current Independent Front Suspension to a solid axle. If anyone has done this before i would appreciate any help.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
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From: Central Wisconsin
What solid axle do you plan on using? A Dana 60 from the same era (which would also be a king pin front end) would be ideal and pretty much a bolt in operation. I put a Dana 44 HD under my truck which is the exact same as yours but 1 year newer and that wasn't exactly a bolt in but it wasn't too difficult. The Dana 60 is of course stronger than the Dana 44 HD though.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kentucky
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Pueblo, CO
IIRC '85-97 F350 4x4's all used D60 front ends, maybe as early as '83 I forget. '79 and earlier also used them but I'm not sure if using one from that era truck would be as simple. the first few years of the bullnose trucks used TTB also so I think it's as simple as finding an F350 with a solid axle and that should be a D60. I've read super duty axles aren't as easy to swap either.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
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From: Central Wisconsin
If you find an F350 from the late 80s that is 4 wheel drive you will be good to go. The mid 90's Dana 60's used ball joints and you don't want that because they aren't as tough, but if it's all you can find then it will have to do.
The 70's trucks don't have the spring perches in the right place, which is why the Dana 44 HD like I used from a High Boy wasn't a bolt in.
I'm not sure about the super duty trucks though.
The 70's trucks don't have the spring perches in the right place, which is why the Dana 44 HD like I used from a High Boy wasn't a bolt in.
I'm not sure about the super duty trucks though.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: orange ma
i have an op to buy a kingpin i guess out of a 90's f350 whats different or should i say which is better ball joint or kingpin? pros cons? thanx
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Durham, CA
The kingpin axles last quite a bit longer and are inherently stronger due to the kingpins vice the balljoints. Nothing wrong with the balljoint setups but you'll be servicing them quite a bit more as the balljoints themselves are a weak link. I'd say if you have the opportunity to grab a good Kingpin D60 that'll work for ya go for it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
85.5-91 Dana 60s are king pin
92-97 are ball joint
95,96,97 have the big brakes and the caliper bolt on.
MAKE SURE you get the drivers side u-bolt plate, track bar, track bar bracket, F350 leaf springs, F350 driveshaft(for your trans), and front yolk from the t-case(same series either a 1356 or 4407)
As for making a dually a single axle, just remove
locking hub
wheel bearings
rotor/hub assem
REPLACE with
Single wheel hub from D50 or D60
wheel bearings
locking hubs
92-97 are ball joint
95,96,97 have the big brakes and the caliper bolt on.
MAKE SURE you get the drivers side u-bolt plate, track bar, track bar bracket, F350 leaf springs, F350 driveshaft(for your trans), and front yolk from the t-case(same series either a 1356 or 4407)
As for making a dually a single axle, just remove
locking hub
wheel bearings
rotor/hub assem
REPLACE with
Single wheel hub from D50 or D60
wheel bearings
locking hubs
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: orange ma
85.5-91 Dana 60s are king pin
92-97 are ball joint
95,96,97 have the big brakes and the caliper bolt on.
MAKE SURE you get the drivers side u-bolt plate, track bar, track bar bracket, F350 leaf springs, F350 driveshaft(for your trans), and front yolk from the t-case(same series either a 1356 or 4407)
As for making a dually a single axle, just remove
locking hub
wheel bearings
rotor/hub assem
REPLACE with
Single wheel hub from D50 or D60
wheel bearings
locking hubs
92-97 are ball joint
95,96,97 have the big brakes and the caliper bolt on.
MAKE SURE you get the drivers side u-bolt plate, track bar, track bar bracket, F350 leaf springs, F350 driveshaft(for your trans), and front yolk from the t-case(same series either a 1356 or 4407)
As for making a dually a single axle, just remove
locking hub
wheel bearings
rotor/hub assem
REPLACE with
Single wheel hub from D50 or D60
wheel bearings
locking hubs