Hey, I've been searching for awhile... And i have came up with nothing about the conversion.

If anyone has a link or know about the conversion it would be nice if you shared lol. Thanks!

 

Ford used several variations under their later trucks, I don't know all the in's and out's. But I believe a good starting point would be to specify what year superduty axles you are looking at swapping in.

 

Thank you for the reply! All this thinking came from me finding a set of Super Duty axles complete from hub to hub, front and rear on Craigslist for 800 Buck's.

The add said he didn't know the year of the axles but they are 4.30 gear's.

The Price is great for the set, but i dont know the headache i might be getting into... I'm pretty sure the spring perches are spaced different then my 86' too.

 

Depending on the year, they may have a metric wheel pattern with metric studs.

 

I'm Trackin' that they changed to metric, Im looking at doing both axle's so that's not an issues

 

Do some more searching is all I can say. There are other guys on here who know more about it if they come by, but if I remember correctly it's not a popular swap, which is why the dana 60 front axle is so popular and so expensive. It bolts in, is strong, and has the correct wheel pattern. I remember reading some of the later axles are weak and not worth swapping in, but you have to find out what you are going to buy first.

 

Thank's much man! I can see its not very popular lol, I do see alot of people go with the later Sterling rear axle's though.

I don't have a problem changing the bolt pattern's of my wheel's, if it was just one axle then i would not do it but since i'm thinking of doing both i dont see a problem with that, its just trying to find out if it can be done and how hard it is.

I'll try some other sites to see if there is anything. Thank's again man!

 

Having a Superduty myself...

The front axle is a Dana 60, except as specified below.

99-04 used leaf spring front and the drivers side leaf spring perch is cast into the diff housing. Leaf spring perches on my 00 Dana 50 housing are 38.5" center to center. 05- up have coils and links.

The 99-01 F250s and single rear wheel F350s used a Dana 50 differential in the front diff. It is in a 60 sized housing, but you have to pop the cover to know. 02-04 fronts have standard Dana 60 carriers.

4.30s were not original gears for an F250F350. Only 3.73 and 4.11 AFAIK. Although 4.30 gears were available in the F450/F550 but that would have a Dana 135 rear axle and dually adapters on the front.

Wheel bearings on the front axle are not separately replaceable. They have unit bearings($300 each). These unit bearings do not like big tires(over 35"). There is a kit from Dynatrac called the freespin that gets rid of the unit bearings and uses standard Dan 60 replaceable bearings. Not a cheap kit.

Factory balljoints have plastic bushings in the joint that wear quickly, and are not greaseable. My original set was shot at 70k miles. Replaced with Moog greaseable and still tight at 175k.

There was the option of shift on the fly that has vacuum hoses running to each spindle. The seals in the hub are know to leak and not engage the hub. I just plugged the vacuum ports on mine and installed Warn Premium manual hubs.

The rear axle is a Sterling 10.5". Strong, reliable. My 00 Sterling has spring perches 45.5" center to center. As reference, my 82 Dana has its perches at 44.5" center to center. These Sterling axles require 85w140 full synthetic fluid. Any brand but I use Mobil 1. And if it has limited slip, it needs friction modifier. The Dodge friction modifier works better IMO.

All these Superduty axles use a 8x170mm lug pattern. Lug nut threads can be 14mmx2 or 14mmx2.5.

Axles 05+ have a wider track requiring a different offset wheel.

Any other questions or need me to measure something.....?

 

Great info man! Much help.

So from what you're saying is the later front axles are not as strong and reliable as the early dana 60? If that is correct then i think i might throw this idea out the window.

My truck i for mostly pavement, Tow the Quad trailer to the Oregon dunes and hunting.

Thanks for the info again brother!

 

I did not say that. They have their quirks, but can be made plenty strong. My front axle currently has 5400lbs sitting on it and the rear 2800lbs (8200 total with me and a half a tank) according to the local scales. That 5400 is more than your whole truck weighs. Mine has the diesel, 35" tires, winch, and 1/4" plate steel bumpers. Axle is strong.

I use my Superduty same as you, towing, dunes, daily pavement driver, and I find it plenty strong. Knock on wood.

 

Ok, I just took what you said out of context, Sorry.

Your say you're front axle messures at 38.5", I cant currenty check my 86' but do you know the spring width on the front of a Bullnose?

I too run 35" tires. I'm going to build my front bumper after i return from Afghanstan and i'm sure its gunna weigh more than i want it too.

I just really want to beef up the truck, my 20' enclosed trailer is HEAVY when its loaded for a dunes trip.

 

Here is the link to the axle's i found.

Ford Axles Dana 80/50

 

Spring perch is already cut off pass side of front axle. Someone was probably going to use them for a crawler. The passenger side spring perch also has the trac bar mount, now missing.

Rear axle there is not a Dana 80, it is a Sterling.

Looks like they have been sitting a while.

 

I thought the rear was a Sterling, Look's alot like mine just the disk break's.

I did notice the front was missing the passanger spring perch, That's a pretty simple weld up to fix though.

I don't remember what my 86' front axle messured at but i want to say it was 39"... I really don't remember though.

My thought's are if its not too much to change and fab to get the later axle's to fit, That would be a pretty good upgrade. I think i'll wait till i get back to the state's before i jump on anything though.