See, it just takes patience and perserverance, two major virtues in the old vehicle game.

 

Sweet congrats on the find, I finally found a Dana 70 from an '85 f350 ambulance, 4.10, locker, dually. Going to look/buy it tomorrow.

 

Congratulations on the find. Get the correct tool to remove the hubs. Don't do what some hack did to these hub nuts.

 

Ahhh, the old hammer and chisel. I good option only if your replacing them.

 

Well, its not the axle swap, but I did get something accomplished today...


Hopefully, no more anti-freeze puddles in the driveway...

 

Hey Mike. If you are going to take that rear axle out please call me and I will be quite interested in your old one! I sent you an email with my phone number. I can't find parts for mine anywhere and I wonder if yours are the same. THANKS! bryan

 

So.... Mike did you "get" to visit your mother-in-law on this adventure?
That might have just made your day!

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

hey Ben- I didn't make it to visit my MIL, but after looking at the map, I wasn't too far from her after driving around Kansas on my search.
I have a question about the swap, can I still use the '54 brakes (which are fairly new and proven) or do I have use the larger '70 brakes (I will see what kind of shape they are in when I pull them apart). I am trying to maintain my drive-shaft e-brake, so if I use the '70's brakes, I will have to remove the e-brake cables and such from them.
The 1948 through 1960 Ford F-1 and F-100 Rear Axle (differential) Swaps .: Articles
articles don't mention much about what to retain as far as the brakes unless you are converting to disc. I have done searches for the Dana 60 swap and such, but again, not much on brake swap unless you're swapping to disc brakes (which I'm not). I wouldn't mind keeping the '54 brakes on until I retain more funds to swap to the bigger '70's, but with the kitchen upgrade going on, I should just be happy that the wife let me get an axle without too much grief...
I will try to document and photograph as much as I can as I go through this processs as I have noticed not much for the F250 trucks.

Thanks again, and sorry for so many questions.
Mike

 

I put in new pads in the upgraded axle when I did the swap on mine a bunch of years ago. I liked the idea of newer self adjusting brakes. I couldn't use the original e-brake because I did a 460/C6 swap. I made a bracket that attached to the transmission cover and used the original e-brake lever in the original location splicing a cable to the rear brakes. It has worked good.

 

I have a question about the swap, can I still use the '54 brakes (which are fairly new and proven) or do I have use the larger '70 brakes (I will see what kind of shape they are in when I pull them apart). I am trying to maintain my drive-shaft e-brake, so if I use the '70's brakes, I will have to remove the e-brake cables and such from them.

I do believe it would be a major job to downgrade the 60 axle to your old brake system if doable. The brake cables can be removed from the 60 or left in place and tie them up inside the frame while retaining your original e brake. You may decide later you want to use them if and when you opt for an OD transmission. Exactly the kind of questions that must be addressed while planning a build.
The bigger the truck, the bigger the issues.

 

Ok, apologies are in order... I didn't take any pictures of the swap except for one of the Timken sitting on the ground after pulling it out.
I have to admit that it was nearly plug and play easy. I had to rebuild the brakes, replace bearings and cut 1 1/2" off the driveshaft, but other than that it has gone incredibly easy. It was easy enough that I didn't want to stop and take pictures and blot anything down... I thought about doing it... but never got to a point of being fusterated enough to take a "time-out", count to ten (unless you count bonking my head on the rear bumper), take a picture and post it or even ask a question. I am painting it with some rust-oleum, just to keep the rust to a minimum, but other than that, I am nearly ready to jump in and take it on a shake-down and see if it was worth it. Maybe this weekend will grant me that wish.

Mike B-

 

Good job Mike. You will enjoy being able to cruise without the engine sceaming.

 

So Mike, are these two pictures similar to what you see? Top is the Timken and lower is a 70 but the 70 looks about the same as your 60.

 

Raytash does your Dana 70 have a B cast into the top like this?


If not you may have a .500 offset instead of the normal .625. Just something to keep in mind if you ever want to change gears. You can use later gears in a .500 housing just have to get the ring gear machined 1/8".

 

So as to not the thread too much, no. My 70 has the 70 cast into the curb side as does the one you pictured but no other casing numbers on the top. Mine is from a '69 F350 with 4:10 gears. I will be running 350 CI TBI, automatic with .70 OD, 4:10 gears and 32" tires so I should be good for towing and cruise speed. Many thanks for the heads up.