Leaf spring to coil spring conversion?
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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Leaf spring to coil spring conversion?
Guys, anyone convert from the dana 50 to the newer dana 60 with coil spring?
My Dana 50 has called it quits so while my front end is already off the vehicle already why not make improvements. Ford used the 50 for 1999 to 2002 then upgraded to the 60, I'm guessing it was for a reason!
I've read this article on a similar project but the dana 60 had leaf springs as well: Dana 60 Conversion for F250 years 1986-1996 .: Articles
I'd prefer coil spring, nothing more then personal preference with a bit of better ride quality.
The donor vehicle is a 06 SRW F250
This is not what I'll be getting but just as an example of the parts I would get.
If anyone has done this, any words of wisdom..possible write-up?
My Dana 50 has called it quits so while my front end is already off the vehicle already why not make improvements. Ford used the 50 for 1999 to 2002 then upgraded to the 60, I'm guessing it was for a reason!
I've read this article on a similar project but the dana 60 had leaf springs as well: Dana 60 Conversion for F250 years 1986-1996 .: Articles
I'd prefer coil spring, nothing more then personal preference with a bit of better ride quality.
The donor vehicle is a 06 SRW F250
This is not what I'll be getting but just as an example of the parts I would get.
If anyone has done this, any words of wisdom..possible write-up?
Last edited by Mante; Jan 17, 2013 at 05:35 PM. Reason: added info
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Ford used the D50 in SRW trucks until 2001. The D60 was in all DRW trucks 99 and up and in SRW trucks from 2002 and up. The 450s and 550s may have had bigger axles, cant remember. But the reason ford took out the D50 was simply because there was no point in having two similar axles in the warehouse. It was a cost saving measure.
However, to your question of leaf spring to coil conversion, if you get an axle out of a 2005-2007 truck, it will pretty much just bolt on, with only a little massaging needed. However, you will also need a rear axle as 2005+ axles are aprox. 2" wider than 99-04 axles. The rear axle is even easier. It is bolt on, plug and play.
However, to your question of leaf spring to coil conversion, if you get an axle out of a 2005-2007 truck, it will pretty much just bolt on, with only a little massaging needed. However, you will also need a rear axle as 2005+ axles are aprox. 2" wider than 99-04 axles. The rear axle is even easier. It is bolt on, plug and play.
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Junior User
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Ford used the D50 in SRW trucks until 2001. The D60 was in all DRW trucks 99 and up and in SRW trucks from 2002 and up. The 450s and 550s may have had bigger axles, cant remember. But the reason ford took out the D50 was simply because there was no point in having two similar axles in the warehouse. It was a cost saving measure.
However, to your question of leaf spring to coil conversion, if you get an axle out of a 2005-2007 truck, it will pretty much just bolt on, with only a little massaging needed. However, you will also need a rear axle as 2005+ axles are aprox. 2" wider than 99-04 axles. The rear axle is even easier. It is bolt on, plug and play.
However, to your question of leaf spring to coil conversion, if you get an axle out of a 2005-2007 truck, it will pretty much just bolt on, with only a little massaging needed. However, you will also need a rear axle as 2005+ axles are aprox. 2" wider than 99-04 axles. The rear axle is even easier. It is bolt on, plug and play.
I'm going to check out the donor truck tomorrow!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 1
From: Millersburg, OR
Yep we put a 2008 suspension on a 2000 truck. You need the coil buckets, track rod bracket, radius arm mounts, well pretty much everything that connects to the axles.. LOL.
You will need a good air chisel to chip out all the rivets.
You will need a good air chisel to chip out all the rivets.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
Also remember that 05 + trucks have different rim backspacing. If you do source some 17" or 18" rims, make sure they are from an 05 or later truck.
The donor vehicle has dandy rims. I'd consider using the donor vehicle's rear axle also. You would get the larger (I believe) brakes and the donor rims would fit properly on all 4 corners.
Lou Braun
The donor vehicle has dandy rims. I'd consider using the donor vehicle's rear axle also. You would get the larger (I believe) brakes and the donor rims would fit properly on all 4 corners.
Lou Braun
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Thanks for the tip, looking for wheels now.. The painful part as I had two sets of wheels already..
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Ok Guys,
I am doing this swap right now. 05 F350 to a 2000 F250
Started the rear: here are the problems i have seen
1- Hand brake cable are different ( what did you used?)
2- Shocks 2000 they are in the back of diff and 05 left one in the rear and the right one in front ( what bracket did you used)
3- rear yoke 2000 have the straps and 05 have a plate ( what did you do here?)
any info would be appreciated.
I am doing this swap right now. 05 F350 to a 2000 F250
Started the rear: here are the problems i have seen
1- Hand brake cable are different ( what did you used?)
2- Shocks 2000 they are in the back of diff and 05 left one in the rear and the right one in front ( what bracket did you used)
3- rear yoke 2000 have the straps and 05 have a plate ( what did you do here?)
any info would be appreciated.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 295
From: Fresno, CA
Question out of curiousity: I know Ford upgraded the brakes for 2005, I believe it was a rotor size increase as they could no longer fit 16" wheels. Did they also increase the brake calipers?
If so, did the master cylinder change as well? Something to think about when swapping in the axle from a 2005, might need to get a 2005+ master cylinder?
If so, did the master cylinder change as well? Something to think about when swapping in the axle from a 2005, might need to get a 2005+ master cylinder?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
With coil spring front end you will get the better turning radius too.Do you need the newer steering box to make this happen?
It seems like the ultimate Superduty would be a 7.3 with the newer coil spring suspension.
Will the drive shafts work? When did they switch from the EOD 4 to the 5 speed auto trans?
It seems like the ultimate Superduty would be a 7.3 with the newer coil spring suspension.
Will the drive shafts work? When did they switch from the EOD 4 to the 5 speed auto trans?
New User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Looking for conversion info.
Ok Guys,
I am doing this swap right now. 05 F350 to a 2000 F250
Started the rear: here are the problems i have seen
1- Hand brake cable are different ( what did you used?)
2- Shocks 2000 they are in the back of diff and 05 left one in the rear and the right one in front ( what bracket did you used)
3- rear yoke 2000 have the straps and 05 have a plate ( what did you do here?)
any info would be appreciated.
I am doing this swap right now. 05 F350 to a 2000 F250
Started the rear: here are the problems i have seen
1- Hand brake cable are different ( what did you used?)
2- Shocks 2000 they are in the back of diff and 05 left one in the rear and the right one in front ( what bracket did you used)
3- rear yoke 2000 have the straps and 05 have a plate ( what did you do here?)
any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
colt.rhoads@kpchealth.com
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
Here's a conversion thread. Grab a cup of coffee before you click on the link!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-thread.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-thread.html
New User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3
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Thanks
Thanks for the info, but I'm looking for ride quality and I think coils are the way to go.