Alright so now that I finnaly have a rig to go ice racing with (local guys require 4X4, which the 91 7.3IDI fits the bill nicley for) Im starting to plan on future mods/improvments especially after getting on the ice for the first time (top 30 out of 61 with a suprisingly well planted rear end). That said the priorities for this truck are first and foremost towing, getting to work in deep snow if we ever get it (8"+), ice racing (equal with getting to work) and offroading, offroading would be higher up but I figure since its a 3/4-1 ton full size truck Im going to stick to the fairly easy trails that could probbly be tackled by a stock truck.

All that said would an LSD or selectable lockers be better on the ice? Currently running dual opens and I was honestly suprised by how well planted the rear end was. Planning on upgrading to dual Dana 60s down the road (front hopefully this summer, rear sometime after I swap to hydroboost brakes) so figure before I swap them in to upgrade them fully so I dont have to think about them again for another couple years at least (thinking 35spline upgrade, either ARB or LSD and new everything else up front, ARB or LSD out back with once again new everything)

 

putting a d-60 in the rear is a downgrade. keep the sterling 10.24 that is in there.

 

Was thinking of doing the 60 in the rear due to factory disk brakes vs current drums (99 E350 donor axle) while still having the correct bolt pattern(disk>>>drums). Any ideas on selectable vs LSD?

 

No experience ice racing..

I agree with Tom though, keep the sterling. Disc brake upgrade on that is cheaper and easier anyway - see Ruff Stuff for brackets.

 

My problem with the disk brake conversions is every version Ive found (including Ruff Stuffs') either use undersized calipers or Id loose the emergency/parking brake (which I admitidly dont use in winter anyways) both of which are game enders for me just from a safety standpoint.

If you dont mind me asking why the 10.25 vs newer 60 (where you dont have to pull axle to do brakes)?

 

simply because the 10.25 is a better axle than the D-60.
most think the D-60 is better, and will swap it in and keep the drum brakes. that is a downgrade.

but if you are doing it for the 4 wheel disc brakes, than i can see making the swap.

 

I thought the 10.25 has slide off drums? No revmoving the axle.

Most kits use 3/4ton chevy front calipers for conversion, most people use a proportioning valve to decrease their power. Sterling is 35 spline. No removing the axle if you go disc brakes. I believe there are calipers you can use that have a parking brake, driveline brake is always an option (see recent thread 73fordguy).

 

yup, they do. not sure when they started but the 10.25 LS i put in my 88 has that feature. and that axle came out of a 88 F-350.

 

Yep 10.25's have slide off drums and if I was doing a D60 drum brake version Id agree its a big downgrade if nothing else but from a maintance standpoint, however the D60 rear in at least the 99 E350 had disk brakes and 8X6.5 bolt pattern so my factory wheels would fit

Problem with swapping to the driveline parking brake is people think there gold, for what most of them are going for you can buy a front D60 kingpin. The 2 versions of disk brake conversions Ive found either use the chevy 3/4 ton fronts and you loose the parking brake or eldorado rear calipers where you get parking brake function but have calipers the rough size as whats on my Miata...

Not sure what the spline count is on the D60 rear but beyond the drum brake/axle stupidity any other cons to them? (beyond trying to keep my parts straight... F250 frame/body, F350 front axle, E350 rear...)

 

Depending on year your 60 will be 30 or 35sp.

If you have a factory disk 60 then its a semifloat version and a complete turd compared to a sterling.

 

At least in 99 (not sure on other years) the E350 had rear dana60 disk brakes and full float, Ive never checked the tags on the others at work to check what they have though (had to do a rear end on a 99 so rember that one...)

*edit* apparently its 96-04 E350s that had full floater D60 disk brake rear ends with a 8X6.5 bolt pattern linky

 

I have seen the E250 backing plate/caliper bracket swapped onto a sterling before, It isn't a direct bolt on, you do need to fab a new flange and weld it to the axle. The E350 rotor fits nicely on the Sterling hub.

 

The disc brake kit I got used an e series rear rotor...

 

Its a bad idea to race on lsd...

/endthread

 

Are you using tires with picks on them?
If theres picks, I wouldn't want a full lockup.
If it's just regular tires, full lock might help acceleration out of the hole, but just remember, once both rear wheels are spinning, you're going sideways.