Front axle options.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Central Illinois
Front axle options.
Hi All,
Two weeks ago I picked up a Heinz 57 Highboy. I think the front axle is from a 73-75 F250, (it has drum brakes) the only ID on the axle is "60F" and "C36912" on the yoke, the other 2 ID tags are gone. I would like to have disc brakes on the front.
That said, I want to use the truck as a fair weather DD, mostly highway and some interstate (65-70 mph), it won't be used to haul anything, it will be a pavement princess. The motor is a stock 390, NP435 and it will be riding on 35" tires.
So my questions are:
1. What gears should I run? Right now it has 4.10 gears, my thoughts were going with 3.55 or 3.73?
2. Is there a disc brake conversion kit or should I just get another axle with disc brakes. If I need to swap axles, what axle should I look for??
Sorry for being long winded.
Gavin
Two weeks ago I picked up a Heinz 57 Highboy. I think the front axle is from a 73-75 F250, (it has drum brakes) the only ID on the axle is "60F" and "C36912" on the yoke, the other 2 ID tags are gone. I would like to have disc brakes on the front.
That said, I want to use the truck as a fair weather DD, mostly highway and some interstate (65-70 mph), it won't be used to haul anything, it will be a pavement princess. The motor is a stock 390, NP435 and it will be riding on 35" tires.
So my questions are:
1. What gears should I run? Right now it has 4.10 gears, my thoughts were going with 3.55 or 3.73?
2. Is there a disc brake conversion kit or should I just get another axle with disc brakes. If I need to swap axles, what axle should I look for??
Sorry for being long winded.
Gavin
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Pa.
Your 4:10s with 35" tires is really good for MPG if highway miles it is I wouldn't change the gears
Take a look here Gear Ratio and Tire Size Calculator - 4x4 and Jeep Ring & Pinion
Has the power steering gear box been changed? I would look for a 78/79 high pinion HD dana 44 it will already have disks and you can run the T style steering linkage ..
Take a look here Gear Ratio and Tire Size Calculator - 4x4 and Jeep Ring & Pinion
Has the power steering gear box been changed? I would look for a 78/79 high pinion HD dana 44 it will already have disks and you can run the T style steering linkage ..
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Central Illinois
Your 4:10s with 35" tires is really good for MPG if highway miles it is I wouldn't change the gears
Take a look here Gear Ratio and Tire Size Calculator - 4x4 and Jeep Ring & Pinion
Take a look here Gear Ratio and Tire Size Calculator - 4x4 and Jeep Ring & Pinion
The problem with a HP axle is it will hit the drivers side headers, sorry, forgot to mention it had headers.
Thanks Red!!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Are you absolutely sure??? I've got a HP D44 in my 73 (F100) with Hedmans on an FE and the shaft clears the collector flange by around 1/4-inch.... I'm ready to plasma the flange if it ever does at deep left-articulation... so far, so good.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Central Illinois
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
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From: Pa.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Central Illinois
Here's one option I don't know how close it is to you front axle 79 f250.
I'll call that guy tomorrow and see how much he wants for his '79 axle.
TYVM Red!
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Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
The HP60 is another matter, it requires some additional lift over stock highboy height.
This also depends on which FE headers you're running, some brands route slightly differently than others.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Central Illinois
There shouldn't be any header clearance issues with a HP44 in a stock height highboy (unless the springs are sagging).
The HP60 is another matter, it requires some additional lift over stock highboy height.
This is also depends on which FE headers you're running, some brands route slightly differently than others.
The HP60 is another matter, it requires some additional lift over stock highboy height.
This is also depends on which FE headers you're running, some brands route slightly differently than others.
Have a "Good Friday" all.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1976: First year that 4WD's were available with disc brakes.
redroad: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) were only available with Power Assist P/S. The manual steering gearbox is used, because it has nothing to do with Power Assist.
Two long P/S hoses, pressure & return, route from the pump to the control valve. Two short P/S hoses, pressure & return, route from the control valve to the ram cylinder.
1973 F250 4WD, 1974 F250 4WD before serial number T80,001 used Garrison Power Assist P/S. 1974 F250 4WD from serial number T80,001, 1975/77 F250 4WD used Bendix Power Assist P/S.
redroad: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) were only available with Power Assist P/S. The manual steering gearbox is used, because it has nothing to do with Power Assist.
Two long P/S hoses, pressure & return, route from the pump to the control valve. Two short P/S hoses, pressure & return, route from the control valve to the ram cylinder.
1973 F250 4WD, 1974 F250 4WD before serial number T80,001 used Garrison Power Assist P/S. 1974 F250 4WD from serial number T80,001, 1975/77 F250 4WD used Bendix Power Assist P/S.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: starship enterprise
You want sthe front 44 for your app. The headers won't clear with a front HP 60, been there and seen it. The 77-79 front 44 had 2 ratios, 3.54 and 4.10 Respectively. Some had a 4.09 and that will be fine too. The front 60s are starting to have knuckle issues with cracking, and the front brake brackets are starting to get loose too. Look for the front 44 and make sure you convert your master cylinder to one for front disks father than front drums, direct bolt on and you need to do it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
1976: First year that 4WD's were available with disc brakes.
redroad: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) were only available with Power Assist P/S. The manual steering gearbox is used, because it has nothing to do with Power Assist.
Two long P/S hoses, pressure & return, route from the pump to the control valve. Two short P/S hoses, pressure & return, route from the control valve to the ram cylinder.
1973 F250 4WD, 1974 F250 4WD before serial number T80,001 used Garrison Power Assist P/S. 1974 F250 4WD from serial number T80,001, 1975/77 F250 4WD used Bendix Power Assist P/S.
redroad: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) were only available with Power Assist P/S. The manual steering gearbox is used, because it has nothing to do with Power Assist.
Two long P/S hoses, pressure & return, route from the pump to the control valve. Two short P/S hoses, pressure & return, route from the control valve to the ram cylinder.
1973 F250 4WD, 1974 F250 4WD before serial number T80,001 used Garrison Power Assist P/S. 1974 F250 4WD from serial number T80,001, 1975/77 F250 4WD used Bendix Power Assist P/S.
I know all to well about the the power assist unit until I converted .. It was a suggestion because they are low pinion and the drive shaft may clear his header problem easier ..
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
You want sthe front 44 for your app. The headers won't clear with a front HP 60, been there and seen it. The 77-79 front 44 had 2 ratios, 3.54 and 4.10 Respectively. Some had a 4.09 and that will be fine too. The front 60s are starting to have knuckle issues with cracking, and the front brake brackets are starting to get loose too.
Look for the front 44 and make sure you convert your master cylinder to one for front disks rather than front drums, direct bolt on and you need to do it.
Look for the front 44 and make sure you convert your master cylinder to one for front disks rather than front drums, direct bolt on and you need to do it.
F250's with 6900/7500/8100 lb. GVW's have dual piston caliper disc brakes.
The brake and clutch pedals are different for 1977/79's. You have to match the booster to the pedals when making this swap.
1973/79 F100/350: There are TWENTY TWO different brake pedals, NINETEEN different master cylinders, SEVENTEEN different P/B boosters and SEVEN different clutch pedals....I kid you not!
Originally Posted by Tomahawk
The motor is a stock 390. 
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Central Illinois
You want the front 44 for your app. The headers won't clear with a front HP 60, been there and seen it. The 77-79 front 44 had 2 ratios, 3.54 and 4.10 Respectively. Some had a 4.09 and that will be fine too. The front 60s are starting to have knuckle issues with cracking, and the front brake brackets are starting to get loose too. Look for the front 44 and make sure you convert your master cylinder to one for front disks father than front drums, direct bolt on and you need to do it.
TWO different types of disc brakes, as it depends on the GVW. F250's with 6100/6200/6300 lb. GVW's have single piston caliper disc brakes.
F250's with 6900/7500/8100 lb. GVW's have dual piston caliper disc brakes.
The brake and clutch pedals are different for 1977/79's. You have to match the booster to the pedals when making this swap.
1973/79 F100/350: There are TWENTY TWO different brake pedals, NINETEEN different master cylinders, SEVENTEEN different P/B boosters and SEVEN different clutch pedals....I kid you not!
F250's with 6900/7500/8100 lb. GVW's have dual piston caliper disc brakes.
The brake and clutch pedals are different for 1977/79's. You have to match the booster to the pedals when making this swap.
1973/79 F100/350: There are TWENTY TWO different brake pedals, NINETEEN different master cylinders, SEVENTEEN different P/B boosters and SEVEN different clutch pedals....I kid you not!
If I get a Dana 44 front axle with disc brakes, I will also need to get the correct master cylinder/booster and proportioning valve?
