Front axle Comparisons
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Front axle Comparisons
Hey guys,
I havnt posted much over here, have lurked for some time, anyways Ive started reading more and more over here so I figured I'll start getting in on the chat a bit.
Just wanted to hear everyones opinion on 99-04 SD front axle vs OBS Dana 60. Ive already done a kingpin Dana 60 swap into my OBS F250. However, Im going to be swapping over to a SD rear end to get disk brakes & a bit of extra width; I'll likely just be getting a matching front, and would like to hear what everyone thinks about the KP vs a SD front axle. I know the unit bearings are expensive but convenient, and I like the bolt on calipers (NOT a fan of the slide pins) and larger brakes, but have also read people are not into the SD front over a OBS Dana 60, KP or Balljoint.
Let me know what you think, would like to hear pros and cons and what you guys would be doing if it were you. Thanks!
Regards
-Krause
I havnt posted much over here, have lurked for some time, anyways Ive started reading more and more over here so I figured I'll start getting in on the chat a bit.
Just wanted to hear everyones opinion on 99-04 SD front axle vs OBS Dana 60. Ive already done a kingpin Dana 60 swap into my OBS F250. However, Im going to be swapping over to a SD rear end to get disk brakes & a bit of extra width; I'll likely just be getting a matching front, and would like to hear what everyone thinks about the KP vs a SD front axle. I know the unit bearings are expensive but convenient, and I like the bolt on calipers (NOT a fan of the slide pins) and larger brakes, but have also read people are not into the SD front over a OBS Dana 60, KP or Balljoint.
Let me know what you think, would like to hear pros and cons and what you guys would be doing if it were you. Thanks!
Regards
-Krause
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
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From: Southern West Virginia
If I were swapping the rear, I think I'd go ahead and do the front if I had the axle. I swapped a ball joint D60 into my 250 and love it, but if I would have had SD axles laying there, I would have used them 
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Yes if I were doing it ALL over again, I would probly have done the 05+ axles. But RSK has already been done, and Im still not even sure Ill even be getting into the front axle again anyways. A lot of the rears on CL and locally are there as a package deal, and if you try to split them up buddy wants 400-500 just for the rear. Nearly worth it to just buy both and see what can be done. Just weighing options is all.
VT Chapter Ldr
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 96,096
Likes: 294
From: Orange, Vermont
Be careful what year SD axel you get. All excursions only got the D50 and SD from 99-02 maybe, except the F350 dually, got the D50 also. I think in 03 the D60 was put into more use throughout the line up. But you should research it some first.
I think the spring pads are spaced slightly farther out, but not enough to make a difference I guess.
the only other thing is the SD has the unit hub bearing instead of replaceable bearings and seals like on the OBS. But they do last for quite a while.
I think the spring pads are spaced slightly farther out, but not enough to make a difference I guess.
the only other thing is the SD has the unit hub bearing instead of replaceable bearings and seals like on the OBS. But they do last for quite a while.
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Be careful what year SD axel you get. All excursions only got the D50 and SD from 99-02 maybe, except the F350 dually, got the D50 also. I think in 03 the D60 was put into more use throughout the line up. But you should research it some first.
I think the spring pads are spaced slightly farther out, but not enough to make a difference I guess.
the only other thing is the SD has the unit hub bearing instead of replaceable bearings and seals like on the OBS. But they do last for quite a while.
I think the spring pads are spaced slightly farther out, but not enough to make a difference I guess.
the only other thing is the SD has the unit hub bearing instead of replaceable bearings and seals like on the OBS. But they do last for quite a while.
I read another thread on the Army I think, one guy was very pro OBS era dana 60, didnt like the Unit hubs at all, while another was very pro SD style axles, saying the old Kingpins were obsolete and old tech and all this... I dont know, it will be a huge amount of work to put the SD axle in, figuring out how to deal with the track bar and trying to retain my rims and such. Likely just best to freshen up the KP and call it a day with the rear in.
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VT Chapter Ldr
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 96,096
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From: Orange, Vermont
A big advantage over the kingpin is tighter turning radius. I have read the SD D60 allows for even tighter turning radius.
Also did you swap the 250 pitman are for the 350? If you haven't you should because the 250 arm is shorter and doesn't allow full lockout in turns. I drove mine around for a number of months before changing it and wished I did it sooner.
Also did you swap the 250 pitman are for the 350? If you haven't you should because the 250 arm is shorter and doesn't allow full lockout in turns. I drove mine around for a number of months before changing it and wished I did it sooner.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
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From: Yreka, CA
Be careful what year SD axel you get. All excursions only got the D50 and SD from 99-02 maybe, except the F350 dually, got the D50 also. I think in 03 the D60 was put into more use throughout the line up. But you should research it some first.
I think the spring pads are spaced slightly farther out, but not enough to make a difference I guess.
the only other thing is the SD has the unit hub bearing instead of replaceable bearings and seals like on the OBS. But they do last for quite a while.
I think the spring pads are spaced slightly farther out, but not enough to make a difference I guess.
the only other thing is the SD has the unit hub bearing instead of replaceable bearings and seals like on the OBS. But they do last for quite a while.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 15,505
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From: Livoina,La
Spring pads on the front will have to be moved.
The rear is a direct swap in
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...er-97-psd.html
The rear is a direct swap in
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...er-97-psd.html
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Spring pads on the front will have to be moved.
The rear is a direct swap in
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...er-97-psd.html
The rear is a direct swap in
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...er-97-psd.html
And in terms of turning radius, I have 37's with an offset rim, so the tires actually rub the leafs & are the limiting factor for me in terms of that; I had to adjust the bump stopper on my axle to stop the knuckle early to avoid this. F350 pitman arm wouldnt help i'm afraid.
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