New guy with solid axle replacement questions.
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New User
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New guy with solid axle replacement questions.
Howdy all, lurked around here long enough to appreciate the wealth of knowledge on this site. So, I have a 97 F250 Heavy Duty with IFS. I have owned it since day one, its a Powerstroke with a 5 speed, 160K miles. I am considering converting to a solid axle set up. For those of you who have done it, what pitfalls will I run into that I may not expect? I have a decent set of skills, and do not look at the project as beyond my abilities, but we all know the devil is in the details. Suggestions? Thanks!
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,467
Likes: 5,534
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
get EVERYTHING before you attempt it.
if you have everything you need, it is a snap. one day job for 2 people.
if you are missing parts, it can become a nightmare sourcing those parts.
if you have everything you need, it is a snap. one day job for 2 people.
if you are missing parts, it can become a nightmare sourcing those parts.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,467
Likes: 5,534
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
a safe way of thinking is that if you even think it may have anything close to do with the front steering, take it.
axle. springs. track bar. track bar bracket. sway bar and brackets.
full steering linkage, including pitman arm.
or if you can, get a complete donor truck to have on hand until the swap is completed and on the road
axle. springs. track bar. track bar bracket. sway bar and brackets.
full steering linkage, including pitman arm.
or if you can, get a complete donor truck to have on hand until the swap is completed and on the road
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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why exactly are you contemplating the swap? the solid axle up front will make your truck ride substantially rougher. just be sure the gains of the 60 outweigh the loss in ride quality. . .I personally love the TTB and wouldn't trade it for a solid in a truck that sees a lot of pavement. the hype that surrounds a solid axle swap is not merited 9.5 times out of 10, leaving the only benefit of having it is the ability to say its there.
im not saying you shouldn't do it, just suggesting that you should consider the pros and cons of the swap and determine that its the best option before you commit to it.
im not saying you shouldn't do it, just suggesting that you should consider the pros and cons of the swap and determine that its the best option before you commit to it.
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New User
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Doing the swap for a couple of reasons...the big one being that this will no longer be a hiway truck except for pulling a heavy trailer now and then. Its the hunting rig now with the exception that I will use it as a work truck now and then. I do some welding and it has a work bed, airbags, some other goodies on it already. Plus, the IFS happens to need a little TLC at the same time a buddy who owed me a little cash just totaled his 350, but most of the front end parts are good, so we traded. So for the big parts I am not out much....just looks like one of those that wants to come together......you can remind me I said that in 2 months when I am up to my a$$ in alligators! It will end up being a winter project, no time to tackle it before the snow flies, but plan to have all the pieces sitting in various piles by then because I live in the sticks and it is a LONG way to the junk yard....like 200 miles.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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yea its tough not to throw the d60 in when
a) your ttb needs rebuilt
and
b) you have a d60 laying on the ground
a) your ttb needs rebuilt
and
b) you have a d60 laying on the ground
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,467
Likes: 5,534
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i personally hate the way a TTB 4X4 truck floats all over the road. with a D-60 up front, it drives like it should.
and if you put F-350 springs in it with the D-60, it will ride just as good or better than a F-250 with TTB.
the problem arises when people put a D-60 in a truck and leave the F-250 springs in it. then it will ride like a tank on square wheels.
and if you put F-350 springs in it with the D-60, it will ride just as good or better than a F-250 with TTB.
the problem arises when people put a D-60 in a truck and leave the F-250 springs in it. then it will ride like a tank on square wheels.
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Lead Driver
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i personally hate the way a TTB 4X4 truck floats all over the road. with a D-60 up front, it drives like it should.
and if you put F-350 springs in it with the D-60, it will ride just as good or better than a F-250 with TTB.
the problem arises when people put a D-60 in a truck and leave the F-250 springs in it. then it will ride like a tank on square wheels.
and if you put F-350 springs in it with the D-60, it will ride just as good or better than a F-250 with TTB.
the problem arises when people put a D-60 in a truck and leave the F-250 springs in it. then it will ride like a tank on square wheels.
not saying the ttb is superior to a d60 because in many ways its not. however, ride quality is certainly not its shortfall. that's not to say preferring the feel of a live axle isn't right. there are stability characteristics inherent in a live axle that cant be matched by IFS: for instance, stability in towing large loads/stability in carrying a heavy payload. not to mention the alignment issues associated with high tongue weight and/or payload.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,467
Likes: 5,534
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
not saying the ttb is superior to a d60 because in many ways its not. however, ride quality is certainly not its shortfall. that's not to say preferring the feel of a live axle isn't right. there are stability characteristics inherent in a live axle that cant be matched by IFS: for instance, stability in towing large loads/stability in carrying a heavy payload. not to mention the alignment issues associated with high tongue weight and/or payload.
that rite there is the reason why i do not like the TTB.
i have never had a TTB truck that got more than 10,000 miles out of a set of tires, or handled when loaded.
put a load in the truck and it was all over the road.
a solid axle you don't have those problems.
besides, if i want a car ride i will take the crown vic.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Plant city florida
both have their ups and downs FOR SURE.
the biggest problem with the TTB is alignment when you lift it and the simple fact that the d44 and d44hd ttb's are just weak when compared to a d60, but for very obvious reasons. the d50 ttb is a bit better but still, anything over 37s or a 6" lift is over the "generally accepted" limits, while a d60 is good for as much lift as you want and if stock 44s(which ofcourse wear it faster than normal, and have multiplicative affects on a d44, ttb or solid.
the biggest problem with the TTB is alignment when you lift it and the simple fact that the d44 and d44hd ttb's are just weak when compared to a d60, but for very obvious reasons. the d50 ttb is a bit better but still, anything over 37s or a 6" lift is over the "generally accepted" limits, while a d60 is good for as much lift as you want and if stock 44s(which ofcourse wear it faster than normal, and have multiplicative affects on a d44, ttb or solid.
Lead Driver
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more moving parts definitely opens up more possibility for alignment issues, but it's pretty simple to keep it aligned. ive always done the alignment in my driveway and I've never had premature tire wear in the front. rears always beat the fronts to the chords, as they should.
as for their lifespan, I ran the 50 unabashed for 8 years of 4 wheeling on 35's and 37's. blew the mazda trans, the 1345, but never the 50. the ONLY reason its not still in my truck today is worn u-joints. I couldn't justify the rebuild when I had a kpd60 staring me in the face. . .i did, however, keep the lift bracket in case i ever want the 50 again. no way, no how can i rally the truck as fast with the 60 as i can with the ttb, but it is nice to have it up there when i get violent on the drivetrain.
which one is better all depends on what you do with your truck. which is why i suggested to the op to think about the reasons he wanted to swap to make sure it was worth it.
as for their lifespan, I ran the 50 unabashed for 8 years of 4 wheeling on 35's and 37's. blew the mazda trans, the 1345, but never the 50. the ONLY reason its not still in my truck today is worn u-joints. I couldn't justify the rebuild when I had a kpd60 staring me in the face. . .i did, however, keep the lift bracket in case i ever want the 50 again. no way, no how can i rally the truck as fast with the 60 as i can with the ttb, but it is nice to have it up there when i get violent on the drivetrain.
which one is better all depends on what you do with your truck. which is why i suggested to the op to think about the reasons he wanted to swap to make sure it was worth it.
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