Hey guys, not sure if anyone else is interested so here goes. I picked up a 9.75 couple months back from a 01 E150 5.4. Couldn't argue with $100 for it wish it had the disk set up on it but that is a simple swap. I found so far this to be much easier than once thought.

1st problem;
Reluctor ring, they are different between 8.8 and 9.75- after doing hours of searching easy to find info on the 8.8, the 9.75 not so much but I did find one glimmer of hope before I bought it saying the tooth count. Seeing 97-03 guys swapping to made me wonder but their swap is a piece of cake. After I got it home pulled the cover to find same count. one hurdle crossed.

2nd problem;
The econoline is wider roughly(notes are in garage) 2 1/2" wider overall than our 8.8s 1 1/4" each side wider is not a big deal to me. 7.3 guys that regular that forum will remember Johns2001 member and I took all the measurements and cut the old perches off ground smooth, I had ordered the new perches and shock mounts already. I brought up the chassis that was suppose to be for the F150 with ranger body project(RUST FAIL) pulled the 8.8 and set down and on the new perches had to be drilled out so the leaf bolt would set down in them set angle and centered made sure it was all good. So far it looks great and falls in looks like it should be there.

3rd problem;
Shocks and sway bar, I have new shock mounts so no big deal sway bar 9.75 center section is wider. Once the 8.8 was out of the way and the 9.75 was under I was happy to see the OEM junk shocks on the mock up frame fell right in place no moving them required, Sway bar cut locating tabs off 8.8 mounts and it will work just fine.

Why? well as it stands I am running 04 F250 leafs on the back of my truck, the newer trucks all run the 9.75 and the 400 that is sitting waiting in the garage will be in this truck. For $100 I paid for it same 3.55 with trac lock that works like a champ I couldn't pass it up.

From the looks of it( I didn't take all the drum parts they all stayed under the van, a budget minded person could keep the drums and keep the stock wheels , to run the disk set up you will need 16" rims being they run a 13" rotor. Also a lot of people were under the impression that like the Fseries in 97 the econoline went metric pattern, they did not a 5 lug van is still 5.5x5, 8 lug 6.5x8.

If anyone is interested let me know I have been trying to take pics as it goes, I will put them up.

Thanks
Curtis

 

Isn't a Sterling a bolt-in pretty much? Why go to the trouble of moving spring perches etc.

Serious question, not criticizing.

 

Yes the sterling 10.25 from the F250+ is, I am swapping in the half ton minded way 9.75 the little guy that they put behind the 5.4 in the F150s and E150s. The stock perches on the econoline axle to the leaf springs on the F150 no where near close. The E series frame is wider flange to flange on it was 62 3/16" vs truck 59 11/16"ish. So overall width is wider frame width is wider perches need to change location.

No big deal, rather have questions better understood maybe someone else would want to swap one in too. Guess I should update my signature, only thing true 3/4 ton it will have will be hybrid D44/50 front end D50 3rd member, shafts lower ball joint mount knuckles dynatrac 5.5x5 D60 hubs but that is a whole different story, thread, headache.

Curtis

 

By the sound of it he is looking at the 9.75 to gain disk brakes and retain his 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. Something the sterling can do neither of

 

Ok thanks, I meant to directly ask (or look up myself) what the bolt pattern was. Makes way more sense to me now that I know it's the 5 on 5.5. I was thinking: "if the bolt pattern is different, that's a lot of work for discs when properly-maintained Drums work so well".

I learned something today!

 

Not just disk the 9.75 in general is just beefier axle, the 400 I have I believe the 8.8 would cry. So before just putting a big engine in make the whole drivetrain set up to handle it. I have a tendency to get to the speed limit quick, haul with it, rescue other peoples broken junk, I don't want to get this thing done and be the one in need of a rescue due to broken drivetrain parts.

Curtis