Axle swap
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,152
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From: Burbank, WA
No. The spring spacing is wider on the 53-56 trucks than on the 48-52's, so it will not bolt up. You will need to use the proper year axle (48-52 F1/3 are the same). What are you planning to accomplish with the axle change?
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2015
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I want to go to a 5 bolt rather than the 8bolt and I thought swaping the axle would be faster than swaping spindles. Will these spindles work? Or am I going to have to cut and move the springs to make it work? Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 381
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From: Ga.
I have just the opposite problem, I have a 53 axle on a 48 F1. Just found a used 48 axle and purchased a disk brake swap with the 5 on 5-1/2 bolt circle. I also need to get a new set of spindles. Once I get that all squared away I will look at the linkage to see what I need there.
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
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From: northwest MT
No need to swap axles or spindles, just remove the F-3 brakes and hubs and bolt the 5 lug parts on.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
IMHO If you start trying to make the later axle fit the earlier truck, you are headed down a very slippery slope you may never be able to recover from. Resell the later axle if in good shape and use the money to buy a correct axle or brake/hub parts, or write it off as one of those purchased before researching, or "it was cheap" mistakes we've all made. Much less expensive and safer in the long run, not to mention easier.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
I don't have much experience with the larger trucks, but Tinman has so I'm confident he is right about swapping brake and hub parts. I wasn't sure when I read his post if he was talking about using F1 brake parts or if the F100 parts from your new purchased axle would interchange onto your existing spindles?
I was commenting on your statement that you were going to try to move the springs on your chassis to match the F100 axle width. That's what I would not recommend.
I was commenting on your statement that you were going to try to move the springs on your chassis to match the F100 axle width. That's what I would not recommend.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Yep, its my understanding that the axles and spindles are the same on the F-1, F-2, and F-3 trucks. Just replace the backing plates and hubs and you should be good to go.
I'm not 100% on the backing plates, I don't know if they are different or not.
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
The backing plates/brakes are different, but the spindles are all the same F-1 to F-3.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,152
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From: Burbank, WA
According to the Ford parts catalog, the backing plates, shoes and hardware are the same for 48-55 F1/F100 (which is as new as my catalog goes. Presumably 56 is the same). But the drums and hubs are different between the 48-52 and 53-55. Bottom line is, the backing plates and brake parts from the 56 F100 should fit on your 52 F3 spindles, but you'll likely need different drums.
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