Axle swap
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: IL
Axle swap
My son, has a friend that wants to remove the front axle from his truck, it's from his 97 f250 and replace it with a straight axle. It would be a 4x4 to 4x4 swap. He says his friend has all parts supplied and is offering my son $2k to do the conversion for him, giving my son 2 to 3 weeks to do it. But my son works 50+ hours per week. Is this enough time and what is involved in doing the swap?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 882
Likes: 11
From: Eastern CT
I guess it really depends on how motivated your son is. How rusty is the truck? Really it's not too bad to switch the axles, just takes time. It's basically the four U-bolts that hold the axle on to the leaf springs, the four bolts that hold the leaf springs to the truck, the steering linkages, the driveshaft AND flange on the t case, and the brakes that can right back on the new axle. I would say the biggest issue would be the pitman arm, track bar and the flange for the t case so you can use the double cardon joint. He would also have to change the block on the rear axle also to make the truck sit right. I'm sure that I'm forgetting a few things here.
Red
Red
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 32
From: Maryville, TN
Originally Posted by Red97350
I guess it really depends on how motivated your son is. How rusty is the truck? Really it's not too bad to switch the axles, just takes time. It's basically the four U-bolts that hold the axle on to the leaf springs, the four bolts that hold the leaf springs to the truck, the steering linkages, the driveshaft AND flange on the t case, and the brakes that can right back on the new axle. I would say the biggest issue would be the pitman arm, track bar and the flange for the t case so you can use the double cardon joint. He would also have to change the block on the rear axle also to make the truck sit right. I'm sure that I'm forgetting a few things here.
Red
Red
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 882
Likes: 11
From: Eastern CT
As long as the 97 F250 is the Heavy Duty (OBS) style, then the TTB is mounted with leaf springs. Come to think of it, the light duty versions wouldn't have had a TTB, I'm pretty sure they had the F150 style front axle with the CV joints. It's a bolt in upgrade and you shouldn't need to drill any holes, unless you're doing a RSK.
Red
Red
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Joined: May 2011
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If he's going to do the work, there are A LOT of things that need to be defined here....
97 f250: light duty or heavy duty? Makes a world of difference
What axle does he have to swap in? Coil or leaf sprung axle?
What associated parts does this guy have in order to achieve the swap?
97 f250: light duty or heavy duty? Makes a world of difference
What axle does he have to swap in? Coil or leaf sprung axle?
What associated parts does this guy have in order to achieve the swap?
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VT Chapter Ldr
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 96,140
Likes: 294
From: Orange, Vermont
If it is the OBS f250, hopefully he has the brackets that bolt to the cross member under the oil pan, the 350 pitman arm and 350 springs. You can use the 250 pitman arm but steering will suck. Will feel like a dead spot at center, the turning radius will be increased and the 250 springs are way too stiff. Be like riding a wooden bench down stairs. Have a sawzall and good blades if any bolts are rusted in the spring eyes, or some other way to get them out. One of the hardest parts when I did it was changing the pitman arm. I had to cut section out of the original one to get it off. Plus both are heavy when you are doing it by yourself. Just be sure he has all the brackets and bolts needed.
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