OBS solid axle swap question
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Freshman User
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OBS solid axle swap question
Hey fellas I have a question about my solid axle swap. I have a 97 obs and am swapping in a kingpin axle, my question is, what all do I need to get for the steering? I'm assuming I can't use the old f250 stuff. Does anyone have the part numbers? Or should I just go to my local parts store and get all new f350 steering components for the year of the axle? It was a small oversite on my part. I have the RSK and new superduty springs installed and have the axle back in and am assembling it now. Thanks for any replies.
Steve
Steve
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
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Is it a street truck, or is it going to see some abuse? The Chevy conversion is way stronger and will last way longer do to the size of the tie rod ends. Probably cheaper too if you have to buy it all anyway. Ruffstuff Chevy 1 ton tie rod conversion.
VT Chapter Ldr
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Orange, Vermont
You need the f350 pitman arm for the steering box. The f250 is different enough to make a big difference in turning radius and road feel. I put a 91 king pin in my 96 250. I just get the parts for the year truck it is out of, or reuse what is there if in good shape.
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It's a street truck, pretty much no off-road use besides getting firewood. If my old stuff will work I will use it but if it's better to get the f350 steering and make it stear correctly then I'd rather do that.
Fleet Mechanic
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The 1 ton Pittman arm is needed either way. It's longer then the 3/4ton. The stock steering pieces are more expensive then the upgraded stuff but either will work. Chevy tie rods are like 20 dollars compared to 80 or so for the ford
New User
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Hey guys. I just joined FTE. I'm about to start a sas on my 97 f250hd 7.3. I managed to find a d60 out of a 97 f350 dually complete with the springs, trackbar/bracket, sway bar, all steering components including the pitman arm and the front driveshaft. I have already confirmed my 250 hubs and bearings will fit right up to the d60 (thanks to fte and the local auto parts store) my only question is will the 350 driveshaft fit my 250 transfer case? I didn't think about that when I picked up everything else. I can't find a part number for the yoke on the transfer case on either truck. I did crawl under and measure with a tape measure and it looks like my yoke is the same size as the new driveshaft but I've seen posts saying I need the yoke from the 350. I would have pulled the driveshaft out but it's been in the single digits and windy. Is it possible the f250hd has the larger yoke that the 350 uses? I want to make sure I have EVERYTHING to complete the job before I start since I will be using a friends shop and can't take any chances of not completing the job within a weekend.
Please chime in if I missed anything.
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Fleet Mechanic
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Street beast, start a thread on your truck. The 97 f350 has a 4407 transfer case. 96 and 97 has the 4407. If your front shaft has a single u ujiont at the case then you would want to change to a double carden(cv) to avoid vibrations at higher speeds. If this is the way you want to go then you can change the centering yoke on the f350 shaft to one from say a 95. Then get a yoke from a 95 f350(same case as yours now) for the cv setup
New User
Joined: Jan 2018
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I have the complete driveshaft including the cardanic joint from the doner f350 already. I looked up the u joints for the doner truck and my truck. The doner takes 3 of the same demension u joints. It says mine takes offset u joints with different size caps but from what I can measure with a tape measure mine aren't offset or have different sized caps. I know it's the original driveshaft and u joints because I bought the truck off my brother who got it new. So no issues finding out any history on the truck. It's a balmy 20* and no wind so I'll pull my driveshaft out tonight so I can match everything up. If I have any issues I'll start my own thread. Thanks.
New User
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So if both the 250 and 350 use the same U joint, why will I need to replace my yoke? My yoke should accept the current u joint that's on the cardanic joint and already has the correct spline for my transfer case. Am I missing something? The 350 driveshaft that I have looks like this. If I remember correctly mine is held on with u bolts. Is there a clearance issue with my current yoke and mounting hardware and the cardanic joint?
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Does anyone know the overall length of their drag link knuckle to knuckle and the tie rod from pitman arm to draglink? I know I need to get it aligned but I bought all new stuff and just want to get it close.