Drum to disk
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Not if the E-series also changed to the metric bolt pattern. When did the body style change in that timeframe? The pickup trucks were 8 on 6.5 until '97-ish, but the Super Duty trucks changed to the 8 on 170mm size.
If the vans kept the old pattern to '01, it might work. If not, you're in for a lot more work than just swapping disc brackets.
But speaking of brackets... Did the e-vans still have Dana rear ends? Or were they using Sterlings?
That might dictate whether it's just a bolt-on proposition, or you'd need custom mounts.
AS you can tell, I'm certainly no expert. So just throwing out some possibilities. Wait for someone that says they know for sure.
Good luck.
Paul
If the vans kept the old pattern to '01, it might work. If not, you're in for a lot more work than just swapping disc brackets.
But speaking of brackets... Did the e-vans still have Dana rear ends? Or were they using Sterlings?
That might dictate whether it's just a bolt-on proposition, or you'd need custom mounts.
AS you can tell, I'm certainly no expert. So just throwing out some possibilities. Wait for someone that says they know for sure.
Good luck.
Paul
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Sterling 10.25" introduced in 1985 F250/350, but some 1985's still used Dana rear axles. 1983/89 Light Duty F250's came with Ford 8.8's.
1975/91 E250/350's came with Dana's. I didn't look after 1991.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
As far as i know all 99+ E250/350 have Sterling axles with 8 x 6.5 bolt pattern. Leaf springs will bolt up. Shocks should. Driveshaft might need modification for length and I'm not sure what's involved with getting the e brakes working, whether stock cables will work or if custom cables are needed. It's not a bad swap and a cheap way to get a much beefier axle and modern brakes. Check the width, I believe they are wider than the stock axles by a couple inches, but IDK if it'll really matter.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 896
Likes: 55
From: Bothell
There may be some van axles that are narrower than others. Vans that were built for chassis cab type vans should have an axle that is 2" narrower than standard vans but this would still be wider than your current truck axle.
Another option for discs is a Dodge or GM axle. These will be 8x6.5 and should be closer to the width of your current axle. These could be 10.5" and 11.5" ring gear 14 bolt, dana 70, dana 80 and I think even dana 60. These axles should come from any late 90's truck up to when GM went to metric around 2011 and Dodge is still 8x6.5
Another option for discs is a Dodge or GM axle. These will be 8x6.5 and should be closer to the width of your current axle. These could be 10.5" and 11.5" ring gear 14 bolt, dana 70, dana 80 and I think even dana 60. These axles should come from any late 90's truck up to when GM went to metric around 2011 and Dodge is still 8x6.5
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1997/98 F250 Light Duty's use the same body as 1997 F150's and have 7 lug wheels.
Originally Posted by speedfreak78
As far as I know all 99+ E250/350 have Sterling axles. 
If you want to know what E250/350's used after 2001, I suggest that you send a P/M to FTE member JEFFFAFA who posts in the 1967/72 forum.
JEFFFAFA will know, as he's a Ford parts guy at a Phoenix AZ Ford dealership.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 757
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From: Cheyenne, Wy
How much wider is the 99 and older E250/350 housing compared to the 99 and newer housings? Do the spring perches need to be moved on all these axles (E series, dodge,gm) or will some of them line up with the 78/9 f250?
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
. IDK about GMs. Dodge SRW axles are just over 4" wider than the stock axle, I'll be running spacers up front to get the widths close to the same.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2017
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Thanks for all the information,I’m actually going to switch a 79 super cab f150,4x2, to a single wheel f350. Aiming to go with a 429,c6 combination,I picked up the van rear which happened to be geared 355 at the junkyard,cheap!was hoping to use it without a lot of fab work
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