Frame, axle swap
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2018
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From: Butler, OK
Frame, axle swap
Been asked before, im sure. But is the frame of the 250/350/450 the same? I have a local parts truck being sold, its a 450, dually... if i swap the springs and rear axle under my frame, is it effectually going to work as a 450 at that point, or are there limiting factors im unaware of?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Ponca City, OK
Legally no. GVWR is set when the truck is built and no amount of modifications can change it. Basically you'd get a heavier rear diff and stiffer springs, plus a different wheel pattern.
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2018
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From: Butler, OK
Fair, but this truck is farm/local work, not commercial, so im not trying to change the vin plate, as it were. I wasnt aware the wheel pattern was different on the 450s
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Middle Georgia
If the superduty trucks are anything like the older trucks, then not physically either.
On the older trucks the frames were built stronger as it moved up as well. Thicker frame metals and taller/beefier frame rails among other things.
Now for a farm truck, even the F-150 and F-250 are a lot stronger than they are rated for. I probably wouldn't hesitate to overload either in the farm, but it would stay on the farm.
On the older trucks the frames were built stronger as it moved up as well. Thicker frame metals and taller/beefier frame rails among other things.
Now for a farm truck, even the F-150 and F-250 are a lot stronger than they are rated for. I probably wouldn't hesitate to overload either in the farm, but it would stay on the farm.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Douglassville, PA
Something else to check on...I believe that the 450's are chassis trucks and have heard that chassis trucks have different frame widths. That doesn't mean you can't swap in a dually axle but you'd have to move the spring perches and maybe tool around with the shock mounts. I have also heard that dually axles are different lengths (widths) than non duallies.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Ponca City, OK
Just did a quick search, and looks like the springs are about 2.5-3 inches shorter from the mounting pin back. It is all doable but there are easier and cheaper ways to your end goal. Heck pick up some junkyard springs and beef up your set with some extra leaves. The rear end should handle anything within reason you would throw at it, and if you want to step outside of reason they sell axle truss kits.
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2018
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From: Butler, OK
Just did a quick search, and looks like the springs are about 2.5-3 inches shorter from the mounting pin back. It is all doable but there are easier and cheaper ways to your end goal. Heck pick up some junkyard springs and beef up your set with some extra leaves. The rear end should handle anything within reason you would throw at it, and if you want to step outside of reason they sell axle truss kits.
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Why not swap the body and engine of your current truck onto the frame and running chassis of the F-450? Assuming the frame, springs, axles, brakes, wheels, and driveline are present and serviceable.
Swapping engines (and PCMs) would actually be a lot easier than swapping axles and springs. There are a LOT of differences between the 250/350 wide frame pickup chassis versus the 450/550 narrow frame cab chassis. But there isn't much difference in the diesel engine, other than the PCM for the emissions calibration and shift scheduling if auto, and the differences that apply to incremental changes made to the 7.3L engine that applied to all 1999-2003 F-Series 250-550 applications.
Swapping engines (and PCMs) would actually be a lot easier than swapping axles and springs. There are a LOT of differences between the 250/350 wide frame pickup chassis versus the 450/550 narrow frame cab chassis. But there isn't much difference in the diesel engine, other than the PCM for the emissions calibration and shift scheduling if auto, and the differences that apply to incremental changes made to the 7.3L engine that applied to all 1999-2003 F-Series 250-550 applications.
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