Ive got an idea and im wondering how much work it would be to make it come to life. I know everyone swaps the TTB for the D60s however im cheap. This guy I know has a 73 F250 single cab thrown on a shortened 87 or 88 F350 4wd Super Cab chassis with a service bed. Sometime since it was parked and now the rear axles been torn apart and the D60 was sold for scrap. My buddy has a Bullnose up at his ranch thats 6.9 IDI 4 speed with the TTB. If I were to buy the bullnose and take the axles out of it would they just bolt to the Bricknose frame with minimal work? Im a dentside guy and im not familliar with the differences of the chassis of the more modern trucks.

 

You're much better off getting a D60. Probably end up costing less.

 

Also technically you cannot use a 1/2 ton axle on an F250. For inspection

 

You lost me.

 

The bullnose is a F250. So I think it would be a D44 with the 8 lug and the I assume D60 rear id be using.

 

I believe that would be a D44 HD or a D50.

 

Ahh ok, cool yeah I dont know much about these. Im just thinking if I were to throw it together and make some thing work. I find it funny theres no forums I could find about swapping TTB into a Solid truck.

 

I really like the TTB on my f150, however the leaf spring models ride like a forklift on a gravel road.

 

fixed that for ya...

ttb= wtf. Henry Ford was an obstinate old goat, and the company kept some of that character long after he died...

t

 

If you knew the gravel road in question, that wouldn't be necessary perhaps I should have included the potholes.

 

Doesnt suprise me, my uncle has a 96 F250 with a service bed and it doesnt ride all that bad in my opinion. Im not really worried with ride quality personally my current 4wd is leaf sprung all the way around its a "highboy" so there is no comfort in offroading with it. However it will take you wherever you want to go. I just need to know if I can do what im talking about doing. I know on dentsides I can 4wd convert a 2wd pretty easy as my white truck has been but theres no way I could convert a 4wd to 2wd because of the different crossmembers for the I beams. Im hoping its not the same case with TTB swapping this chassis otherwise I cant do it. Trying to get it running cheaply and not dump 3k into a D60. Heres some pictures of the engine bay and where they shortened the frame for the single cab. I dont have any pictures of the front underside though.

 

I would not be surprised if it just bolted directly in.

Looking at Torqueking’s website, they do not differentiate - the parts are all listed for 1980 through 1997, for the D44 and D50 TTB.

Take a good look at the engine cross members and make sure they are the same and that it is drilled for the pivot brackets. If not, locating them would probably be the biggest job.

Pitman arm will be different.

Steering components. They are different. Make sure you get those from the donor.

Front drive shaft. If you still have the one from the D60, it may work fine. Going the other way, most times it is recommended to replace the F250 d/s with a donor from the F350 / D60.

Transfer case yoke if replacing the front driveshaft. They are different.

Front sway bar, different mounts. To the front bolt in cross members, I can see it there in the picture.

Leaf springs. Although, you would gain some real lift from those F350 springs, they say they are susceptible to cracking from the twisting motion of the TTB arc of travel. You’ll also have to deal with drop brackets, not the stock pivot brackets, for alignment.

Rear axle lift blocks. F350 = 4.25”. F250 = 2”. You may have to change those out if using the TTB. The TTB will sit lower than the D60.

If using the bullnose truck, bring the whole truck home if you can. If not Rob everything related out if. Transfercase, leaf springs, pivot brackets, steering gear box, sway bar and mounts and cross member bracket, rear lift blocks and axle.


Cost - Much cheaper to find a D50 TTB than a D60. $3k you mention would be on the cheap today for a D60. A beat up rusty bare axle today is selling for $800. Good ones are listed now for $1,450 - $1,850 usd, as removed, still requiring a complete disassembly and rebuild. (If by chance you do- Have a good look at the RH u bolt plate pad, it is welded to the axle. Twice now I’ve seen them packed with dirt and rusting out, requiring replacement.) Assuming you can get the whole TTB setup on the cheap, it’ll be cheaper than buying and rebuilding a 60. If the 44/50 TTB needs rebuilding, keep in mind it can get expensive as well. All depends on the donor you have lined up, and what you want to end up with when you’re done.


EDIT: Just re read your post, I didn’t realize the frame was shortened. I’d also want to be doing something with those frame welds. Plating them, and probably grinding down the welds and re welding, I see holes in the welds.

I would probably be pretty limited in what I’d be willing to spend on this as well. If I think of anything to add, I’ll come back and edit the above list.


Don’t forget brakes as well.. No matter what you go with, unless it is right there locally, complete, usable and cheap, it will be expensive today to replace the entire front end from scratch.

 

You can't pass inspection with half ton running gear on an F250. It's just one of the rules. You can only go up. Not down.

 

can it be dont? yes. is it worth it? no.
in the long run, it would be cheaper to find the proper D-60 and just stuff it under there.
to put a D-50 IFS setup in, you will need all the IFS steering components, IFS springs, IFS mount drop bracket, and IFS pitman arm. and if it has any lift at all you will have to figure out what it is and match it to get the front alignment rite. otherwise you will destroy front tires REAL quick

 

I don’t know where you are coming up with this response. No one is talking about using the front axle from a F-150.

As you can see, the truck being worked on is a F-350 and the parts truck is a F-250