4x4 swap
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2024
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4x4 swap
I have a 2000 f450 7.3 sf6 2wd. It has a solid front axle. Im wanting to do a 4x4 swap. Lets just say 1 inch of snow defeated me today lol.
All that said, Ive found a front axle, a dana 60. but its off a f250. Is a dana 60 off an f450 diffent. Spring wise I wouldnt think itd matter being the leafs mount to the truck.
Do f450 use differents knuckles to compesate fror the bigger brakes?
Any help would be much appreciated?
All that said, Ive found a front axle, a dana 60. but its off a f250. Is a dana 60 off an f450 diffent. Spring wise I wouldnt think itd matter being the leafs mount to the truck.
Do f450 use differents knuckles to compesate fror the bigger brakes?
Any help would be much appreciated?
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
I have a 2000 f450 7.3 sf6 2wd. It has a solid front axle. Im wanting to do a 4x4 swap. Lets just say 1 inch of snow defeated me today lol.
All that said, Ive found a front axle, a dana 60. but its off a f250. Is a dana 60 off an f450 diffent. Spring wise I wouldnt think itd matter being the leafs mount to the truck.
Do f450 use differents knuckles to compesate fror the bigger brakes?
Any help would be much appreciated?
All that said, Ive found a front axle, a dana 60. but its off a f250. Is a dana 60 off an f450 diffent. Spring wise I wouldnt think itd matter being the leafs mount to the truck.
Do f450 use differents knuckles to compesate fror the bigger brakes?
Any help would be much appreciated?
The axle tubes (and consequently inner axle shafts) are about 1.25" longer than standard F250/350 fare. The steering tie rod is also longer to accommodate the longer axle tubes and distance between the knuckles. The 8x170 to 8x225 wheel adapters aren't as wide as the F350's dually adapters which is why the axle tubes are longer. That being said, the ball joints and the attachment points are identical. The wheel bearings are identical (4x4 models - obviously the monotube F450 ones don't have holes for the axle shafts). The knuckles are obviously different to accept the larger brake pads and 14.5" rotors.
Realistically a guy could bolt in the F250/F350 axle, attach the F450 wheel adapters and run it. Leaf spring clearance on full-lock turns will likely result in severe rubbing as the track width will be decreased by 3 inches (the tires will be even more sucked-in than they already are).
Last edited by cleatus12r; Jan 28, 2026 at 07:32 PM.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
I put an F450 monotube in my 2000 F250 2wd just in case you're curious about my credibility concerning the differences. I didn't go from a regular F250 4x4 but I own enough of them as well as having a heap of the axles laying around.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 39
Likes: 4
Ok so if Im understanding you correct the axle tube itself, bare bones strickly the dana 60, On a 2000 f250 would be slighty shorter in horizontal lenght, compared to a dana 60 that would go on a 2000 f450.
Or are you saying, that if I were to simply take that f250 axle fully assembled. (knuck and everything) and mount it to my truck, thats how Id wind up narrower.
Or are you saying, that if I were to simply take that f250 axle fully assembled. (knuck and everything) and mount it to my truck, thats how Id wind up narrower.
Last edited by 2000F-450_7.3ZF6; Jan 28, 2026 at 08:40 PM.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
The wheel mounting surface distance (overall width from the wheel hub flange) is narrower on the F250/350 axle due to the axle tube length. A standard F250/350 axle assembly in your F450 with the F450 8x225 wheel adapters will look like a railroad pickup from the front (or a 99-04 F250/350 with 05-up wheels and no spacers).
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
The standard gear ratios that were offered in the first generation of F450/550 were typically 4.88:1, 5.13:1, or 5.38:1 while most F250/350 pickups came with 3.73:1 with 4.10:1 being less common and 4.30:1 even more rare (and typically mostly in 5.4L and 6.8L -equipped pickups).
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 39
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If i were to swap to an f450 knuckle, would that then net me narrower still?
Apologies brother, I need to take a little time to do some research, myself. Ive just been a tad busy.
Thanks for all your guys time by the way.
Essentialy my question is, if I were to pick up that 250 axle, is there anything I could do to male it work, without narrowing the track width.
Again apologies for my lack of understanding
Apologies brother, I need to take a little time to do some research, myself. Ive just been a tad busy.
Thanks for all your guys time by the way.
Essentialy my question is, if I were to pick up that 250 axle, is there anything I could do to male it work, without narrowing the track width.
Again apologies for my lack of understanding
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Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
If i were to swap to an f450 knuckle, would that then net me narrower still?
Apologies brother, I need to take a little time to do some research, myself. Ive just been a tad busy.
Thanks for all your guys time by the way.
Essentialy my question is, if I were to pick up that 250 axle, is there anything I could do to male it work, without narrowing the track width.
Again apologies for my lack of understanding
Apologies brother, I need to take a little time to do some research, myself. Ive just been a tad busy.
Thanks for all your guys time by the way.
Essentialy my question is, if I were to pick up that 250 axle, is there anything I could do to male it work, without narrowing the track width.
Again apologies for my lack of understanding
Nothing can SAFELY be done to increase the track width as you'd essentially need 1.25"-1.50" 8x170 wheel spacers to put on before bolting on the 8x170-8x225 dually adapters. That's a spacer on a spacer.....no thanks!
Or carry two spare tires and use an F350 dually spacer as the F350 dually adapters are 1.5" longer than the F450 ones. BUT....Nothing smaller than a 19.5" wheel will fit over the 14.5" brakes so unless you want to just run the standard F250 13" rotors, you're out of luck there too.
Yep, Ford is that retarded.
EDIT:
If you do go with the F250 axle, get the tie rod too as the F450 one is too long and you'll never get enough adjustment out of it to get rid of severe negative toe (toe out).
Last edited by cleatus12r; Jan 29, 2026 at 05:29 PM.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 39
Likes: 4
Lol.
Hey ive got another question for ya. Im looking at a f550 part out, its a 4x4, manuel tranfer case, but and automatic transmison.
Question; does the automatic transfer case work with a zf6.
Obously id have to switch tail housings and that stupid output shaft on my zf6, but even after that will it still mesh with an automatic transfercase.
Hey ive got another question for ya. Im looking at a f550 part out, its a 4x4, manuel tranfer case, but and automatic transmison.
Question; does the automatic transfer case work with a zf6.
Obously id have to switch tail housings and that stupid output shaft on my zf6, but even after that will it still mesh with an automatic transfercase.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
Lol.
Hey ive got another question for ya. Im looking at a f550 part out, its a 4x4, manuel tranfer case, but and automatic transmison.
Question; does the automatic transfer case work with a zf6.
Obously id have to switch tail housings and that stupid output shaft on my zf6, but even after that will it still mesh with an automatic transfercase.
Hey ive got another question for ya. Im looking at a f550 part out, its a 4x4, manuel tranfer case, but and automatic transmison.
Question; does the automatic transfer case work with a zf6.
Obously id have to switch tail housings and that stupid output shaft on my zf6, but even after that will it still mesh with an automatic transfercase.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 39
Likes: 4
Well Cleatus, you sir are in deed correct. I did my dudiligence today with a tape measure. Sure enough, F450 axles are about 3 inches bigger. My mono tube ball joint to ball joint center on center was 57 or so, an f250 dana 60 53 inches
You saved me some time and money thank you very much, and to everyone whos commented so far
That said contingent on how this f550 fares condition wise, Ill probally get my axle from that and hopefully just use it as a donor truck
You saved me some time and money thank you very much, and to everyone whos commented so far
That said contingent on how this f550 fares condition wise, Ill probally get my axle from that and hopefully just use it as a donor truck
Last edited by 2000F-450_7.3ZF6; Jan 30, 2026 at 03:06 PM.
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