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what will fit?
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what will fit?
Hey guys i have a 1973 f250 i want to put a dana 60 front axle instead of the 44, because i will be running 44's in the near future. What year axle will bolt in with the least modifications? I am going to be buying one soon so i want to start looking as soon as possible. Thanks.
Postmaster
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From: Auburn,Al
yes, it will bolt right in....pro is running a 78-79....the front is the same perch width on the highboy's....its behind the cab where the frame gets narrow. If you dont beleive me, go measure from centerpin-to-centerpin on the front of your truck....should be 32.5....thats the same perch width as a the d60 you want
to the best of my knowledge, all 73-79 f-250s and the the 78-79 350..even the 74-79 f150 supercabs(they were leaf sprung up front).....all these trucks have the same perch width up front....i know cause i have swapped axles between all of them
80-97 f-250's and 350's have a 36.5 perch width...im not sure about the new superduties
to the best of my knowledge, all 73-79 f-250s and the the 78-79 350..even the 74-79 f150 supercabs(they were leaf sprung up front).....all these trucks have the same perch width up front....i know cause i have swapped axles between all of them
80-97 f-250's and 350's have a 36.5 perch width...im not sure about the new superduties
Last edited by 85351ho; Feb 13, 2004 at 06:36 PM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
Good eye Rocket. Any of the Dana 60s will work, but like Ho mentioned the 78/79 will be the easiest to bolt up. Due to the narrower perches they have better clearance for turning too. I'm running a 88 D60 which is essesntially the same as the 78/79s (high pinion, kingpin, etc.) but you'd have to get creative with your hangers due to the perch width differences.
The pre 78 Dana 60s will bolt up too, but don't let anybody see you for a sucker and sell you one, they aren't worth the swap.
The pre 78 Dana 60s will bolt up too, but don't let anybody see you for a sucker and sell you one, they aren't worth the swap.
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How about the rear axle width difference between the '73-'79 F-250's and my '79 Supercab's current 9"? I have a '73 Dana 60 but it seems to measure 3-4" narrower hub to hub though I have not taken an accurate measurement. Is there a difference?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Auburn,Al
ok pro, i think i got this straight...you are running a 85-97 60 up front....in order to do that you had to move your springs out about 2inches on each side? did you get a smokin deal on a later 60 or sumthing?
just to try to clear things up...any 73-79 ford leaf sprung front will interchange....but the 78-79 dana 60 is the most desirable to bolt up...i misread your post or sumthing and i went around and double checked all my measurements....my 97 has a 36.5 perch width, my buddies 76 highboy has a 32 perch width, my 79 has a 32 perch width. so i just was wrong in the assumption that you were running a 78-79 dana 60
i hope this makes some sort of sense
oh yea, if i havent lost my mind, the 67-77 f-250's frames get narrower at the back of the cab....so the rear axles aint interchangable with the 67-79 f-150 or the 77.5-79 f-250
just to try to clear things up...any 73-79 ford leaf sprung front will interchange....but the 78-79 dana 60 is the most desirable to bolt up...i misread your post or sumthing and i went around and double checked all my measurements....my 97 has a 36.5 perch width, my buddies 76 highboy has a 32 perch width, my 79 has a 32 perch width. so i just was wrong in the assumption that you were running a 78-79 dana 60
i hope this makes some sort of sense
oh yea, if i havent lost my mind, the 67-77 f-250's frames get narrower at the back of the cab....so the rear axles aint interchangable with the 67-79 f-150 or the 77.5-79 f-250
Post Fiend
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From: Oregon
Yea, due to the wider perchs on the later year D60 my springs had to be moved outboard. Since everything was cut up to design the custom suspension this was no big deal. The axle was a trade, cost me nada, zip, zilch ...and since the only disadvantage of the later d60 over the 78/79 is a little bit of turning clearance it didn't matter to me. Well, I guess the extra fabrication is a disadvantage but since everythings been rearranged on my truck that didn't really matter.
Yes, the 73-79s are bolt up, and yes only the 78-79s are worth bolting up.
Only the 67-77 F-250 4x4s narrowed after the cab. The 2x4 F-250s had the normal rear frame width, so I'm guessing they would swap. Just guessing though.
It was a safe guess that I was running a 78/79 Ho, since this is what most guys swap in. As with most things, I'm a "special" case...
...and since the only disadvantage of the later d60 over the 78/79 is a little bit of turning clearance it didn't matter to me. Well, I guess the extra fabrication is a disadvantage but since everythings been rearranged on my truck that didn't really matter.Yes, the 73-79s are bolt up, and yes only the 78-79s are worth bolting up.
Only the 67-77 F-250 4x4s narrowed after the cab. The 2x4 F-250s had the normal rear frame width, so I'm guessing they would swap. Just guessing though.
It was a safe guess that I was running a 78/79 Ho, since this is what most guys swap in. As with most things, I'm a "special" case...