I was just told that my front axle housing is bent. Because I have been unable to find an axle housing I have begun the search for an entire axle. I am looking for a Dana 44 front axle. The problem is that I don't know what years are interchangeable.

I used a parts book to decode my VIN and the number is for a 1975 F-250 2 wheel drive 460. The problem is that it's a 4x4. When I bought it the guy told me that it was a '75 with a '79 grill and the factory 460. The more I work on the truck the more I'm beginning to think it's a '78 or '79 4x4 with a '75 cab. I read a book a few weeks ago that said that Ford did not put the 460 in the F-250 4x4 trucks. The starter that matched was listed under a '78 because it did not have the attached solenoid, and the brake lines were also from a '78 but the shop said they did not fit well and needed to be modified. The master cylinder is from a '75 F-150, and other parts have come from different years. Now I have absolutely no idea what year my truck is and find myself spending hours at parts stores trying to match parts before buying them. A local 4x4 shop took a look at the the frame and said that it is not a 2 wheel drive truck that was converted to 4x4. Now I don't know who to believe. Is there a way to find out what year the truck is?

The problem started with the need for a new front axle housing and is getting more and more frustrating. I called the local Ford dealer and they told me the part number for a front axle housing is the same from 1973 to 1997 but it is an obsolete part. The only local front axle is from a '93 F-250 4x4. When I called the shop that will be doing the work they told me that the '90s axles are different (high pinion with different spring widths) and I should look for an axle closer to the year of my truck. One call to a junk yard got me the response that axles were the same from 1973-1976, 1977 was alone, and 1978-1979 was the same.

First I need to find out what year my truck actually is because the VIN attached to the cab has been no help in buying parts. Second I need to find out what year and/or type trucks used the same axles so that I can narrow my search and get the old Ford back on the road. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Ford did not make a 4wd Supercab until '78 (maybe '771/2). Does the vin# on your frame match the one on the cab?

 

You probably have one of the many "Frankenstein" trucks that have been modified with parts from many vehicles over the years. It may not have a "year" that would help you in any way. Salvage yard operators may have books with casting codes and crossovers that may help. You need to find a good Ford truck salvage yard.

 

Where on the frame do I look for a VIN? Also, are there any other numbers I should try and find to help? The biggest problem right now is finding out which trucks had an axle that will fit without fabrication.

 

At this point the choice is yours - you are not bound by year (other than the fabrication issue as you have mentioned).

I think the best thing to do now is to get the bill of materials number off of your current axle. Then post this in the transmission/axle forum and ask someone to decode it. Then you will know exactly what you have now and can decide what will be interchangeable. Usually the b.o.m. number is stamped on one of the axle tubes - it will start with a 6. You may have to take a wire brush to the axle to be able to find it.

I think the frame vin # is on the top of the right frame rail somewhere alongside the engine. I could be wrong though - try a search.