I have an 85 F250, 302, 4x4. I need to rebuild the entire front drive end, but would also like to swap out the IFS for a solid axle and figure it would be better to swap now then to waste money rebuilding. What will fit under an 85 F250? IS there a Dana 50 solid axle or should I find a Dana 60? I know the gear ratio is 3.55 in the rear, so 3.54 will work in the front, just need to know what year truck I should be looking for. And any other hints/tips I should be aware of.

 

Well you have two options for a solid axle - dana 60 or dana 44. The dana 50 is a ttb axle. (early superduty's with single rear wheels had straight axle 50's). For your truck to convert to a 60 front you need an axle from an 85 to 97 F350 and everything that touches it, which includes the track bar and front drive shaft and steering. You can use a 78-79 60 but it involves alot of fabrication - the differential is too far inward which means torching the center cross member, lifting the truck a good deal, or some of both. You also need to fab a track bar and mounting brackets, as well as figure out some way to mount the drivers side leaf springs. To swap in a 78-79 F250 dana 44 you just need to put new spring perches on and make a track bar. A new perch can be welded right beside the factory perch on the pumpkin because the 44's case is narrower. I have seen this one done, and it isn't nearly the job that using an early 60 is, but you won't gain much for strength - but you will get much better tire wear with any straight axle. Using a 78-79 44 or 60 will still be a guessing game on what you neen for steering. Using the later 60, just use the F350 components. I swaped a 60 into my 91 F250 using an 87 F350 axle. It all bolts in. Also the transfer case yoke is different for the dual cardan F350 driveshaft, so get it if your using the F350 driveshaft. Good luck

 

thanks for the info

 

I just discovered that my axles arent what I thought they were. I have a GVW of 6600 with a regular ford axle in the rear, so I can only assume I have a Dana 44 IFS in the front. What needs to be done to swap the IFS 44 to a solid 44?
As a side note, I dont plan on running larger tires nor do I plan on plowing. It is just a 4x4 truck, I am not planning on doing any off roading other than hunting. So I dont need super strong, but would eventually like to restore the truck as much as possible.

 

same still applies