Front hub swap
New User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6
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Front hub swap
I have an 86 f-150 with a dana 44ttb up front and I was wondering if the hubs and rotors off of an f-250 with an 8 bolt pattern will fit in place of the 5 bolt pattern that are on the truck now? i'm going to be swapping in a 10.25sterling in the rear and would like to have the same bolt pattern front and rear?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
Front hub swap
Pete ,
The only thing I can think of right off is if the axles will be the same ? Im thinking the Dana 60 was used on the F250 . As long as the axles have the same number of splines I dont see why you couldnt swap in the F250 hubs . Oh ...are the F250 rotors larger in diameter ? ...if they are then youll run into trouble with the calipers. Ive never run into this type of swap before so Im just thinking of the obvious things .
Paul
The only thing I can think of right off is if the axles will be the same ? Im thinking the Dana 60 was used on the F250 . As long as the axles have the same number of splines I dont see why you couldnt swap in the F250 hubs . Oh ...are the F250 rotors larger in diameter ? ...if they are then youll run into trouble with the calipers. Ive never run into this type of swap before so Im just thinking of the obvious things .
Paul
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 242
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From: St. Paul, MN
Front hub swap
I am doing the exact same thing you are except this will be on my '88 Bronco. I have pretty much exhausted every option and it looks like it won't be possible. Look back about a month or so and you'll see my post asking the same thing- still waiting on Philip Guidry to come up with any more info from the Dana/Spicer book if there is any. Basically I looked at swapping the Dana 44HD knuckle onto my Dana 44 and the F-250 knuckle ball joints are about 3/8" farther apart, so no go. Then I looked at redrilling the Dana 44 knuckle to use the 44HD spindle but then I run into the problem of the F-250 rotor being too big in diameter at the center hub section and interfering with the calipers. The axle shaft part isn't a problem, just swap out the outer stub shafts to the F-250 style. If anyone else has any ideas, let us know. I'm beginning my lift and rear axle swap next week and now is the time.
Thanks,
Dustin Siebert
mrlaserboy(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Home Page: http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/gear/40
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'88 Bronco XLT 302EFI/AOD/BW1356,44IFS(open),8.8(open)/3.55/31"
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Thanks,
Dustin Siebert
mrlaserboy(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Home Page: http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/gear/40
http://www.superford.org/cgi-bin/sf.cgi?uid=default&vr2=1&ID=201
'88 Bronco XLT 302EFI/AOD/BW1356,44IFS(open),8.8(open)/3.55/31"
2 BIG BRONCOS 4X4 CLUB - GREAT LAKES CHAPTER
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 188
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From: Latrobe USA
Front hub swap
I've done this to my 94 F150. It's not real hard.
You need to get a early 70's to early 80's light duty Chevy 3/4 ton front axle (or at least the axles, spindles, brake caliper holders and the bolts that hold the spindle on. Your Ford bolts only hold the spindle and aren't long enough. Everything from the chevy bolts up but you will have to cut the tabs that hold the caliper on- off for the chevy caliper holder to fit. you'll also have to grind a little for the caliper to fit. It works just take you're time and plan out grinding before hand. for brake lines, I got stainless ones made and used a tee to hook up the front left. you need to use the axle ends off of the chevy too, the u-joints are both the same.
You need to get a early 70's to early 80's light duty Chevy 3/4 ton front axle (or at least the axles, spindles, brake caliper holders and the bolts that hold the spindle on. Your Ford bolts only hold the spindle and aren't long enough. Everything from the chevy bolts up but you will have to cut the tabs that hold the caliper on- off for the chevy caliper holder to fit. you'll also have to grind a little for the caliper to fit. It works just take you're time and plan out grinding before hand. for brake lines, I got stainless ones made and used a tee to hook up the front left. you need to use the axle ends off of the chevy too, the u-joints are both the same.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 242
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From: St. Paul, MN
Front hub swap
Thanks a lot dude! It really helps to hear that someone else has actually done it. Did you use 3/4 ton Chevy calipers and rotors too? The axle I should be looking for off the early 3/4 ton Chevy trucks, is it a straight axle Dana 44?
Dustin Siebert
mrlaserboy(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Dustin Siebert
mrlaserboy(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Latrobe USA
Front hub swap
Yeah, use a 44 straight axle, i bought one out of a '78, I think there are a few different type of caliper holders, the one I used was nice, it was a full circle cast piece that was cutout for the caliper, instead of using that crappy tin piece that rusts out.
you'll use the spindles, outer axle ends, hubs, calipers and holders. you can use the same hubs, the splines are all the same. remember to put the longer spindle bolts in.
Good luck, its not hard just take you're time and check all clearances, you will have to grind a bit to make clearence.
I've been running mine for 8 months and the guy that told me about it ran his for 40K.
It is a unique conversion.
you'll use the spindles, outer axle ends, hubs, calipers and holders. you can use the same hubs, the splines are all the same. remember to put the longer spindle bolts in.
Good luck, its not hard just take you're time and check all clearances, you will have to grind a bit to make clearence.
I've been running mine for 8 months and the guy that told me about it ran his for 40K.
It is a unique conversion.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 242
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From: St. Paul, MN
Front hub swap
What size tires are you running with your 8 lug setup? I talked to someone about it and he said he had some concerns about the thickness of the caliper bracket not allowing the shoulder of the chevy spindle to engage with the center hole in the knuckle. This makes the spindle studs do double duty, both holding the spindle on and supporting the weight of the truck. Is there something I'm missing or is this what will happen? I bought two 3/4 ton chevy spindles today but was not able to find any caliper brackets yet. I found a place that may have some and will check them out tomorrow.
Dustin Siebert
mrlaserboy(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Dustin Siebert
mrlaserboy(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Latrobe USA
Front hub swap
I'm running 35's BFG M/T's. No problems. I miked out the spindles and it fits the center hole perfect. Dana makes both axles so they use the same design specs. You do have to change the outer axle shafts because the chevy has a wider bearing race (the one that rides the inside of the spindle) that allows for the space taken up by the caliper holder. you can e-mail me and give me your phone if you want.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Latrobe USA
Front hub swap
I'm using 16's that are stock (for a F250) and 16.5 wheels with the 35's. I heard that someone makes 8 bolts in a 15" but are limited to style. I think they may clear the front calipers and there should be enough room in the rear but don't know for sure. Chevy uses 15" with their 1/2 ton which use the same caliper and holder configuration as the 3/4 ton.
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