TTB Durability
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Joined: Feb 2003
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TTB Durability
How durable are the ttb front diff setups on an F250. I'm looking at a '97, cc,sb, 4x4, 460, manual trans, with stock tires. I'm not planning on any extreme wheeling, but I'm just not familiar with the ttb setup. One poster said the front end tends to wander and are difficult to keep tires from wearing out. Any other weaknesses or problems? Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Coutts Canada
For tires 35 and under (true for any dana 44 for that matter, but you should have the dana 50) the ttb is a good setup when used with coils, leafs springs don't move the same way as the ttb does and thus you notice the little quirks that the ttb is known for a bit better. But when you start having problems with keeping it aligned that means simply your springs and starting to sag, as far as the wander that means its probably just worn out tie rods or steering box (which can also lead to crappy tire wear as well), but for what you want to do you will see no problems.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
on a mild wheeler with mild sized tires on a 250 you will be fine. the only thing you will have problems with is keeping the thing aligned. (as mustange so eloquently stated 
) the leafs dont like the twisting forces that the TTB requires and this puts an excess strain on the leafs. coils on the other hand handle much better and can get away with a TTB setup much easier
-cutts-
) the leafs dont like the twisting forces that the TTB requires and this puts an excess strain on the leafs. coils on the other hand handle much better and can get away with a TTB setup much easier-cutts-
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Coutts Canada
One thing i should've mentioned that fishy remined me of, you should change out the spring eye bushings and the shackle bushing to a polyuthrane bushing, as with bigger tires and any amount of lift, the bushings tend to wear out way faster.
that right there is one fancy word for in here 
eloquently
Last edited by IB Tim; Nov 26, 2005 at 05:47 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Originally Posted by mustange70
For tires 35 and under (true for any dana 44 for that matter, but you should have the dana 50) the ttb is a good setup when used with coils, leafs springs don't move the same way as the ttb does and thus you notice the little quirks that the ttb is known for a bit better. But when you start having problems with keeping it aligned that means simply your springs and starting to sag, as far as the wander that means its probably just worn out tie rods or steering box (which can also lead to crappy tire wear as well), but for what you want to do you will see no problems.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
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From: Coutts Canada
Dana 50 has a 9" ring gear, bigger ujoints, and the bigger knuckles and dana 60 outers, good bit stronger where it counts i believe.
I have driven both and yes the solid axle will drive nicer, but unless you are doing so hard core wheeling where a 60 would be needed, i don't think its worth the expense, also the wheels should be traveling roughly the same amount as before when going down the highway as lifted coils are generally stiffer, so it should be roughly the same as before. again tire wear issues can be avoided if one keeps an eye out on the front end. Invest in a good stabilzer bar (with a quick disconnect), polyuthane bushings and dropped pitman arm (and a stabilzer bar would help), and you should have a decent handling truck if you decide to lift.
I have driven both and yes the solid axle will drive nicer, but unless you are doing so hard core wheeling where a 60 would be needed, i don't think its worth the expense, also the wheels should be traveling roughly the same amount as before when going down the highway as lifted coils are generally stiffer, so it should be roughly the same as before. again tire wear issues can be avoided if one keeps an eye out on the front end. Invest in a good stabilzer bar (with a quick disconnect), polyuthane bushings and dropped pitman arm (and a stabilzer bar would help), and you should have a decent handling truck if you decide to lift.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 199
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i have a 97 250 HD with 50 ttb up front, and for my wheeling, its been fine. but i don't do anything "extreme." but yes, you need to replace the front shackle bushings, i still need to do it, and i should have done it when i lifted the truck....the bushings are almost completely gone.
-jason
-jason
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 765
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From: ct
I use to have a 96 250 hd and the ttb and i never had any problems with it.I only used it in mudd and never on rocks though.I think you will be ok with it.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I have an 84 F150 4wd with a 2.5" suspension lift with the TTB front end. I am running 33" mudders, when I installed the lift kit I replaced all the bushings with polyurethane. I have all greaseable balljoints and tie rod ends, and I grease my front end at every oil change and I rotate my tires every oil change as well. I have been known to be harder on this truck than I probably should have. It has held up very well over the years, I have never broken any major components. TTB is plenty tough for me 
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
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From: Bryan/College Station
The ball joints are the same size as the ball loints ao a 60.
I had no problems running one and wheeling it also. It does have the "neat" quirks that any TTB setup has but the are no major concern.
Chris
I had no problems running one and wheeling it also. It does have the "neat" quirks that any TTB setup has but the are no major concern.
Chris
