"Modern Era" Axle Replacement?
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New User
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From: Phoenix
"Modern Era" Axle Replacement?
I am a newbie to this site and am very impressed and excited to find all this information and expertise, but I have been unable to find the answer to my current dilemma.
I am trying to find out what “modern era” Ford trucks have the same frame rail spacing as my ’33 Ford Model BB, which is 38 inches, outside-to-outside. The person I purchased it from has replace the rear end with a ‘70’s something axle, but it is not a dually, as the BB was, and I want to swap it out for a dually axle. I have checked a ’72 F350 and found the outside-to-outside rail spacing to be 34 inches. I was lead to believe that there was one series of Ford trucks that maintained the same rail spacing up until the mid/late 80’s, which makes the swapping of rear axles virtually a bolt on/off proposition. Any help?
Thanks in advance!
I am trying to find out what “modern era” Ford trucks have the same frame rail spacing as my ’33 Ford Model BB, which is 38 inches, outside-to-outside. The person I purchased it from has replace the rear end with a ‘70’s something axle, but it is not a dually, as the BB was, and I want to swap it out for a dually axle. I have checked a ’72 F350 and found the outside-to-outside rail spacing to be 34 inches. I was lead to believe that there was one series of Ford trucks that maintained the same rail spacing up until the mid/late 80’s, which makes the swapping of rear axles virtually a bolt on/off proposition. Any help?
Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Minnesota
See if I get the correct starting year here. Between '42 and '72 the trucks had the 34" outside to outside frame rail measure. In '73 they made the frame wider, but the number escapes my mind. For the 1/2 ton, from axle flange to axle flange was about 2" wider, but that doesn't mean that they didn't space the frame rails 4" wider. While you are checking look at vans also. I think they were a bit wider than the trucks -- not that you are going to find a dually van but it might get you closer to knowing what was swapped in, if the trucks don't match
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Frame widths for 2wd trucks
48-52 Front 32" Rear 34"
53-72 Front 34" Rear 34"
73-79 F-100/150/250 Front 34" Rear 37.5"
73-79 F-350 Front 34" Rear 34"
80-96 Front 37.5" Rear 37.5"
There were some cab and chassis trucks in the 80's that still used 34" frame spacing. I think the Econoline's used a 37.5" wide frame from 75 and up.
I got a 74 F-350 Dana 70B in my 51 and have a 69 F-350 Dana 70B to replace it as it has 3.73:1 gears.
48-52 Front 32" Rear 34"
53-72 Front 34" Rear 34"
73-79 F-100/150/250 Front 34" Rear 37.5"
73-79 F-350 Front 34" Rear 34"
80-96 Front 37.5" Rear 37.5"
There were some cab and chassis trucks in the 80's that still used 34" frame spacing. I think the Econoline's used a 37.5" wide frame from 75 and up.
I got a 74 F-350 Dana 70B in my 51 and have a 69 F-350 Dana 70B to replace it as it has 3.73:1 gears.
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From: Phoenix
Thanks to you both for the info!! I am especially intrigued by the Frame Swap Tech article... It has me considering that possibility!
This is just what I was looking for! Thanks again!
...............
51Dueller... In your response, the last line you indicate
" 80-96 Front 37.5" Rear 37.5" "
is this for F450?
This is just what I was looking for! Thanks again!
...............
51Dueller... In your response, the last line you indicate
" 80-96 Front 37.5" Rear 37.5" "
is this for F450?
Last edited by 33BB; Apr 19, 2007 at 08:57 AM.
