) measure everything...
Another 31 Spline Axle Interchange Question
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
Well I'm still knee deep in this. I can't find any axles on the cheap. I really didn't want to drop housings if I could avoid it.
For sure, what housings interchange? Somebody throw me a bone here.. I can't be the only one that's run into this problem.
For sure, what housings interchange? Somebody throw me a bone here.. I can't be the only one that's run into this problem.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
How will that affect changing the housing? Does the spring width matter at all to the housing? (This is my first leaf spring vehicle, all my other toys have always been 4 link rear coil springs).
What about later trucks? There just aren't any 2wd F150s in yards around here.
What about later trucks? There just aren't any 2wd F150s in yards around here.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
I shouldn't have said stopping you... that is technically the only suspension difference.
I honestly don't know what other years will fit... the 80's trucks are different, they have different frames... so spring locations are 4" narrower as are shock locations...
try this www.car-part.com its a huge listing for junkyards... there may be one in your area... I've got a couple laying around, but I don't think you want to pay the shipping...
I honestly don't know what other years will fit... the 80's trucks are different, they have different frames... so spring locations are 4" narrower as are shock locations...
try this www.car-part.com its a huge listing for junkyards... there may be one in your area... I've got a couple laying around, but I don't think you want to pay the shipping...
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Hey psquare7575, I just measured all the distances to see if there were any differences on my axles. I have a 73 F100 and a 78 F150, both w/9" axles, and they are the same on the perches, perch to backing plate, width, length, even the shock mounts are the same. Hope that helps. Too bad you aren't closer, I also have a couple laying around.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
They aren't... I answered that above... the frames are different widths... you could probably make one work, but it wouldn't be fun.
Whats so special about the 31 Spline center section that you have? Can the place you got if from put it together with 28 Spline carrier (I think thats all you need)
Whats so special about the 31 Spline center section that you have? Can the place you got if from put it together with 28 Spline carrier (I think thats all you need)
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
#1. Ebay Special.. Shipping would be $150 back and forth, plus whatever to swap it.
#2. I wanted 31 spline... a stroker will eventually reside in this truck (shh don't tell it
)
I figured I'd pull the helper springs, drop it, add the rear sway bar and swap center chunks all at once... But this one thing is holding up the entire $*!@#*%# parade.
I found a 78/79 Bronco that is easily accessible at a local yard, I could just grab the entire housing, car-parts.com shows an interchange, but one wheel seal is breached, the drum was heavily soaked. Something tells me roller bearing axles shouldn't be swapped to different races. I'll still have to fudge with roller bearings.
A guy on another forum offered me free axles, but they are from a mid 70's Bronco, too short, we compared notes. I may just bite the bullet and get axles made, because I wanted this completed before November, drop and all.
#2. I wanted 31 spline... a stroker will eventually reside in this truck (shh don't tell it
)I figured I'd pull the helper springs, drop it, add the rear sway bar and swap center chunks all at once... But this one thing is holding up the entire $*!@#*%# parade.
I found a 78/79 Bronco that is easily accessible at a local yard, I could just grab the entire housing, car-parts.com shows an interchange, but one wheel seal is breached, the drum was heavily soaked. Something tells me roller bearing axles shouldn't be swapped to different races. I'll still have to fudge with roller bearings.
A guy on another forum offered me free axles, but they are from a mid 70's Bronco, too short, we compared notes. I may just bite the bullet and get axles made, because I wanted this completed before November, drop and all.
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I don't know about the axle bearing but as I remember and don't hold me to this, but as I remember, the carrier bearings on the 28 and 31 was different diameter. It's been a while since I worked on a Ford so it's kind of fuzzy but I think the pumpkins don't interchange...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
You are telling me that shipping a center section is going to cost you $150? What, is that overnight early morning by 8am? I've shipped them for $35.
$70 on a center section for shipping is a heck of a lot cheaper than trying to swap parts around, and in the end you don't know if the housing is even straight.
The 28 spline axle is plenty tough... I think you are making this a lot more difficult by trying to swap in random parts... I wouldn't waste time with factory parts if you are making serious power anyway... you'll end up breaking it anyway.
$70 on a center section for shipping is a heck of a lot cheaper than trying to swap parts around, and in the end you don't know if the housing is even straight.
The 28 spline axle is plenty tough... I think you are making this a lot more difficult by trying to swap in random parts... I wouldn't waste time with factory parts if you are making serious power anyway... you'll end up breaking it anyway.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
After another weekend in the junkyard... All the trucks were 4wd.. Dana rears.. 1 5 lug rear.. missing axles entirely.. A Bronco, with the aforementioned bad axle seals, and several mid 80s trucks that no one could give a clear answer on, and I wasnt in the mood to experiment.
Moser ftw.
Also ordered my drop stuff for the rear.. I'll order the front when the rear gets here.
October... Baseball playoffs, and my trucks drivetrain/suspension should be buttoned up.
Moser ftw.
Also ordered my drop stuff for the rear.. I'll order the front when the rear gets here.
October... Baseball playoffs, and my trucks drivetrain/suspension should be buttoned up.
Last edited by psquare7575; Oct 8, 2007 at 01:00 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
Man, all the wrecking yards around here are filled to the brim with old fords... I know one yard with at least 50 old fords mostly complete, a few parts and you could drive them out.
If you haven't already bought something, I can highly recommend the Currie 9".
If you haven't already bought something, I can highly recommend the Currie 9".
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
Matt, I'm in Massachusetts.. Things rust. My fathers '04 F250 already has a somewhat rusty bottom tailgate lip.
Lots of 80s, a few 70s in this one yard, and it's an 'old car' yard. He had 1 or 2 pre 73s.
Also, to put it in another perspective.. Since I've had my 79 (june), I've seen less than 10 on the road as a regular truck.
Lots of 80s, a few 70s in this one yard, and it's an 'old car' yard. He had 1 or 2 pre 73s.
Also, to put it in another perspective.. Since I've had my 79 (june), I've seen less than 10 on the road as a regular truck.
