IFS to solid axle conversion

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Dec 11, 2002 | 07:14 PM

bushman

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Joined: Feb 2001

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From: Oregon

IFS to solid axle conversion

I am going to be doing a conversion on a buddies truck real soon and was wondering if any of you guys have done this swap. I will be working on a 93 F250 4wd with an IFS front end and leaf springs. He wants me to convert it over to a solid front axle due to problems with the lift on the IFS. Any info would be appreciated.
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Bushman

Dec 11, 2002 | 11:36 PM

orange peel

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From: Raleigh, NC

IFS to solid axle conversion

there are A LOT of different topics on this swap in a lot of the forums, but now that ken has taken the search option away untill it is fixed or whatever, it will be kinda difficult to find one. i dont feel like going into detail right now but it will be time consuming and expensive to do.

Dec 12, 2002 | 11:19 AM

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IFS to solid axle conversion

well if the truck has leaf springs then one of the hardest parts is already completed, since now you don't have to fab. a panard bar. i guess the biggest thing is to make sure you have enough lift on the truck, 6" i believe is the min. you need. if you don't have enough lift the chunk will come in contact with the engine cross member. you will have to find, or custom fit an axle with the spring pads at the right location and at the right angle. that would be the biggest things to worry about. but as mentioned before this will be a very time consuming swap and possibly very expensive. if this is your buddies daily driver i probly wouldn't go through with it because the truck could possibly be apart longer than you think.
LR

Dec 12, 2002 | 01:19 PM

Mr Man

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From: Gilbert, Arizona

IFS to solid axle conversion

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Dec-02 AT 02:25 PM (EST)]It's not too difficult if you use a Dana 60 front axle from an F350 (mid-80s thru '97). The Dana 60 will bolt right up to your F250 springs, and you will not have any problems with it hitting your crossmember. You will need to shorten the front driveshaft about an inch however, because the D60 center section is larger than the IFS unit.

As the guys said above, the swap can be very expensive. Make sure your straight axle has ALL necessary parts (steering gear, track bar, LH side U-bolt plate, and the bracket that mounts the track bar to the frame). You won't need to drill or weld anything - it's a simple bolt-in job if you have the correct parts. If the truck is already lifted, you will need to get a drop bracket for the track bar to prevent bumpsteer. Skyjacker sells the correct bracket.

I believe the '92-'97 D60 front axles have better brake calipers than the earlier axles. I would try to get an axle from those years.

I did this swap several months ago. Email me if you have any questions.

Scott

Dec 20, 2002 | 03:12 PM

mooktank

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Joined: Sep 2002

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From: Lakeville USA

IFS to solid axle conversion

could you shorten the drivbeshaft yourself with a welder and torch or no?

Dec 20, 2002 | 07:20 PM

mwc4275

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Joined: Mar 2002

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From: Kent, WA

IFS to solid axle conversion

You could probably do it if you really wanted to. But then you would have to take it somewhere and have it balanced. It's really not that much to have one shortened and balanced. I think it's around $75 or so.