Axle Swap
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 185
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From: Taylorsville, KY
Axle Swap
To start with I have a '97 F250 ext cab long bed. I know that a lot of yall have swapped the twin-i-beam out with the dana 60 from F350's. I have been looking for one at a reasonable price around here but haven't had much luck yet. In the meantime my neighbor who owns a body shop has bought a wrecked '00 F350 so he could get the engine out of it for his truck and has offered both front and rear axles to me for a good price. I know that the SD's have a different bolt pattern but am not too worried about that since I was in the market for some new wheels anyway.
The question is how much work would it be to put SD axles under an obs truck. one thing that I like about doing that if its not too hard to do is it will give me 4 wheel disc brakes.
Thanks,
Franklin
The question is how much work would it be to put SD axles under an obs truck. one thing that I like about doing that if its not too hard to do is it will give me 4 wheel disc brakes.
Thanks,
Franklin
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,795
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From: Lubbock, Texas
X2 if you swap in SD springs into an OBS truck you have to relocate the mounts/brackets
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Ft Scott
The rear axle is easy. It'll bolt right up to your springs with no problem. The SD uses the next series larger u-joint but there are several thing you can do to make it work. [1] use the OBS yoke on the SD pinion and use OBS u-joint [2] use sd yoke on back of your driveshaft and use SD u-joint or if the wheelbase is the same use the SD driveshaft from the slipjoint back. Also the hanger brackets for the parking brake cable will have to be moved and new shock mounts will have to be made.
The front is a pita and I wouldn't do it unless it was 2wd and then you could just use the SD hubs on the OBS spindles
The SD front axle is still a D50 and not a D60 and the SD uses coil spring so you'll eith have to fab spring perches for the axle or rework your whole front end to work with coils.
With all the time, money and work to do the front you'd be better of buying an 86-97 D60
The front is a pita and I wouldn't do it unless it was 2wd and then you could just use the SD hubs on the OBS spindles
The SD front axle is still a D50 and not a D60 and the SD uses coil spring so you'll eith have to fab spring perches for the axle or rework your whole front end to work with coils.
With all the time, money and work to do the front you'd be better of buying an 86-97 D60
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
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I still agree with you though, just swap in a D60 off a 86-97.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
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From: Belair md
i had measured the 99-03 trucks and the spring spacing was the same as it is on our trucks, i never got to measure anything else but the steering knuckles are different sizes among a few other things that would make it quite challenging.
why do you want to get rid of the dana 50? they are good axles. lots of aftermarket parts available now and the give a nicer ride
why do you want to get rid of the dana 50? they are good axles. lots of aftermarket parts available now and the give a nicer ride
