convert to solid axle ?'s
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Lancaster, PA
convert to solid axle ?'s
I have a 1994 F150 4x4 that the front axle is toast and im gona scrape. I have a solid axle d60 that was on leaf springs. My question is does anyone know of a kit to mount the dana 60 to my coil springs?
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From: raymond alberta
Solid Axle Swaps - FSB Forums
ok read around here for as long as you can before you attempt this im sure there are kits somewhere but im a do it myselfer so i havent even looked
im not too sure on the d60 project but as far as a d44 goes theres a fair bit of fabbin to be done (welding choppin shavin shimmin) that stuff so you need those skills as well as good knowledge of geometry and steering
good luck
ok read around here for as long as you can before you attempt this im sure there are kits somewhere but im a do it myselfer so i havent even looked
im not too sure on the d60 project but as far as a d44 goes theres a fair bit of fabbin to be done (welding choppin shavin shimmin) that stuff so you need those skills as well as good knowledge of geometry and steering
good luck
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 62
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From: Lancaster, PA
there has gota be some guys on here that have done this? i have no problems with fabin up i have a whole metal shop at my garage. but if i can get the mounts for the axle that the springs sit on sure beats me wastin my time to fab them.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Renton, WA
I'm sure this has been done many times before and I think it is a very good upgrade. If you haven't yet, post in the offroad section. Also check out pirate4x4.com these guys are rather extreme but there's gotta be alot of guys on there that have done that swap and know how to do it right.
I think the best way to go about it would be to grab the coil spring mounts and radius arms and mounts out of a early ford truck with a solid front axle. The frames I believe are vary simaler and you can keep using stock ford alignment and suspension parts so when it comes time for an upgrade or even now can use aftermarket stock replacement parts.
If I was doing, this my first trip would be to my local wrecking yard to snag the factory parts needed. The radius arm brackets from the frame and the spring/shock perches from the front axle along with the panhard/track bar and related brackets. The radius arm choice would depend on the tire size and amount of lift. If the truck is rather stock height and tires under 37" you can get away with using the stock radius arms. If the truck is bigger you need to go aftermarket on the arms so you cam maintain your turning radius and proper caster.
Hope this helps let us know what you end up doing, do the reaserch take your time and do it right. But it can be done rather easily and I would think is well worth it.
I think the best way to go about it would be to grab the coil spring mounts and radius arms and mounts out of a early ford truck with a solid front axle. The frames I believe are vary simaler and you can keep using stock ford alignment and suspension parts so when it comes time for an upgrade or even now can use aftermarket stock replacement parts.
If I was doing, this my first trip would be to my local wrecking yard to snag the factory parts needed. The radius arm brackets from the frame and the spring/shock perches from the front axle along with the panhard/track bar and related brackets. The radius arm choice would depend on the tire size and amount of lift. If the truck is rather stock height and tires under 37" you can get away with using the stock radius arms. If the truck is bigger you need to go aftermarket on the arms so you cam maintain your turning radius and proper caster.
Hope this helps let us know what you end up doing, do the reaserch take your time and do it right. But it can be done rather easily and I would think is well worth it.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
A friend of mine did this swap on his 87. He used a D44 from a late 70's F150. Due to the lift he built the radius arms and all the brackets. It was well worth the effort. I would suggest you talk to a few people who have done it before buying any parts. Also unless you have advanced welding skills I would leave any welding to someone who does. My buddy is a welder by trade and a lot of things he builds at work make suspension parts look like childs play.
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