Front end troubles
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Southeast Idaho
Front end troubles
Hey folks,
I haven't been around in a while. Been busy with other things. Now it's time to do some repairs to my truck and I have a question or two.
I have known for some time me front axle joints were shot but with winter coming I thought I better get them fixed. However after further inspection I found that basically my whole front end is shot. Steering has all been done, (new steering gear, tie rod ends, and ball joints were done a while ago) When I say whole front end I mean front diff and drive axles. R&P, bearings etc. My logic is now to find a donor truck for parts. Even our local scrap yards are pricey for replacement. The question I have is which years of truck can I look for? The truck I have is an 87 f-250 diesel. T-19 for speed and axle code 35. I believe it has a dana 44 up front. If I can upgrade without too much trouble I would be ok with that.
Any suggestions would be welcome but mostly I would like to know what years will change over. Can I look for pre 87 as a donor? How far can I go up in years 97?
Thanks
I haven't been around in a while. Been busy with other things. Now it's time to do some repairs to my truck and I have a question or two.
I have known for some time me front axle joints were shot but with winter coming I thought I better get them fixed. However after further inspection I found that basically my whole front end is shot. Steering has all been done, (new steering gear, tie rod ends, and ball joints were done a while ago) When I say whole front end I mean front diff and drive axles. R&P, bearings etc. My logic is now to find a donor truck for parts. Even our local scrap yards are pricey for replacement. The question I have is which years of truck can I look for? The truck I have is an 87 f-250 diesel. T-19 for speed and axle code 35. I believe it has a dana 44 up front. If I can upgrade without too much trouble I would be ok with that.
Any suggestions would be welcome but mostly I would like to know what years will change over. Can I look for pre 87 as a donor? How far can I go up in years 97?
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Southeast Idaho
No mine is a TTB dana 44 but when looking for a donor truck I will use anything that will bolt in. I don't want to do major fabrication for an upgrade but if it's a "bolt on" I'm all about it. I have found a couple of 85, 86s for parts but I don't know for sure if it will change over. I know body and interior are different I just wonder about drive train and chassis.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
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From: Michigan
If you're not up for rebuilding your diff, look for another D44 TTB with same gearing in a salvageyard. As for axles and joints, they are no harder to replace than on a driveshaft once you've got the whole thing apart. Any axlejoints you get out of a jy would probably need to be replaced as well. Any center section from 87-96 f150 4x4 should work, I don't believe any of those were solid axle.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Southeast Idaho
As I said in previous post with all the parts that I need it's not going to be cost effective. I am up for rebuilding but it's almost $200.00 just for bearings and seals. That doesn't even count R&P spiders and side gears. There comes a point when you just say "it aint worth it". If I can find a donor with a good diff I think that's the way to go. I wouldn't even consider axle joints from a scrap yard.
Thanks for the input folks
Thanks for the input folks
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Belle Mead NJ
R&P? Rack and Pinion? You dont have one on ur truck. You have a box. Y do you have to do the bearings? There lose? Everything is lose?
You need to find something like this for ur year. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COMPL...Q5fAccessories
You need to find something like this for ur year. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COMPL...Q5fAccessories
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Southeast Idaho
R&P is ring and pinion not rack & pinion, sorry...... I made an assumption.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Renton, WA
If that's what you are looking to do I think it's a good idea if it works on your truck, I can't be sure I haven't done that swap I got a solid already. Then 86 or 87 ( I can't remember witch) to 92 F350 with heavy payload is what you want. These are the best/strongest front ends. There Dana 60's with high pinions and kingpin knuckles. You'll want to just get a donor truck, anyone selling one of these on it's own will want alot for it, cheaper to buy a truck from someone who doesn't know what they have. And you will need the steering parts anyway. (tie rod and drag link) You also should use the panhard/track bar from the donor truck. I would think the tough part will be finding one that is 3.55 I would think most of these to be 4.10
Are we heading in the right direction?
I'm suprised more people aren't chiming in here, TTB's are a huge problem with alot of these trucks. You may want to also post or link to this thread in the steering and suspension section.
Are we heading in the right direction?
I'm suprised more people aren't chiming in here, TTB's are a huge problem with alot of these trucks. You may want to also post or link to this thread in the steering and suspension section.
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Senior User
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From: Southeast Idaho
That's another reason I want to get a donor, I can change the rear if needed. I like my fuel economy with the 3.55s but it would tow better with the 4.10s. I'm pulling a fifth wheel camp trailer quite a bit. It's only about 7K lbs but I usually flat tow a Samurai behind that.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,026
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From: Renton, WA
That's another reason I want to get a donor, I can change the rear if needed. I like my fuel economy with the 3.55s but it would tow better with the 4.10s. I'm pulling a fifth wheel camp trailer quite a bit. It's only about 7K lbs but I usually flat tow a Samurai behind that.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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you might be able to use some info on this site about it i used to have a thread saved on my computer that was exactly what you are doing now like EXACTLY but i can't find it
Solid front axle guide - FSB Forums
Solid front axle guide - FSB Forums