Solid Axle Conversion
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
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From: North Dakota
yes, lots of people have done the solid axle swaps on vans. i went TTB 1. because i had it layin around, 2. i couldn't find a D60 for a reasonable price, 3. people said it couldn't be couldn't be done and have good road maners.. there are some places around that can do the convertions for you, or its really not that hard to do yourself. (easyer the 75 and up vans)
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Benton County, MN
I know about the conversions. I see Quigly vans every once and a while and they fascinate me. I have the opportunity to pick up a 95 E-350 for cheap and am tossing around the idea of making it a 4x4 hunting rig. I guess my question was more directed towards obtaining information from people who may have done them. Questions like, leaf springs or coil. If coil what type of link set was used.
If anything I will just examine the van myself and see what I can do. I have seen leaf spring shackles made that will use '96 and compatible leaf springs for the F-350. I would like to go the coil spring route though. I'm almost thinking the set up from a 2005 and up f-350 would work well, but I'd like to look at it a little closer.
If anything I will just examine the van myself and see what I can do. I have seen leaf spring shackles made that will use '96 and compatible leaf springs for the F-350. I would like to go the coil spring route though. I'm almost thinking the set up from a 2005 and up f-350 would work well, but I'd like to look at it a little closer.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
i think coils would be the way to go.. form the vans i have seen besides mine they use the 74-79 for 1/2 ton pickup front suspension basically.. i know you can use a D60 with the 1/2 ton radius arms, and its not all that hard. basically if you have ever done a SAS on a bronco or pickup you can put solid axle under the front of the van.. as for the t-case it all depends on if you want to do a devorced unit or mated.. whatever you chose its all a matter of your fab skills. personally i think its not all that hard whatever way you go.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
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From: North Dakota
do you have a trans to swap in to use the 205 than? thats what i did just swapped a two wheel drive NP435 for a 4 wheel drive. but i am using a BW tcase. its wider to help with the drive shaft angles on the front shaft, due to the engine and trans being pushed to the passenger side on my van. i'm not sure how far off center the motor is on yours. but a 205 is a very good case. i didn't have an extra 205 so thats why i used the one i had out of a 85 F350 diesl.
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Benton County, MN
That's the thing I'm wondering about using a Dana 60. I had thought about using the radius arms off of a 78/79 F-150, but I was wondering about the mounts on the axle. Is there someone that makes the mounts that can be welded to the axle, or will something have to be fabbed up?
As far as the transmission goes I will probably just try and find a 4WD version of whatever is in the van. That way I won't have to worry about bypassing electronics and so on. I am not real familiar with how the newer drive lines work with electronics so I will be baby stepping that one. I hope to pick the van up in the next few days. I have to figure out the "not running" situation first.
As far as the transmission goes I will probably just try and find a 4WD version of whatever is in the van. That way I won't have to worry about bypassing electronics and so on. I am not real familiar with how the newer drive lines work with electronics so I will be baby stepping that one. I hope to pick the van up in the next few days. I have to figure out the "not running" situation first.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
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From: North Dakota
i used the factory "C" wedges off a 76 F-150 axle on my D60 i put under my pickup.. you will have to do alittle grinding but its not that hard. if you got any questions about that i could help you out. or there are some places that sell parts to mount the axle with aftermarket radius arms. but its all made for pickups and broncos. but not that hard to make work on the van.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
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From: North Dakota
cage... james duff... i'll have to look for some more later..
CAGE Offroad Products FORD / 1978 / F-150 PICKUP
i thought they had pictures on the site somewhere..
CAGE Offroad Products FORD / 1978 / F-150 PICKUP
i thought they had pictures on the site somewhere..
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