Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

f250 solid axle swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20, 2009 | 11:12 AM
  #1  
jleal_21's Avatar
jleal_21
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
f250 solid axle swap

would this operation be a bolt on application or will some fabrication and welding be needed? this would be having the donor truck instead of buying piece by piece. what year models would work for this?
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2009 | 11:56 AM
  #2  
96P_Stroke4x4's Avatar
96P_Stroke4x4
Smokin'
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Aston
Club FTE Silver Member

simple bolt on. at least mid 80's to '97 dana 60 will do. i think '94-'97 have less desirable ball joints where the earlier 60's have kingpins. that won't effect the swap operaion though.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2009 | 04:33 PM
  #3  
Gobstopper909's Avatar
Gobstopper909
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 892
Likes: 3
From: Quinton NJ
Club FTE Silver Member

x2 everything is bolt on, except youll need diff brake lines, and i heard somewhere that youll have to switch leafs? somthing about the ttb leafs are angled and they will break if you go to a solid axle.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2009 | 04:48 PM
  #4  
96P_Stroke4x4's Avatar
96P_Stroke4x4
Smokin'
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Aston
Club FTE Silver Member

nothing wrong with using ttb leafs, except it will be a little harsher ride. the ttb springs are actually a little stiffer to withstand the twisting. if you have a donor truck, you might as well take the springs. if you leave the springs attached to the axle, you will just have to worry about the 4 spring eye bolts, steering connection, track bar, and maybe sway bar connections. it's a lot easier than it may seem.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2009 | 07:42 PM
  #5  
joe_13894's Avatar
joe_13894
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
The brakes were beefed up in MY 95. If you get a 94 or older axle, the front brakes aren't as strong.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2009 | 08:56 PM
  #6  
Gobstopper909's Avatar
Gobstopper909
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 892
Likes: 3
From: Quinton NJ
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Gobstopper909
and i heard somewhere that youll have to switch leafs? somthing about the ttb leafs are angled and they will break if you go to a solid axle.
probably just

Originally Posted by 96P_Stroke4x4
nothing wrong with using ttb leafs, except it will be a little harsher ride. the ttb springs are actually a little stiffer to withstand the twisting.
a fella at a swap meet got me scared about using my ttb springs. i knew they were thicker than the 1 ton's but thanks for the info
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 05:19 PM
  #7  
F250Growler's Avatar
F250Growler
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
what does everyone do with their left over ttb after the swap? is it desired by anyone else?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 05:26 PM
  #8  
joe_13894's Avatar
joe_13894
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
Originally Posted by F250Growler
what does everyone do with their left over ttb after the swap? is it desired by anyone else?
I see them on Craigslist quite often for $200 to $250.

I have no idea what they are used for beyond replacing collision damaged axles.

The hubs can be stripped for some $$$
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 05:56 PM
  #9  
F250Growler's Avatar
F250Growler
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
what are the advantages to having a dana 60 front axle over the ttb?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:02 PM
  #10  
joe_13894's Avatar
joe_13894
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
Originally Posted by F250Growler
what are the advantages to having a dana 60 front axle over the ttb?
To align a TTB, the shop better know what they are doing. The bushings all have to be in decent shape or it will tear up tires. The alignment is dependent on load so if you have huge load swings like putting on a plow, they won't stay alligned. Lift kits are even more problematic.

The D60 doesn't have any of these issues.

The D50 has 1350 U-joints which will pop around 2,200 ft-lbs per side. The D60 has 1410 U-joints that can take 2,700 ft-lbs per side. 2,200 ft-lbs is plenty to burn out stock tires on bare pavement. But go stick big tires on it and you can blow U-joints or other parts on a D50.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:58 PM
  #11  
wildstang's Avatar
wildstang
VT Chapter Ldr
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Community Influencer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 96,140
Likes: 294
From: Orange, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

Can you use one from a superduty? If not why? Are they less desirable because of the sealed axel bearings?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 11:12 PM
  #12  
BlueMule's Avatar
BlueMule
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 2
From: Ft Scott
Originally Posted by wildstang
Are they less desirable because of the sealed axel bearings?
BINGO!

You can't service them and it cost a couple hundred per side to replace them.

And not all SouperDootys had D60's some had monobeam D50's
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 11:16 PM
  #13  
coreylasalle's Avatar
coreylasalle
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse, NY
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by 96P_Stroke4x4
simple bolt on. at least mid 80's to '97 dana 60 will do. i think '94-'97 have less desirable ball joints where the earlier 60's have kingpins. that won't effect the swap operaion though.

so king pins would be more desirable?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 11:27 PM
  #14  
BlueMule's Avatar
BlueMule
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 2
From: Ft Scott
Originally Posted by coreylasalle
so king pins would be more desirable?
I thought so!
I bought a 94 balljoint axle and then sold it to buy the 86 kingpin that's under the truck.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 12:15 AM
  #15  
joe_13894's Avatar
joe_13894
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
Originally Posted by BlueMule
BINGO!

You can't service them and it cost a couple hundred per side to replace them.

And not all SouperDootys had D60's some had monobeam D50's
Only the DRW superdootys have D60's. The F350 SRW and the F250 have D50 monobeams.

FYI, the D50 monobeam guts are not interchangeable with the D50 TTB
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:31 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE