IFS to solid front axle swap
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Santa Clarita
IFS to solid front axle swap
I have a 1985 f250 4X4 with a 460. I hate my front end it causes nothing but trouble when i back up the tires lean in at like a 70 degree angle. Im looking into a f350 DANA 60 front end that will bolt right in but im a little in the dark i have a 6inch lift currently and im a little worried if it will still work with a new front end. What parts will i need to make the swap work correctly?
Also i was wondering if the IFS i beams have ever been welded together successfully to make a solid front end or is that too far fetched.
Thanks Garrett
Also i was wondering if the IFS i beams have ever been welded together successfully to make a solid front end or is that too far fetched.
Thanks Garrett
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From: Virginia
The beams have been welded together before, there is a right up on the web, but I have forgotten the link, maybe google will pick it up.
The Dana 60 will bolt in. You do need some of the steering linkage to make it work, but the steering box you have now will work. Some people have also had to trim the crossmember in front of the transfer case for front driveshaft clearance, and if you look at the factory setup on a f350 straight axle, it has a cv joint coming out of the front of the transfer case, were a ttb setup does not.
The Dana 60 will bolt in. You do need some of the steering linkage to make it work, but the steering box you have now will work. Some people have also had to trim the crossmember in front of the transfer case for front driveshaft clearance, and if you look at the factory setup on a f350 straight axle, it has a cv joint coming out of the front of the transfer case, were a ttb setup does not.
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From: Virginia
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2008
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No offense but it sounds like you are in way over your head.
A Dana 60 is nearly a bolt in deal if you have an 85.5+ for a donor.
Do not waste your time trying to cobble together a welded TTB. It's not worth the time or effort.
A Dana 60 is nearly a bolt in deal if you have an 85.5+ for a donor.
Do not waste your time trying to cobble together a welded TTB. It's not worth the time or effort.
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From: Virginia
I am not totally sold on the idea or the theory yet. The jeep guys have the same situation. What I can't understand is when you are a engineer with a clean sheet of paper, and can design it any way you want, why would they have put the shackles in front unless there was a good reason?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
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From: Gilbert, PA
Dont use F250 springs w a D60. It will ride like crap. The f250 sping are built alot different. they are designed to let the axle move up and down, and in and out , to follow the arch of the TTB. The D60 just needs the up and down travel
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Santa Clarita
Im pretty mechanical and i put the lift kit on myself so i think im qualified i'm just checking all aspects before tearing into it.
And as for the different springs i have new springs that came with my lift kit and they are the heavy duty diesel springs will these work??
Thanks
And as for the different springs i have new springs that came with my lift kit and they are the heavy duty diesel springs will these work??
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Out of here
Like Brad already said:
TTB and D60 leafs have different spring rates. The TTB springs are stiffer and will ride like chit.
It all depends on what kit you got. Was it meant for a D44/D50 setup, or a D60?
TTB and D60 leafs have different spring rates. The TTB springs are stiffer and will ride like chit.
It all depends on what kit you got. Was it meant for a D44/D50 setup, or a D60?
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Freshman User
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From: Santa Clarita
They are a tough country lift kit and the springs that came with the kit sagged in 6months so the sent me a set of there Heavy duty diesel springs does that make them dana 60 material
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