School Me
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
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School Me
Hey Guru's,
I have 96 F150 4x4 Extended Cab 351 v8, e40d (i think auto w/ OD). Will the axles from a f250/350 bolt under my truck. I want a lower axle ratio, and would rather have the added strength of the heavier axles. I know my 8.8 has a sensor though for my speedo/computer. I know that my truck is coil up front, and 250/350 are leaf... but just asking to see about my options. I know I could do a solid swap pretty cheap, but I could do TTB cheaper I think. Plus I don't do any heavy wheeling. I have searched, and will continue, but thought I would ask. Also seems like I read that the rear leafs are wider, but I think I could just get new hangers, or the ones from the donor vehicle.
TIA
I have 96 F150 4x4 Extended Cab 351 v8, e40d (i think auto w/ OD). Will the axles from a f250/350 bolt under my truck. I want a lower axle ratio, and would rather have the added strength of the heavier axles. I know my 8.8 has a sensor though for my speedo/computer. I know that my truck is coil up front, and 250/350 are leaf... but just asking to see about my options. I know I could do a solid swap pretty cheap, but I could do TTB cheaper I think. Plus I don't do any heavy wheeling. I have searched, and will continue, but thought I would ask. Also seems like I read that the rear leafs are wider, but I think I could just get new hangers, or the ones from the donor vehicle.
TIA
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
It depends on what he intends to do to get the F250/350 front axle under his truck. His particular year F150 has a crumple zone built into the front bumper area/frame where the F250/350 did not. It would be difficult to get the leaf sprung front end on an F150, the best bet would be to convert the F250/350 leaf perches on the axle to a coil sprung set up. The rear axle would be a direct swap on a 4x4 (assuming the donor was an 88 up F250/350), 8.8 and 10.25/10.50 all had the provision for the VSS in the differential.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
All 4x4 F-250s were leaf sprung on all corners.
It's not a simple bolt-in, it's a fairly involved job, and while the axles are stronger, it just moves the weak point to the frame. Unless you are doing something that for some reason requires the additional strength, it's so much easier just to get your axles re-geared. Even if you do need the strength, then you need to get a 3/4 ton truck, not a 1/2 ton with 3/4 axles under it.
It's not a simple bolt-in, it's a fairly involved job, and while the axles are stronger, it just moves the weak point to the frame. Unless you are doing something that for some reason requires the additional strength, it's so much easier just to get your axles re-geared. Even if you do need the strength, then you need to get a 3/4 ton truck, not a 1/2 ton with 3/4 axles under it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
It has only been fairly recent that the superduty 4x4s (2009?) went to a coil sprung front end. Before that it was only the Excursion that had the coil sprung front end on the 4x4.
If you were thinking of the solid D44 front axle, you could but the guts/spindles from a D44HD out of an old F250 in an old F150 solid D44 and get the 8 bolt front end.
If you were thinking of the solid D44 front axle, you could but the guts/spindles from a D44HD out of an old F250 in an old F150 solid D44 and get the 8 bolt front end.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
It has only been fairly recent that the superduty 4x4s (2009?) went to a coil sprung front end. Before that it was only the Excursion that had the coil sprung front end on the 4x4.
If you were thinking of the solid D44 front axle, you could but the guts/spindles from a D44HD out of an old F250 in an old F150 solid D44 and get the 8 bolt front end.
If you were thinking of the solid D44 front axle, you could but the guts/spindles from a D44HD out of an old F250 in an old F150 solid D44 and get the 8 bolt front end.
And the TTB D44 out if a F250 would be no stronger than the TTB D44 you already have, nor would a solid axle D44 be any stronger.
If you want a beefier truck go buy a F250 w a D50 or a F350 w a D60
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Yeah the swap won't be easy, but it has been done multiple times with multiple members on here, most of which are very good at explaining exactly how to do it. Nothing compares to doing it yourself though. Conanski could give me a detailed step by step on swapping a cam and I could study that and my chiltons but it would still take me 3 times as long as him to do it. Sorry I used you as an example conanski I just remember that you endorse cam swaps alot and know you have alot of experience with them
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
nor would a solid axle D44 be any stronger.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Didn't he say he meant the excursion? I second your D44 statement though. Solid axle is always stronger than independent. The TTB has its uses though
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
The TTB is great for what it is. I have two TTB trucks and don't have any complaints at all.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, FL
I actually have a truck that this was done to. 95 eddie bauer F150 with an F250 (D50 ttb and 10.25" rear) suspension. I'm still not sure if he just removed the body and put it on the 250 frame or if it's just the axles and springs that were changed. I know that he mentioned something about having to change the wheel base to get everything to fit properly, which makes me think that it might be the 250 frame. Looking on kelly blue book, they didn't make a 95 F-250 with a short bed on it. Either way, I haven't had the chance to get under another F250 of the same year to start comparing mounting locations and frame size. I do love having the bigger axle look though. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Look at the front of the frame right behind the bumper. If there are crumple zones (they will be obvious and you will know them if you see them) it's an F-150 frame. No crumple zones, F-250 frame.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, FL
I will double check but I believe he might of cut and welded to the front of the frame to get the bumper to fit right. He put a body lift on the truck. I know that he cut the rear and did some welding on that too because I was checking out the weld work (since I do a decent amount of welding at work) and seen that he had some pretty huge welds on it. Probably a little overkill. I will try to get up under it and see if there are crumple zones though when I get home from work.