trasher the front end need help!
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New User
Joined: Feb 2010
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trasher the front end need help!
alright guys my buddy plowed into a snow mound and broke a lot of stuff on the front end of his 91 f 250 7.3 idi and now we want to do a straight axel swap and i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about the easiest way to go about this and where we might be able to locate parts around fort wayne indiana. we have checked a few junk yards but havent had much luck looking for a 91 f350 straight axel.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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Good luck with the auto junk yard, there arnt many left that dont know what a dana 60 is.
Your best bet would be to search online for a cheap f350 4x4 near you to steal the axle out of.
Where are you located, if your close enough I could probably help you out.
Your best bet would be to search online for a cheap f350 4x4 near you to steal the axle out of.
Where are you located, if your close enough I could probably help you out.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
The best cantidates for the swap are 81 to 97 F 350 Dana 60's.
King pins up to 91, ball joint from 92 to 97.
You need the axle, tie rods, trac bar and frame mounted trac bar bracket, and the under axle bracket for the U bolts on the drivers side spring and some new U bolts.
Front drive shaft will probably still work with the 60.
King pins up to 91, ball joint from 92 to 97.
You need the axle, tie rods, trac bar and frame mounted trac bar bracket, and the under axle bracket for the U bolts on the drivers side spring and some new U bolts.
Front drive shaft will probably still work with the 60.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
On the west coast, I've been seeing them go for $5-800 with the king pin versions getting a premium. The ball joint version will suit your needs just fine though.
Jason
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 859
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From: Port Orchard, WA
If you swap out your front axle don't you need to change the rear so that the gears match?
I'm in the same boat, front right stub shaft busted on my '86, I think it's the 44. Looking at upgrading to a 50 or D60 if i can find one in the junk yard, but then i'd have to grab the rear, too, if i'm not mistaken. Then this would change my gear ratio and I might be in trouble with fuel economy.
But I use this truck a lot for offroading, that's how this shaft broke. So a heavier one would be nice.
Doesn't the straight tube cause ground-clearance issues that you wouldn't have with the 44?
Hopefully this will answer some questions for the OP, too.
Thanks
-Matt
I'm in the same boat, front right stub shaft busted on my '86, I think it's the 44. Looking at upgrading to a 50 or D60 if i can find one in the junk yard, but then i'd have to grab the rear, too, if i'm not mistaken. Then this would change my gear ratio and I might be in trouble with fuel economy.
But I use this truck a lot for offroading, that's how this shaft broke. So a heavier one would be nice.
Doesn't the straight tube cause ground-clearance issues that you wouldn't have with the 44?
Hopefully this will answer some questions for the OP, too.
Thanks
-Matt
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
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From: Faibanks Ak.
Most ford 4X were either 3.55 or 4.10 gears with the fronts being 3.54 or 4.09. just get the right one to match your rear. The D 60 does not hurt ground clearance and is way harder to break, it does not actually get as much traction offroad but it is not terribably noticable. They are a must if you want to lift your rig much and run large tires.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,420
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From: Maryland
Most ford 4X were either 3.55 or 4.10 gears with the fronts being 3.54 or 4.09. just get the right one to match your rear. The D 60 does not hurt ground clearance and is way harder to break, it does not actually get as much traction offroad but it is not terribably noticable. They are a must if you want to lift your rig much and run large tires.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
The dumb hillbillies here in WV must have swapped out the front axle under every 350 in several states.
I have never seen an F 350 with a TTB front axle.
From the Dana website, I know Dana sold them to Ford and Ford used them, but I have never seen one.
I have even gone out looking for them when I am riding around on a weekend killing time.
Maybe one day I will see one.
This week I was looking at a couple trucks with my son.
An 85 and an 83 350, both had 60's under them.
Also looked at a 76 350, again a 60 under it.
I have never seen an F 350 with a TTB front axle.
From the Dana website, I know Dana sold them to Ford and Ford used them, but I have never seen one.
I have even gone out looking for them when I am riding around on a weekend killing time.
Maybe one day I will see one.
This week I was looking at a couple trucks with my son.
An 85 and an 83 350, both had 60's under them.
Also looked at a 76 350, again a 60 under it.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
I took pictures of one a couple of years ago, but never got around to hooking up a scanner. And one of my kids broke the memory card on my digital that I have yet to replace.
I caught an early 80's crew cab on a car lot a month back. Whipped around thinking diesel? D60?, clean? Struck out on all three. 460, D50 and at least the top of the cab looked good going by at 35 mph.
I'll get my camera working and go hunting.
If you look at Dana's tech information, they show no front 60 BOM's from 1980- 85.5.
Jason
I caught an early 80's crew cab on a car lot a month back. Whipped around thinking diesel? D60?, clean? Struck out on all three. 460, D50 and at least the top of the cab looked good going by at 35 mph.
I'll get my camera working and go hunting.
If you look at Dana's tech information, they show no front 60 BOM's from 1980- 85.5.
Jason
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I saw that.
I also see F350 Dana 60's in that age group.
Since I have had my head under several with 60's under them and have never seen a 350 with a 50 under it, I don't know what to say except I have seen incorrect info in books before.
Only other option would be every one of them were swapped out, no wonder 60's command such a high price here.
If you find a 60 for less than 1500, you better grab it.
I know where a salvage yard is with probably 80 trucks in that age group.
And every 350 4x4 has a 60 under it.
I also see F350 Dana 60's in that age group.
Since I have had my head under several with 60's under them and have never seen a 350 with a 50 under it, I don't know what to say except I have seen incorrect info in books before.
Only other option would be every one of them were swapped out, no wonder 60's command such a high price here.
If you find a 60 for less than 1500, you better grab it.
I know where a salvage yard is with probably 80 trucks in that age group.
And every 350 4x4 has a 60 under it.
