1991 2wd F250 diesel to 4WD, divorced NP205
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
1991 2wd F250 diesel to 4WD, divorced NP205
I'm getting ready to do a 4wd Dana 60 swap to my 1991 2wd F-250 (7.3L diesel-E4OD) using a Ford NP205 divorced t-case. I've been thinking about all the work involved in the swap, I have a couple of questions some of you might be able to answer. I'm using a 1989 F350 4x4 as a donor for the Dana 60 front axle, springs, hangers and etc. Everything I need for the swap for $400. I can handle all the fabrication and installation work myself as I have all the tools needed between my home and work toolboxes. I have a buddy at a driveline shop who can weld and balance my driveshafts once I cut and fit them.
Pitman arm - if I take the pitman arm from the 89 donor will it fit my 91's steering box? I'm taking ALL the steering gear from the donor. Anyone here got any pics of a complete NP205 divorced t-case in a Ford truck with the shift linkage installed? Any year ok. I just want to see what the stock mounts look like on a divorced case.
Here's a pic of my 91 and some pics of the donor gear to be used.
Pitman arm - if I take the pitman arm from the 89 donor will it fit my 91's steering box? I'm taking ALL the steering gear from the donor. Anyone here got any pics of a complete NP205 divorced t-case in a Ford truck with the shift linkage installed? Any year ok. I just want to see what the stock mounts look like on a divorced case.
Here's a pic of my 91 and some pics of the donor gear to be used.
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
I talked to a connection I have at the local spring shop about re-arching my front leaf springs to add 3" of height for the D60 - He's gonna hook me up dirt cheap with the arching and new u-bolts front and rear....Is 3" too much for a stock spring or should I go more? I figured with the added weight of my IDI over the 351W in the 89 donor the extra arch would be just about right??? I didn't want to get the front shackles standing up too straight.
Are there lift blocks available for the front axle to give the truck some more height above the D60?
Are there lift blocks available for the front axle to give the truck some more height above the D60?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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Why gain the lift by re-arching the spring? That was a neg arch spring right? You want to arch it to gain some lift? That is going to shorten the spring, place the shackle at a crazy angle and ride terrible.
How are you planning on mounting the springs? You are not planning on using the stock hangers and shackles are you?
Most guys with these year trucks are throwing the front shackle stuff in the trash, and using a reverse shackle kit. This places the pivot at the rear of the spring, and makes the truck ride much better. These kits are cheap, and will take all of the guess work out of the equation. At the same time, it offers a variety of lifts without getting crazy with the springs.
Heak a stock Super Duty spring, I think "V" code and a shackle reversal kit would net over 6 inches of lift, and ride really well.
How are you planning on mounting the springs? You are not planning on using the stock hangers and shackles are you?
Most guys with these year trucks are throwing the front shackle stuff in the trash, and using a reverse shackle kit. This places the pivot at the rear of the spring, and makes the truck ride much better. These kits are cheap, and will take all of the guess work out of the equation. At the same time, it offers a variety of lifts without getting crazy with the springs.
Heak a stock Super Duty spring, I think "V" code and a shackle reversal kit would net over 6 inches of lift, and ride really well.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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You may never see any off road use, and this shackle reversal wil still be the best thing you can do. This is really designed with street use in mind.
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/ford1.htm
This link is where you want to go. It islisted for the 92 to 97 trucks, but the concepts are the same, ans since you have to mdify the frame anyway, you can use this design to facilitate your swap.
As you can see there are two lengths available, and as you read about the concept, you will see how much value is in this product. The terrible front shackle design should be avaoided at all costs. It was a very poor design. Notice that the Super Duty does not use it? They went away from this design for a reason. It just did not work, or drive well.
There are several threads that willl offer much reading on this topic. Should maybe search "SAS" or "solid axle swap", and you will see the many different combinations that our members have done.
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/ford1.htm
This link is where you want to go. It islisted for the 92 to 97 trucks, but the concepts are the same, ans since you have to mdify the frame anyway, you can use this design to facilitate your swap.
As you can see there are two lengths available, and as you read about the concept, you will see how much value is in this product. The terrible front shackle design should be avaoided at all costs. It was a very poor design. Notice that the Super Duty does not use it? They went away from this design for a reason. It just did not work, or drive well.
There are several threads that willl offer much reading on this topic. Should maybe search "SAS" or "solid axle swap", and you will see the many different combinations that our members have done.
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Man, that kit is not cheap at $350. I could make that kit myself for less than $50 in steel and buy some shackles at Parts for Trucks. I'll probably go with the stock setup for now as I don't have the coin for a kit like that. Other than drilling some holes it should be pretty much a bolt in swap as far as I can see.
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Spent the day at the junkyard today getting my Dana 60 4x4 front axle and parts....Me and the old man - 7hrs later came home with the parts....LOL....
:dunno It was a battle. The rear spring hangers (rear of front springs) are toast so I didn't waste my time with them. Got pretty much everything else in peace. The only differences in the 2wd and 4wd frames that we noticed are the front ends where the shackle mounts....From what I see it's a minor detail to deal with. A spacer will need to be made for the 2wd frame - piece of cake.;Sweet
Here's the axle tag, 4.10's I think.-cuss ...I need 3.55's to match the rear - anyone got a set of D60 3.55's to trade for some 4.10's??? I'm also in the market for the spring hangers mentioned above. I'm taking the axle and t-case to work to steam them off. Then I'll paint the axle and disassemble it for some new gears, seals and brakes. The t-case is being traded for the NP205 case this week. I have 2 spare 2pc driveshafts to use for the swap. Both are from crew cabs.
:dunno It was a battle. The rear spring hangers (rear of front springs) are toast so I didn't waste my time with them. Got pretty much everything else in peace. The only differences in the 2wd and 4wd frames that we noticed are the front ends where the shackle mounts....From what I see it's a minor detail to deal with. A spacer will need to be made for the 2wd frame - piece of cake.;Sweet Here's the axle tag, 4.10's I think.-cuss ...I need 3.55's to match the rear - anyone got a set of D60 3.55's to trade for some 4.10's??? I'm also in the market for the spring hangers mentioned above. I'm taking the axle and t-case to work to steam them off. Then I'll paint the axle and disassemble it for some new gears, seals and brakes. The t-case is being traded for the NP205 case this week. I have 2 spare 2pc driveshafts to use for the swap. Both are from crew cabs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Long Island, NY
Can sombody please post some pictures of there divorced set up? I am about to do the same on my truck...https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/93...vorced-tc.html
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