05+ super duty axles?

[plugugly]

anyone around here install a set? I can get a pair of them for less than people want for a chevy 60. Several companies make radius arm kits for them (ruff stuff and WFO for instance). Coilover towers are easy enough to find, or make.

The biggest concerns/questions I have are, how does the frame hold up to a radius arm mount, and would coilover or coil buckets near the steering box really screw the frame since that seems to be a weak spot anyway? Im also curious about pumpkin clearance, being that its even wider than the earlier kingpin ford 60's.

 

[squaredeal91]

I did a fird SD axle under one because it was cheaper lol. I recommend getting 2004 and up like I did. The earlier ones looked the same but is actually a Dana 50 not a 60. There pinions are weak but still good for pavement pounders. The SD axle purches are much wider than our squares. If there's a will there's a way.

 

[plugugly]

Im not looking at the 04 and early. Those require a lot more work to get into vehicles with either new spring hangers to go wider, or trusses and link mounts on the axle.

Im talking the 05 and up radius arm axles. Ill try and amend the title to eliminate confusion.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

I did a fird SD axle under one because it was cheaper lol. I recommend getting 2004 and up like I did. The earlier ones looked the same but is actually a Dana 50 not a 60. There pinions are weak but still good for pavement pounders. The SD axle purches are much wider than our squares. If there's a will there's a way.

It's a non-issue, given the '05+ request, but your info isn't 100% correct. '04-down DID use Dana 60s, as well as Dana 50s.

'05+ Dana 60s have more robust unit bearings. They're definitely a go-to axle for the rock crawler/bouncer crowd.

@plugugly - What are you planning on doing for a transfer case, given that the Ford is a driver-drop axle?

Regarding the frame question, the Super Duty frames are boxed in the front, and are much beefier in-general than anything square body. My experience is with '03-'08 F350 frames (and F250), which I used for a previous project. They're pure beef! If it were me, I would definitely plan on reinforcing the square body frame if this is the route you go.

 

[squaredeal91]

It's a non-issue, given the '05+ request, but your info isn't 100% correct. '04-down DID use Dana 60s, as well as Dana 50s.

'05+ Dana 60s have more robust unit bearings. They're definitely a go-to axle for the rock crawler/bouncer crowd.

@plugugly - What are you planning on doing for a transfer case, given that the Ford is a driver-drop axle?

Regarding the frame question, the Super Duty frames are boxed in the front, and are much beefier in-general than anything square body. My experience is with '03-'08 F350 frames (and F250), which I used for a previous project. They're pure beef! If it were me, I would definitely plan on reinforcing the square body frame if this is the route you go.

I don't think the Original post title said 05+ when I first looked lol.

 

[plugugly]

I don't think the Original post title said 05+ when I first looked lol.

It did not, I stated I would amend it above to remove the confusion

 

[plugugly]

@plugugly - What are you planning on doing for a transfer case, given that the Ford is a driver-drop axle?

driver drop 241. Its gonna get a 6.0/4L80 as well.

I put a solid axle on radius arms in the front of a big bronco many years ago, but it had coil buckets and radius arms to start with which negated some of my concerns. The radius arm mount issue is easy enuf to resolve with a "wide" bracket that spreads the load, or tie it into a crossmember.

The front frame is what concerns me most. Obviously ORD is running coilovers in the front of their stuff, but aside from tying them together at the top, Im curious what else need be reinforced.

 

[Blazerbiker]

We've played with the SD axles and there are places that they can work OK. They're not a great substitute for a GM D60 in a lot of cases. If you're doing an entire drivetrain swap that involves an engine that works OK with shorty headers or native manifolds, it'll work. The high pinion on the "wrong" side makes exhaust difficult. Obviously you need a LH transfer case and if that's part of your drivetrain swap, that helps.

Want long tube headers? Low pinion GM axle is your choice. Same if you already have a RH transfer case that you like. Low ride height desire can be a thing too, the high pinion and big diff can eat up bump travel. Ground clearance is also not great unless you remove the factory mounting points and start over.

In the OP's case with the drivetrain swap going on, the ford axle is definitely on the table. If you keep radius arms, keep them really flat and pay attention to your castor angle. They don't run much to start with so you can't take any away.