Suspension choices with pros and cons

[Thewespaul]

Personally, I would put the 60 under whatever you’re gonna put miles on, but that’s mostly opinion based because of my own axle preference... but something to consider is the turning radius with the 50. If you’re going to be using the dually to pull long trailers, you’re gonna hate the turning radius of the 50, as well as the ride quality. But I can understand the want for keeping the front end low, I’ll probably be lowering the shop truck this next year myself.

 

[chillman88]

Your better off doing a frame swap than trying to r&r the front crossmember...

Kinda hard to put a Crew Cab Dually on a regular cab frame!

I can definitely reconsider and use the D60 though. Then it boils down to do I SAS or just deal with the ride being harsh....

@Thewespaul how bad is the turning radius difference between the two compared to the 2wd? This thing already needs half a stadium....

 

[Thewespaul]

Looking through my old ford literature I’m not seeing any solid numbers. Could have sworn I saw somewhere that laid out the turning radius between models. You’re gonna have a wider turning radius going 4x4 no matter what, the 60 you’ll get used to pretty quick, the 50 you’ll complain every time you need to turn around. I recently did pivot bushings on a customers 50 because his wife complained about not being able to turn around in their culdesac without stopping. That bad

 

[chillman88]

Looking through my old ford literature I’m not seeing any solid numbers. Could have sworn I saw somewhere that laid out the turning radius between models. You’re gonna have a wider turning radius going 4x4 no matter what, the 60 you’ll get used to pretty quick, the 50 you’ll complain every time you need to turn around. I recently did pivot bushings on a customers 50 because his wife complained about not being able to turn around in their culdesac without stopping. That bad

Guess that answers that....

 

[austin92]

Where I park at home I can do a single point turn around in my 2wd and it takes a 2 point turn to get the dana 50 turned around. Coming from a 2wd, the first time I drove the dana 50 truck I got out and looked under the front end to make sure something wasn’t binding. It’s bad... lol the only dana 60 truck I’ve drove turned like my 2wd

 

[chillman88]

Wow I had no idea it was THAT bad!

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Well put it this way, do you have the whole 40 acres? If not, you won't be turning around without using reverse. I hate that about mine.

 

[tjsea]

I thought this was an interesting idea and could eliminate the need to modify the frame horns in a 4x4 swap. Yes I saw its pricey, but I just thought it was an interesting idea. https://cpaddict.com/dana-50-ttb-front-leaf-spring-delete-kit/

 

[chillman88]

I thought this was an interesting idea and could eliminate the need to modify the frame horns in a 4x4 swap. Yes I saw its pricey, but I just thought it was an interesting idea. https://cpaddict.com/dana-50-ttb-front-leaf-spring-delete-kit/

Sheesh, you'd think it would be cheaper to just put heavier knuckles on an F150 TTB lol! Neat idea but my wallet hurts just seeing that!

 

[tbrumm]

I thought this was an interesting idea and could eliminate the need to modify the frame horns in a 4x4 swap. Yes I saw its pricey, but I just thought it was an interesting idea. https://cpaddict.com/dana-50-ttb-front-leaf-spring-delete-kit/

Makes a swap to the D60 look like a real bargain, doesn't it. I can't believe there is a market for that kit. If you want coil springs that badly, swap in a setup from a newer Ford truck (is it 2011 and up?) with coils, radius arms and more importantly, the straight axle!

 

[laserjock]

That’s a neat looking kit but holy crap. All that and you still would have the D50 wear issues. Bet it rides nice though.

 

[SebastIDIan]

I've been towing my 5er camper with my 250 4" lift on 37s since my 350 IDI's been down. Doable but sucks.
Once I'm finished with it'll have 2 inches of lift which isn't bad at all considering how frickin tall these trucks come from the factory now.
If you do a 2" RSK and a D60 you should be able to level it with a 4" block in the back.
Though I didn't want any lift either, I'm willing to sacrifice that for a better axle and ride and 4wd.

 

[mblaney]

I think the D60 is worth it even JUST for the turning radius. D50 sucks donkey balls IMO. Two years with my D60 swap and I am still surprised occasionally. D50 is useless handling a trailer

 

[chillman88]

I think the D60 is worth it even JUST for the turning radius. D50 sucks donkey balls IMO. Two years with my D60 swap and I am still surprised occasionally. D50 is useless handling a trailer

Yeah I didn't know the D50 had a worse radius or I wouldn't have considered it honestly. Reg cab is one thing but crew cab? Forget it.

 

[Dirtleg]

Just a thought. If you're concerned about the height of the truck with a D60 under the front, My F350 4x4 hasn't been too tall for towing anything I've ever hooked up to. Including gooseneck stuff. If getting in is a concern just get some steps. Wait you might have running boards now? Hmm.