david85
Full Access Member
I have no idea how long it will take to get this done. Don't expect a speedy conclusion on this thread.
Some of you may remember I've been mulling over a 4wd conversion of my truck for just about as long as I've had it. Even with LSD on the back, it's utterly hopeless in the snow, mud or... wet grass. As much as I wanted to make a TTB setup work, I came to my senses and bought an F350 parts truck a couple weeks ago. The donor truck is a 1996, so it is a balljoint front end but I don't expect to break things any time soon. I only run stock tires and don't plan to wheel this truck.
It also means that my era of cruising with 3.08 gears will eventually come to an end. The Dana60 is 3.55 gears, so the original 4.10s that came with my truck won't work either. But, as it so happens I do have another 1986 donor truck that should have a 3.55 sterling rear end.
So in theory, I have everything I need in order to install an OEM spec, leaf spring front end. This swap has been done many times before, so I'm hoping to get some opinions from others.
After pulling the axle and springs, it seems clear where the weak link is. The front shackles have a very small upper bushing that's about half the size of the leaf spring bushing directly below. It is of course trashed. I also looked at a 1999 superduty recently and noticed they have rear shackles from factory. They also have fullsize bushings on top and bottom. I know there are aftermarket RSK kits for the 80-96 trucks but those all come with a built in lift, which I don't want. As it is, the truck will be 3" taller.
My first question is, how much of a difference in ride does the RSK make for a truck that was already equipped with monobeam front end? I'm trying to imagine how much of a difference I can expect if going from Twin I-Beam 2wd to a stock 1996 style monobeam.
It looks like the 1st gen superduty has a solid mount bushing that could be adapted for a rear shackle setup fairly cleanly. I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth the trouble. Looking at photos online, it may interfere with the front cab mount.
Some of you may remember I've been mulling over a 4wd conversion of my truck for just about as long as I've had it. Even with LSD on the back, it's utterly hopeless in the snow, mud or... wet grass. As much as I wanted to make a TTB setup work, I came to my senses and bought an F350 parts truck a couple weeks ago. The donor truck is a 1996, so it is a balljoint front end but I don't expect to break things any time soon. I only run stock tires and don't plan to wheel this truck.
It also means that my era of cruising with 3.08 gears will eventually come to an end. The Dana60 is 3.55 gears, so the original 4.10s that came with my truck won't work either. But, as it so happens I do have another 1986 donor truck that should have a 3.55 sterling rear end.
So in theory, I have everything I need in order to install an OEM spec, leaf spring front end. This swap has been done many times before, so I'm hoping to get some opinions from others.
After pulling the axle and springs, it seems clear where the weak link is. The front shackles have a very small upper bushing that's about half the size of the leaf spring bushing directly below. It is of course trashed. I also looked at a 1999 superduty recently and noticed they have rear shackles from factory. They also have fullsize bushings on top and bottom. I know there are aftermarket RSK kits for the 80-96 trucks but those all come with a built in lift, which I don't want. As it is, the truck will be 3" taller.
My first question is, how much of a difference in ride does the RSK make for a truck that was already equipped with monobeam front end? I'm trying to imagine how much of a difference I can expect if going from Twin I-Beam 2wd to a stock 1996 style monobeam.
It looks like the 1st gen superduty has a solid mount bushing that could be adapted for a rear shackle setup fairly cleanly. I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth the trouble. Looking at photos online, it may interfere with the front cab mount.
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