REAR END QUESTION

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I am looking at replacing the rear-end in my truck with something that has disc-brakes and is stronger than a DANA-80.

What is under the disc-brake equipped F-450 or F-550??

What ratios are prevalent??

I would like to stay with 3:54 if I could.

Also, what rear was used in the original F-450 rear-disc equipped Super Duty trucks??( the ones built in the 80's that had genuine straight front axles)

 

[Duke]

I am looking at replacing the rear-end in my truck with something that has disc-brakes and is stronger than a DANA-80.

What is under the disc-brake equipped F-450 or F-550??

What ratios are prevalent??

I would like to stay with 3:54 if I could.

Also, what rear was used in the original F-450 rear-disc equipped Super Duty trucks??( the ones built in the 80's that had genuine straight front axles)

The '99-'00 F450 had a 4.88 with the diesel or a 5.38 with the v-10 gasser. The '00-'06 F450 has 4.30 and 4.88 with the diesel and 4.88 or 5.38 with the v-10 gasser.
Up until '04 or '05, the F450 had a D-80, then they switched to a D-110.

The '99-'06 F550 has the D-135. 4.88 with the diesel and 4.88 or 5.38 with the v-10 gasser.

The most prevalent ratio is the 4.88 rear.

3.54's are not available as a stock rear. You'd have to get an R&P change or see if you can order a rear with 3.54's.

I'm pretty sure the old original F450 had the 5.13 with the 460 gasser, not sure if they had taller gears available for the diesel.

 

[Joey D]

I think the older F Superdutys had the dana 80 rear axle in them, same as GM was using on the old 3500hd. They ran massive rear disc brakes though, 15in I think.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Thanks for the info.

I would sure like to find one of the older 450 Super Duty cheap to rob the front and rear.

I am not a big fan of ring-and-pinion swaps; as I have about one in three to not fail, regardless of how good a mechanic sets them up. If nothing else, they will ring like a bell when running slack.

Seems like that is one thing that the factory can get right more than anyone else.

But, if I can find one of these rears, I guess a swap to 3:54 is not out of the question.

And that genuine straight, leaf-sprung axle on the front would have to be a dramatic improvement over the tire eating, wandering, Twin-I-Beam mess that I have.

 

[Duke]

Sounds like a good plan. What you need to find is a good rear shop that stands behind their work. I take it your truck is a 2WD dually??

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I take it your truck is a 2WD dually??

My truck is 1-ton dual-rear-wheel 2wd cab-chassis.

I wouldn't be opposed to swapping in a leaf-sprung 4wd front axle some time, though.

A guy up the road took a Dana 60 front 4wd axle that had a busted gear-housing, removed the tubes, replaced them with one tube straight across (eliminating the front differential), and put it under the front of his 2wd ton to get rid of the independent junk. It worked out real good and drives like a truck should.

 

[Duke]

My truck is 1-ton dual-rear-wheel 2wd cab-chassis.

I wouldn't be opposed to swapping in a leaf-sprung 4wd front axle some time, though.

A guy up the road took a Dana 60 front 4wd axle that had a busted gear-housing, removed the tubes, replaced them with one tube straight across (eliminating the front differential), and put it under the front of his 2wd ton to get rid of the independent junk. It worked out real good and drives like a truck should.

I would think the older style "F-Superduty" would be the ticket. The older one had a tubular solid front axle too, IIRC. It would be plenty stout enough. Start looking in salvage yards. If the center section on the rear is beat, no biggie, you have to put a 3.54 in it anyway.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Just an educated guess, what kind of dollars do you project that the rear out of an older 450 would cost??

The front, springs and all??

 

[kblackav8or]

There is a used international rear axle on Ebay right now. Probably a rockwell or something. Might work. Looks like it has hydraulic brakes from the pic.

 

[Duke]

Just an educated guess, what kind of dollars do you project that the rear out of an older 450 would cost??

The front, springs and all??

I'd say ~$1,000 if they're in good condition, but I think they'll just suggest you buy the whole truck. That way you'd have lots of extra parts for your truck, too!

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

That was kinda my plan if I could find a burnt one, or one with a bad engine.

Thanks for all the information.

I guess also, if I get a whole truck, I could swap in the hydro-boost brakes.

 

[towcat]

Where are you at?
I have a F450 glider chassis for sale. no eng, no trans, no hydro. But the suspension and axles are still there.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Is it the original F-450, or the later style??

Does it have rear disc-brakes??

How much cash??

In Texas, I might chance it; but, if it is in California, then it is a bit too far from Kentucky.

 

[94f450sd]

before you get all excited over this.if you are going to run an F450 rear axle in your f350 you will also need the F450 trannyor have your out put shaft changed or get a 4WD tranny cuz the f450 rear axle does not have a parking brake.the parking break on the f450s is on the tranny.its a suck setup and i do not like it.itsnot user serviceable and when the break shoes wear out you need to replace the whole assembly at 16-1800 dollars,unless you got connections like i do at the ford dealer that will order the parts seperately for you.but then its a PITA cuz you need to put everything back in the same orientation including the 4 nuts and bolts or have it rebalanced.if i could put the ebreak on the rear in f450 i would.94-97 f450s had 5.13gears with the dieselswith auto trans,not sure if the powerstroke had the 5.13s.the diesel with 5 speed and gas jobs had 4.88s.the 94-97 f450s had the dana 80s.the f450s front axle will not fit in a 4WD front suspension.the spacing between the springs on the f450 is 1/2" wider than a 4WD.i looked into this already for my F350.i was gonna put the f450 front suspension under my f4350 for futureplans for a 4WD conversion.another issue with putting anF450 front suspension in an F350 is that you will need to lift the rear of the truck 2-4" to level the truck out as the F450 sits alot higher than an F350.

i have an f350 with a possible 2nd F350 on its way and 4 f450s.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

We were talking about the real F-450's made several years earlier than the new style Super Duties.

As to transplanting stuff where it is not meant to be, I have rode that horse many times before.

It is a simple matter to incorporate a drive-shaft brake, if need be.

Also, one of the first things that goes on any truck I have is a Mico Hydraulic Brake Lock.

I have also been known to install hydraulic lift-jacks behind the rear wheels that will raise the hind wheels off the ground out-rigger style; nothing is going nowhere when the jacks are down.