Suspension choices with pros and cons

[chillman88]

Ok gang I have a couple different projects in mind and a few different ideas between them.

Project #1 is my F350. I want to do a 4x4 swap. Parts I have nailed down but here's the catch. I don't want a whole lot of lift. I was tossing the idea of an RSK around but that would be even more lift. I bought it for hauling a camper. It's not a trail truck but I would like to have 4x4 for inclement weather and muddy fields/parking lots.

Project #2 is a F250 Frankenstein project. It will be 4x4 and height is not a problem. Really I'd love to run 285/75/16s. This would be a combo of winter beater daily driver.


My IDEA here (and don't shoot me for the suggestion) is what about putting the D50 TTB I have under the F350 since it will see almost only highway use and put the D60 I have under the 250 with an RSK? This should give me the best solution for both trucks in theory, and low lift on the 350 too.

Yes I know the D50 TTB isn't that great but there are thousands of trucks out there still running them so they can't be THAT bad?

 

[snicklas]

That was what I was going to suggest. That’s the setup that f250..... had on “chip truck”. The dually adapters will bolt on, and that gives you a lower 4x4 setup.

I’m sure you are planning on going through it while it’s off. If you replace all the consumables on the chicken wing, it should give you good service.

I personally don’t have anything against the TTB axle. All the Ford 4x4’s, except the Excursion had the TTB. Keep it serviced, just like anything else and it will serve you well. I’d think if you broke a D-50 with the usage you are describing, you were doing something you shouldn’t be.....

 

[chillman88]

Thanks, my only potential concern is the D60 I have is a cab and chassis dually front. I think the hubs should swap between the 50 and the 60 so that should be a wash right?

I’d think if you broke a D-50 with the usage you are describing, you were doing something you shouldn’t be.....

Certainly wouldn't be the first time



Oddly... The alignment dowel for the dually D60 is 180 degrees out from my 2wd. I had to remove the dowel to get my 2wd wheel bolted on, ***??

 

[snicklas]

The front axles are the same, it’s from the cab back that’s different. A Ford spec front D-60, is the same except the hubs, either srw or drw. The dually adapters/hub since there are both, move the front wheel to the proper location with the rear wheels. The center of the front tire is almost centered between the duals on the back. You can see that in the snow.....

The width difference is in the rear axle. A swr pickup and c&c axle is close in width, and a dwr axle is 6+ inches wider.

 

[chillman88]

@snicklas yes I'm aware of that but there seems to be some questions as to if the d60 DUALLY hubs will fit the SRW D50 and vise versa. I have heard it "should" but I haven't verified that.

 

[chillman88]

Here comes @laserjock to tell me we already discussed that

 

[laserjock]

Here comes @laserjock to tell me we already discussed that

Wait...what....

 

[chillman88]

Wait...what....

The D60 vs D50 hub thing, you and I already discussed that in some thread somewhere lol

 

[laserjock]

The D60 vs D50 hub thing, you and I already discussed that in some thread somewhere lol

Oh! Yeah we did. Here I thought my name was being taken in vain because I just happened to pass through that thread.

BTW, they will bolt.

[emoji16]

 

[chillman88]

Oh! Yeah we did. Here I thought my name was being taken in vain because I just happened to pass through that thread.

BTW, they will bolt.

[emoji16]

I just happened to see your name while I was replying lol

 

[chillman88]

On a semi half related note, is there a difference between the engine cross member between an IDI and a powerstroke 7.3 in an OBS?

 

[laserjock]

On a semi half related note, is there a difference between the engine cross member between an IDI and a powerstroke 7.3 in an OBS?

@IDIoit

 

[ifrythings]

460, IDI and Powerstroke all share the same crossmember but the crossmember is different between 2wd and 4x4. The 2wd doesn’t have the indents and holes punched out for the TTB pivot brackets which is going to be the hardest thing to do is make sure everything is perfectly lined up before you drill the holes. Also the 2wd front frame doesn’t have the reinforcement on the passenger side frame rail and the drivers side is not as long. The front spring mounts are easy to do but you will have to drill out the holes, cut the frame rail and make a spacer for front schakles.


Mite also consider the newer 05+ axle swap.

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[chillman88]

but the crossmember is different between 2wd and 4x4. The 2wd doesn’t have the indents and holes punched out for the TTB pivot brackets which is going to be the hardest thing to do is make sure everything is perfectly lined up before you drill the holes. Also the 2wd front frame doesn’t have the reinforcement on the passenger side frame rail and the drivers side is not as long.

Well if this works out right none of those issues are an issue. I'll be dealing with three trucks and can swap parts around. I can swap the whole crossmember with the TTB and can cut the frame braces off the D60 donor for the 2wd truck.

EDIT: The coil spring swap has two cons. Height, and cost would be greater since I can practially steal this F250. It's convoluted but I have my 2wd F350, a D60 donor with a rotted frame but good title, and a line on an F250 with a good frame but no title.

 

[ifrythings]

Well if this works out right none of those issues are an issue. I'll be dealing with three trucks and can swap parts around. I can swap the whole crossmember with the TTB and can cut the frame braces off the D60 donor for the 2wd truck.

Your better off doing a frame swap than trying to r&r the front crossmember, it’s riveted and welded in, whatever front suspension that’s on it to be removed, cab unbolt at the least in the front and a ton of work to just pull it out, then doing all that again on the 4x4 crossmember.

If you can accept a 2-4” lift the d60 is way easier to install, that’s what I did. Keep in mind all the crap you have to remove also from the 2wd frame and the 4x4 frame to swap over. Getting the placement just right so the axle isn’t angled.... if you go to the newer front axle it’s just a bolt in kit, drill some holes and your done but that comes with some cons too like needing metric rims that are a minimum of 17”.