I need stronger front axles for our f250 that will fit or be adaptable to a '68. For 24 years I have taken passengers up a mountain road that is a fairly severe application. We make two trips a week during the summer with around 12 passengers. That adds up to 600 miles a year and that is all it is used for. In that time we have broken five or six axle assemblies in the king pin area and have broken two spindles. Those failures end our trip and we have to be rescued with another vehicle. We usually fail 2 to 6 universal joints a year which is not a problem as we carry spares, but just indicates the kind of loading. In fact most of those are replaced at home as they loosen up before they fail and we grease them every two trips. We have twisted off a couple of drive shafts the last few years. The road gets tougher every year as the dirt erodes away from the boulders. I think a Uni-mog would be ideal, but would be concerned about repair parts availability.
This is one of the trips we provide to guests of our guest ranch. See www.hawleymountain.com
[img] [/img]
Ron Jarrett
We really need stronger axles. Would also like differential lock front and rear and more gear reduction. We have just been replacing axles with those from salvage yards, but I think you guys might have a lot more information than I concerning what is available. Any advice would be appreciated.front axle upgrade for mountain travel
Moderators: FORDification, Doug Comer
-
- New Member
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:41 pm
front axle upgrade for mountain travel
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- New Member
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:09 am
Re: front axle upgrade for mountain travel
dana 60 #610023 78-79 found on some 78 and 79 F-350s and some 250s. I have pretty much same truck with 60 and gm 14 bolt too much weight for stock pieces. Also run 4.88 gears.If you do not want to change gears you only have 3.55s or 4.10s to choose from.
-
- Blue Oval Guru
- Posts: 1177
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:01 pm
- Location: Burney Ca.
Re: front axle upgrade for mountain travel
One ton time my friend
-Mike-
ECV 1849
Build>http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopi ... 22&t=68225
69' F250 Highboy 390ci.,NP435,Dana 24,HPD44,D60
67' Dodge Coronet R/T 440ci.4speed,D60, all numbers correct
72' Dodge Dart 440ci.727,D60,10ptcage street strip on meth 10.40s
05' Chevy Tahoe LT loaded for the wife an the baby duty
12' Ford Focus Titanium Hatch Back, Gas saver for the work week
ECV 1849
Build>http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopi ... 22&t=68225
69' F250 Highboy 390ci.,NP435,Dana 24,HPD44,D60
67' Dodge Coronet R/T 440ci.4speed,D60, all numbers correct
72' Dodge Dart 440ci.727,D60,10ptcage street strip on meth 10.40s
05' Chevy Tahoe LT loaded for the wife an the baby duty
12' Ford Focus Titanium Hatch Back, Gas saver for the work week
- 1972hiboy
- 100% FORDified!
- Posts: 2421
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:44 pm
- Location: California, Santa Cruz
Re: front axle upgrade for mountain travel
yeah the 78-79 front dana 60 will be the way to go for the front. the 4.88 gears will give you the gear reduction the rear end you may want to modifie something beefy in like a gm 14bolt or a sterling. you can get drive shafts made of bigger tubing and have them made to adapt a bigger universal joint.
Rich
1973 f350 super c/s 460/c6 22k orig miles
1972 f350 srw crewcab special 390
1972 f250 4x4 sport custom 390fe Red
1972 f250 4x4 custom 360 FE " Ranger Ric"
1972 f250 4x4 custom 84k og miles 390
1971 f250 4x4 sport custom 56k og miles. 360
1970 f250 4x4 428 fe hp60 205 d60
Dont eat yellow snow.....
1973 f350 super c/s 460/c6 22k orig miles
1972 f350 srw crewcab special 390
1972 f250 4x4 sport custom 390fe Red
1972 f250 4x4 custom 360 FE " Ranger Ric"
1972 f250 4x4 custom 84k og miles 390
1971 f250 4x4 sport custom 56k og miles. 360
1970 f250 4x4 428 fe hp60 205 d60
Dont eat yellow snow.....
- tnab1970
- New Member
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2013 12:48 pm
- Location: Cleburne, Texas
Re: front axle upgrade for mountain travel
I was looking for something else and saw this add on craigslist add says in Colorado springs
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/4605134071.html
It is a pair of F550 front and rear axles with 4.88 gears
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/4605134071.html
It is a pair of F550 front and rear axles with 4.88 gears
-
- New Member
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:41 pm
Re: front axle upgrade for mountain travel
thanks for the tip. The seller already pulled the listing however.
- ok68crewcab
- Preferred User
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:08 pm
- Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
Re: front axle upgrade for mountain travel
Military axles can sometimes be found cheap. May be time to go a little monster truck and upgrade to Rockwell 2 1/2 or 5 ton axles.
2 Blessed 2 Be Stressed
-
- New Member
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:41 pm
Re: front axle upgrade for mountain travel
Thanks for the reply. When I couldn't find one ton axles last winter I became a traitor and bought a 6 x6 Pinzgauer. It is a joy to drive with all the clearance and visibility. The 68 Ford is kept in top running shape as a rescue or replacement vehicle if the Pinzgauer breaks down.