front axle upgrade for mountain travel

[hawleymountain]

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.

68fordf250roads.jpg

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.

This is one of the trips we provide to guests of our guest ranch. See www.hawleymountain.com
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68fordf250tops.jpg

68fordf250roads.jpg

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Ron Jarrett

[ptodave390]

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.

[CrypticRacer13]

One ton time my friend

[1972hiboy]

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.

[tnab1970]

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

[hawleymountain]

thanks for the tip. The seller already pulled the listing however.

[ok68crewcab]

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.

[hawleymountain]

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.