Power Strokes 1994-1997 Upgrades and AftermarketUpgrading or adding OEM or aftermarket equipment to your 1994-1997 Ford F-Series with Power Stroke engine.
My 2 wheel drive IFS has problems. Bearings failed on left front, took out rotor/hub and brake caliper, not sure about spindle yet. Ball joints are also toast. Question is can I do a straight axle conversion without welding? I have no torches or welding expertise and no air compressor, though this may be a chance to "need" one. The truck is in my gravel driveway (I do not have a shop or garage to work in). My first thought was to get a junkyard IFS for the left side only and unbolt/install complete. Got to thinking about a straight axle - anyone have an idea what would fit and what I can do with the shop/torch limitations I have?
I have done engine rebuilds, engine/transmission replacements and of course the simple stuff like brakes, brake lines, bearings etc. that come with 40 years of vehicles.
Has not been a good day.
Dave / Believer45
__________________ THANK YOU to all the heroes in our military and all the heroes at home who wait for their safe return. I am humbled by and grateful for your service and sacrifice.
'95 F250 ext cab long bed, PSD, 5 speed, 2 wheel drive, 3.55 gears, 286,000 miles, Edge Evolution CTS (LINK TO MY REVIEW), LUK clutch, homemade REAR BUMPER, open element AIR FILTER, 36" ARE contractor cap. With tools, full of fuel and me on board (300 lbs) steer 3620, drive 3860 total 7480.
Last edited by Believer45; 03-02-2009 at 06:07 PM.
The only 2wd straight axle i know of, you'll find in an F-450. Those axles are way too large for your application and they are leaf sprung. Your best bet is what you already thought of doing....buy the whole left side works from the junk yard. You can do quite a bit of work with a small 5 inch angle grinder with a "zip-cut" if you don't have access to torches. One other thing...I don't know what years of IFS would have the king Pins, but my "83 F-250 has them and had never been touched in 26 years...they last forever as compared to the ball joint style. has Good Luck !
__________________
1986 F-250 Supercab 2wd 6.9l T-19B 4 speed 200,000 kms (125000 miles) College teacher dropped it off at my house to have for FREE !
1990 F-350 XLT Lariat CC 4x4 SRW 7.3l, E4OD (Now ZF5 with Luk SMF), 3.55, 281000 kms (175000 miles) Paid $1300 01/05
1995 F-250 XL Supercab 4x4 7.3PSD ZF5 (Luk clutch/SMF) 3.55 265000 kms (164000 miles) Paid $6200 10/08
2005 E-150 XL 4.6l V8 60000 kms (37000 miles) Paid $15000 09/07
I know back in the sixties virtually everything truck 4x2 or 4x4 had straight axles on the front. I think when all is said and done you are probably right, though. Sticking with what is there would probably be easier but a straight axle could fix the problems inherent in the IFS front suspension.
I will check with my local top shelf salvage yard in the morning and see what they have.
__________________ THANK YOU to all the heroes in our military and all the heroes at home who wait for their safe return. I am humbled by and grateful for your service and sacrifice.
'95 F250 ext cab long bed, PSD, 5 speed, 2 wheel drive, 3.55 gears, 286,000 miles, Edge Evolution CTS (LINK TO MY REVIEW), LUK clutch, homemade REAR BUMPER, open element AIR FILTER, 36" ARE contractor cap. With tools, full of fuel and me on board (300 lbs) steer 3620, drive 3860 total 7480.
Last edited by Believer45; 03-02-2009 at 06:41 PM.
Without heavily modifying the truck its not worth the time and effort in my opinion. Straight axle from an F-450 is leaf sprung, IFS is coil sprung- you'll have remove radius arm brackets to install spring hangers on the frame. You'll have to find a means of lowering the truck because a 2wd F-450 sits just as high as a 4x4 with a Dana 60, unless you put blocks in the rear to even it out. The hubs from an F-250/350 wont change over to an F-450 axle, you'd have to use the hub and wheels with 10 lugs rather then 8. Plus...the ten lug wheels are dually style and as far as I know, you cant get a 10 lug single wheel style rim.
A straight axle from a 50's,60's style truck...im not too sure if they use coils or leafs, but will they support the weight of a PSD? Can you convert from drum brakes to to discs? I'm sure you could, but what would be the involved cost?
__________________
1986 F-250 Supercab 2wd 6.9l T-19B 4 speed 200,000 kms (125000 miles) College teacher dropped it off at my house to have for FREE !
1990 F-350 XLT Lariat CC 4x4 SRW 7.3l, E4OD (Now ZF5 with Luk SMF), 3.55, 281000 kms (175000 miles) Paid $1300 01/05
1995 F-250 XL Supercab 4x4 7.3PSD ZF5 (Luk clutch/SMF) 3.55 265000 kms (164000 miles) Paid $6200 10/08
2005 E-150 XL 4.6l V8 60000 kms (37000 miles) Paid $15000 09/07
A straight axle from a 50's,60's style truck...im not too sure if they use coils or leafs, but will they support the weight of a PSD? Can you convert from drum brakes to to discs? I'm sure you could, but what would be the involved cost?
I am not thinking to use that old of an axle. My thinking was some of the mid to late 80s F350s used a straight axle on two wheel drive but I am not sure when the changeover was. If there are none with disc brakes there is no way I am going to do all the work to convert nor am I going to give up disc brakes on the front.
Thanks for the information, guess I am off to the boneyard in the morning.
__________________ THANK YOU to all the heroes in our military and all the heroes at home who wait for their safe return. I am humbled by and grateful for your service and sacrifice.
'95 F250 ext cab long bed, PSD, 5 speed, 2 wheel drive, 3.55 gears, 286,000 miles, Edge Evolution CTS (LINK TO MY REVIEW), LUK clutch, homemade REAR BUMPER, open element AIR FILTER, 36" ARE contractor cap. With tools, full of fuel and me on board (300 lbs) steer 3620, drive 3860 total 7480.
All 2wd one tons and down used IFS from the mid 60's all the way through the end of our body style.
Thanks, Squid63. Guess that puts this one to bed.
Appreciate the information from all.
__________________ THANK YOU to all the heroes in our military and all the heroes at home who wait for their safe return. I am humbled by and grateful for your service and sacrifice.
'95 F250 ext cab long bed, PSD, 5 speed, 2 wheel drive, 3.55 gears, 286,000 miles, Edge Evolution CTS (LINK TO MY REVIEW), LUK clutch, homemade REAR BUMPER, open element AIR FILTER, 36" ARE contractor cap. With tools, full of fuel and me on board (300 lbs) steer 3620, drive 3860 total 7480.
Guess I should have said late 60's, cause I've got a '66 with a straight axle.
I've thought about the same thing as you here, and there is just no good option without a lot of modifications involved, and while the TTB has its issues, it's really not as bad as most people make it out to be when it's maintained properly.
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