[Believer45]

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

 

[ScottFraser2]

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 !

 

[Believer45]

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.

 

[dirttracker83]

Why would you say the 450 straight axle is out of the question

 

[ScottFraser2]

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?

 

[Believer45]

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.

 

[Squid63]

All 2wd one tons and down used IFS from the mid 60's all the way through the end of our body style.

 

[Believer45]

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.

 

[Squid63]

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.