Axle swap

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Well, after installing a built big-block into my truck, the stock rear 9" is not going to cut it.  The pinion is loose, every seal leaks, and the axle wrap was scary.  So I got a Dana 70 off a friend and rebuilt it with new bearings and did a disc brake swap.  I am using leaf springs off of a '03 F250 my friend gave me.  It's a little nerve-racking welding, grinding, and using the torch only a few inches from the gas tank and filler neck    Since the new springs are larger than the stock '78 F150 springs, I had to fab mounts.  Out with the old!New ready to go inHere, I cut out a section of 4x4 .250 wall square tube, then cut one side off.  After I drill the hole through it, this is what the front of the spring will sit in and bolt through.  Now, I just gotta make it fit!Other side about done:Once the axle is under the truck and sitting where it needs to be, I'll tack the front spring mounts in place on the bottom side of the pad above...Here's the rear shackle hanger cut off.  I'm going to flip it around to get about 4-5" of liftMiller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:Looks good so far. Keep the pics coming. I need to do a swap pretty soon on an 84 F150 and I'm interested in wathcing yours first. Thanks
Reply:very pro so. far keep going.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Thanks.  I've been out of the shop for the past couple days.  I hope to get back out there in the morning.Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:Hopefully Its just the pictures, but are you grinding the rust away before your welding on it?  It doesn't look like it in the pictures to me.Miller 250x & Lincoln V205-TSmith Oxy-Prop torch
Reply:Originally Posted by ChuckHopefully Its just the pictures, but are you grinding the rust away before your welding on it?  It doesn't look like it in the pictures to me.
Reply:Got the rear holes drilled in the frame and in the brackets so I could flip them around. Attached ImagesMiller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:Have you not just lowered the truck by 4-5inches?? I'm  confused now.JF
Reply:Originally Posted by feen I'm  confused now.JF
Reply:I think it has to do with the springs that he's useing compared to the old springs. must stronger, much larger. need to move the perch to account for this. Otherwise you'd be high a$$ing it down the road.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI think it has to do with the springs that he's useing compared to the old springs. must stronger, much larger. need to move the perch to account for this. Otherwise you'd be high a$$ing it down the road.
Reply:hope your pinon angle isn't off....
Reply:Than he moved the mounting point for the spring lower. not higher. thus lifting the truck. Think of it this way. He swapped the point where the spring attached to the shackle with where the shackle mounted to the bracket. If the bracket mount was below the spring mount originally, than the the truck will be higher after the flip. if the bracket side was higher than the spring mount originally, than the truck will be lower after the flip.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Before the shackle hung below the spring. Now it is above the spring.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Hammer has it right.  Before, the shackle and the hanger were below the spring.  Now that I've flipped it, I'll get about 4" of lift off the bat.  If I want more lift, all I have to do is make/buy a longer shackle.  Pinion angle can be corrected by shims if necessary.  I will already need to have a driveshaft made due to the lift, larger differential, and larger yokes.Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:Here's a picture I found of a Chevy setup.  This is what mine looked like before, though the bracket on mine was smaller/shorter.Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:OK, that didn't work, and I can't edit it now.  So here's a better picture.  Before:After:Notice?Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:Well, I rolled the axle under it today.  I spend the better part of the afternoon chasing down a 5/8" drill bit.  No one had one...not even Lowes or HD.  I stopped at True Value, and they had one, but it was a cheap, no-name brand they wanted $28 for.  A friend of mine had one, so I went over there and borrowed it.  Tomorrow looks like it will be all welding.  Tight, cramped, overhead welding BUT, it should be ready to roll out of the garage by then!  After that, I need to make the rear brake lines and see how it does.  With rear discs on it now, I need to change my master cylinder and booster over to something that originally came with disc/disc instead of disc/drum.  Calipers need a lot more fluid pushed to them to work properly. Attached ImagesLast edited by 700R; 10-05-2012 at 01:41 AM.Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:Well, she's just about done.  The lower mounts are just tacked on for now.  I'll need to remove the spring to finish it up...don't want to take a chance of frying the bushing.  I need to finish welding, bend some brake lines, and have a rear driveshaft made....Now, I am not going to show you my welds    I was on my knees,  I had my head crammed in the fenderwell, right arm holding the gun at arms length, left arm holding a flashlight on the work.  The sensors on my helmet were partially blocked, so I was getting flashed.  I could only see about 40% of the area needed to be welded.  The other 60% was hiding...I couldn't get to the front of the spring mount because of the bed.  So I welded what I could and the rest will have to wait until the bed comes off later this Fall.  I'll probably grind off some of the welds and redo them just for looks.  What's there is plenty strong enough though.... Attached ImagesMiller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:I got a question..Is the gear ratio front/rear the SAME?...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI got a question..Is the gear ratio front/rear the SAME?...zap!
Reply:No 60 in the front yet? Damn I need another 73-79 to play with.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingNo 60 in the front yet? Damn I need another 73-79 to play with.
Reply:Great project, and the kingpin 60 up front will be sweet! You're going to have to throw a diesel engine in there... 7.3 stroke or 12 valve 6bt.Are you converting it to DRW or leaving it single?Miller Dynasty 300 DXMiller CST280Miller Maxstar 150 STH
Reply:Originally Posted by SilveradoGreat project, and the kingpin 60 up front will be sweet! You're going to have to throw a diesel engine in there... 7.3 stroke or 12 valve 6bt.Are you converting it to DRW or leaving it single?You guys cant get an old IDI running, The newer 86-97 axles are not a direct swap for the old 73-79, you will have to modify the frame, or do extensive axle mods. Are you going to run coils or go leafs? No such thing as a "king pin" front drive axle, they use trunion bearings. Just giving you $hit on the IDI, I can make one of those run on farts and a beer.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingYou guys cant get an old IDI running, The newer 86-97 axles are not a direct swap for the old 73-79, you will have to modify the frame, or do extensive axle mods. Are you going to run coils or go leafs? No such thing as a "king pin" front drive axle, they use trunion bearings. Just giving you $hit on the IDI, I can make one of those run on farts and a beer.
Reply:Try a known good pump, sounds like a fuel issue.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I don't know if deisel deteriorates like gas does, but that could be an issue now as well.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingTry a known good pump, sounds like a fuel issue.
Reply:Do you have fuel at the injectors(crack the lines) when you crank the truck over, did you have the injectors pop tested?Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Yes, we had fuel at the injectors, but no, I never had them tested.  They were new remaned units that Uhaul was selling off.  It's been about a year since I've touched the truck, or even seen it. The starter let out its magic smoke the last couple times we worked on it from cranking it so much.  So that needs rebuilt before I go any further into the motor.   If I do anything with it, it's getting a 460 put in.  I'm done with the IDI...short of hiring someone, or taking it to a shop...I've done all I can do.  I've been to the diesel sites, Ford truck sites, read through a Haynes/Chilton manual, and have done everything suggested.  I was tired of throwing money at it, so I traded the engine/trans/t-case for $100 and the rear axle aboveMiller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:If the injectors were not tested and just sitting on a shelf they are probably full of rust and crap.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."