Axel swaps SAS

[Atlas75]

I tried searching the site for various key words related to axel swaps and I really couldn’t find anything.  I’m sure the information is on here somewhere and I wasn’t using the correct key words.

My truck has a Dana 50 TTB front axel with leaf springs.  I have read somewhere that the ride with this setup isn’t great.  What solutions/axel swaps are possible to better the ride?

[salans7]

1986-1997 Dana 60 is a direct bolt-in, with exception to the track bar mount which needs the holes drilled in the engine crossmember. Keep in mind though that 86-1991 Dana 60s are Kingpin, while 92-97 D60s are ball joint. Also, 95-97 Dana 60's have bolt on calipers instead of the older style with the slide pins.

Some guys are running Super Duty Dana 60's, but I don't think they're a bolt-in, and require some fabrication. Sky's Offroad offers a ton of parts for these trucks and axle swaps, so give them a look and see what might work best for you.

One other thing to consider is that older F350 4x4's with straight axles used a different transmission crossmember to prevent the driveshaft from hitting the crossmember.

[Atlas75]

Do the 1986 - 1997 Dana 60's still use leaf springs or are they coil springs?  If they still use leaf springs, what makes the ride better over my current axel?  Is it the TTB design that makes the ride rougher?

[Gary Lewis]

Big Blue's '95 F350's D60 rode on leaf springs when new and still does, although the springs are now 2005 SuperDuty U-code springs with a reverse shackle kit from Sky Offroad.  And the ride is DRAMATICALLY better.  I cannot stress that enough.

Why?  Not directly because of the TTB's as there's nothing wrong with TTB's - when sprung with coils.  But with leaf springs the arc of the TTB tries to twist the springs and it just does not work well.

Big Blue had 2" of articulation in the front, from 1" down to 1" up from the normal ride height.  But it now has almost 8" - roughly 4" down and 4" up from sitting still.  Just think how stiff springs have to be if there is only 2" of movement.  Every bump comes right on through.  And off-road performance has to be poor since the wheel can't drop more than an inch.

[salans7]

Atlas75 wrote

Do the 1986 - 1997 Dana 60's still use leaf springs or are they coil springs?  

Coil springs didn't come on straight axle D60s until 2005. All pre-2005 Dana 60s and Dana 50s are Leaf Sprung.