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Built_Ford_Tough · (This post was last modified: 10-22-2011 04:55 AM by Built_Ford_Tough.)

Hey everyone, I have a question thats probably a repeat, I am getting a 2000 Dodge 1500 axle from craigslist from a totaled truck and was wonder it the steering knuckle can be swapped out for the 8 lugs knuckles? Or should I find some lug/wheel adapters?

The reason for the swap question is because I recently bought a 1985 Ford F350 2wd, didn't want to go with leaf springs because the cheapest straight axle for a Ford was $1000 at my local junk yard, plus my parts truck 1985 F150 has the 6" lift with coils and such. I plan on making custom radius arms that bolt to where dodge 4-links would go and hook them together to go into the stock ford radius arm brackets, kinda like traction bars for the rear axle. As for the track bar, I'll either get the dodge bracket if its removable, or get one made to bolt onto the truck somewhere.

I haven't seen the axle yet so I have a question on the springs, Does the lower spring perch unbolt from the axle to allow me to install the Ford perch for use of my F150 lift springs?

Thank you for reading all this and for your help.

swirvin21 · 10-22-2011, 09:07 AM

Nope, can't swap in D60 8 lug knuckles onto a D44. FYI, it is the hub that determines the bolt pattern, not the knuckles. Since it's a unit bearing design you would have to find a 8 lug unit bearing for a D44, which I have never heard of being made. Your best bet would be to get a set of adapters.

Built_Ford_Tough · (This post was last modified: 10-22-2011 02:38 PM by Built_Ford_Tough.)

Okay, Thanks for the advice. Do you know about the lower spring perch being removable from the axle?

swirvin21 · 10-22-2011, 05:27 PM

If I understand you correctly, you're wanting to swap the '00 Dodge D44 into your Ford F350 using Ford F150 parts...correct? If so, consider that the F150 springs aren't designed to handle the extra weight of a F350 truck and may compress too far or even crack or break. Not sure it would be worth your time or money to do all of that fabrication to fit in a 1/2 ton axle using 1/2 parts. I would sell the F150 suspension parts and D44 and use the money to buy a Dana 60 instead. You should be able to find a Ford D60 front from 80-91 for under $1000. Junk yards are always high. Look on craigslist and Pirate, I can find D60 all day long for $1000 a pair, probably get a front for $700-800.

**outalne94z71** · 10-22-2011, 05:49 PM

the dodge d44 is the weakest of all d44's, bad idea to use it for that project

putting radius arms on a ford d60 is not all that hard and would be a better choice and as far as the suspension being 1/2 ton i have seen many 1/2 ton radius arm setups used in fullsize trucks with a 60 swapped in and running 44" tires with no issues crawling out at the badlands

in fact i can so you a video of a fullsize bronco with a stretched eb body on it with a 460 and 1 tons still using the radius arms, it rolled over landed on its wheels and kept on wheeling

i got to look for it but in the mean time here is it jumping
http://www.youtube.com/user/MpCrewcab#p/u/1/t0D0W77dpvI

Built_Ford_Tough · 10-22-2011, 07:06 PM

Unfortinately, I haven't seen any Fords that had a straight axle in them, I've been looking quite some time now. Thats why I started looking into a dodge axle.

sirvin21, You are correct, thats what I was thinking about doing. Being that the trucks both sport the same suspension and drivetrain, and the only know differences, to me, is the cab is a crew instead of a supercab and the frame is a little more stronger, you think the springs could break under normal operations? The most wheeling the truck is likely to see is on my local beach in Nags Head, NC. So its nothing but sand. The only reason I'm pushing to get it done asap is because I have the truck tore down for restoration and would like to do it all one time.

So thats why I'm trying to figure something out with the use of a dodge axle, I was suposed to get one from craigslist today as someone said the truck was totaled and they had a 4x4 trans and T-case. That indicated to me a front axle, but the truck had 2wd suspension, and they didn't tell me that until I got there. So half my day wasted with that..

**outalne94z71** · (This post was last modified: 10-22-2011 07:29 PM by outalne94z71.)

check bigwill, i think he was parting out his sas chevy and that had the better ford d60 front and he lives in nc

http://www.pavementsucks.com/board/threa...these-days

Built_Ford_Tough · 10-22-2011, 07:31 PM

BigWillieStyle_21 ?

**outalne94z71** · 10-22-2011, 07:47 PM

(10-22-2011 07:31 PM)Built_Ford_Tough Wrote: BigWillieStyle_21 ?

yup, his axle would work well to weld in the c-wedges to use the stock radius arms

swirvin21 · 10-22-2011, 10:46 PM

I think Ken is right on the suspension. It will probably work, I didn't know which engine you had or if you had a heavy [censored] bumper of anything that would add extra weight to the front. Don't expect 6" of lift from those coils though, they will likely sag a bit, and make sure to use good shocks to make up for the additional rebound. I've only heard of springs breaking after being bottomed out multiple times, but if they compress more than they are designed they will eventually crack.

It's obvious you're doing a 4x4 conversion, but have you considered getting a divorced transfer case, rigging an additional cross member and putting whatever axle in you want. You can find a pass or driver side drop divorced tcase a hell of a lot cheaper than a 4x4 trans and tcase. You should have enough driveline to clear. You could also put either a Chevy, Dodge or Ford front axle in that way.