Axle Swap

Tobin

Tobin

5.7 IDI Powaa!
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Oct 19, 2008
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Sick of the garbage the factory puts under these trucks. Now I have death wobble. Anyone swap 05-up Ford Super Duty axles under these trucks? Thinking about cutting all the Dodge junk off and building my own suspension. Everything is so flimsy and undersized for a 3/4 ton truck.
 
What's wrong with the factory axle? Besides the fact that its kind of high maintenance due to everything turning all the time.

220k on mine seals leak a bit and I've had to replace axleshaft u joints control arms ball joints and steering, which is understandable since its been ran on washboard gravel roads all its life. Updated steering helps, and there are quality ball joints if you spend a little more. I haven't had any major problems with it.

Swapping a super duty axle sounds like more trouble than its worth unless you really want leaf springs. The stock axle turns really well compared to a duramax, haven't driven a super duty before.
 
RollCoal9000 said:
What's wrong with the factory axle? Besides the fact that its kind of high maintenance due to everything turning all the time.

220k on mine seals leak a bit and I've had to replace axleshaft u joints control arms ball joints and steering, which is understandable since its been ran on washboard gravel roads all its life. Updated steering helps, and there are quality ball joints if you spend a little more. I haven't had any major problems with it.

Swapping a super duty axle sounds like more trouble than its worth unless you really want leaf springs. The stock axle turns really well compared to a duramax, haven't driven a super duty before.
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05+ fords are coil spring radius arms. They drive a million times better than 4 link dodges.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
I would have hard time saying the newer ford front ends are superior. Ive had 3 super dutys with death wobble
 
Death wobble can be a bunch of things from parts to caster settingfrok what I've read. I would never want to swap in something that involved when they are known to have that issue even more common than dodges. I'd rather just put in some good aftermarket long arms from Thuren or Carli.
 
It ain’t gonna ride any better than your stock axle would with longer arms and better coils.
 
Exactly. No need to reinvent the wheel rather than work with what you have and improve it.
 
My checklist is unlikely because you are in Florida but I keep stumbling on 3rd gen owners with rotted/compromised frames and I’m not really a mechanic. I’m just surrounded by farmers.

On a side note one of the examples I ran into has a gooseneck hooked up and the farmer never unhooks it and won’t until something fails. (Silver/reg/4x4/Auto) For anyone who knows him too.
 
Marq92 said:
Death wobble can be a bunch of things from parts to caster settingfrok what I've read. I would never want to swap in something that involved when they are known to have that issue even more common than dodges. I'd rather just put in some good aftermarket long arms from Thuren or Carli.
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X2, get some Thuren parts (soft coils, shocks, track bar, control arms), then get an alignment. You'll be happy with it, have less time and money into it, and have a lot of support.
 
Don't forget ball joints. Thuren sells EMF ones which can be rebuilt yourself, unlike the Carli joints which have to be sent out to see if they will honor the lifetime guarantee.
 
Hell you could get some bushings and rod ends and steel and build radius arms for the stock axle for less work.

I have extended control arms, 2" rough country coils, and carli shocks. It doesnt ride great empty (factory shocks and 3" blocks out back dont help). But load it down with some weight it rides good. I imagine the thuren control arms with rod ends would improve the ride quality greatly.

I dont have death wobble atm (not sure how) with the steering gear wore out and stock track bar. Doesn't steer great but it hasn't quit completely so not replacing it yet.
 
I really like the 05+ fords. I've pondered the same swap for my 2nd gen, gain lockout hubs, 4.10s and bigger brakes. Im too lazy and the bolt pattern is wrong.
 
Are they bigger than 3rd gen brakes? They sell lockout hub conversion kits.
 
56cummins said:
I really like the 05+ fords. I've pondered the same swap for my 2nd gen, gain lockout hubs, 4.10s and bigger brakes. Im too lazy and the bolt pattern is wrong.
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I looked for a section just for this. Send me a link if you find any good data on it though. Can’t hurt to read up. Not to mention Wilwood makes a 6 piston brake kit for these axles and OX makes cable lockers for these axles.

But like you said the bolt pattern is wrong. I like having the same bolt pattern as my trailer. I also went to 225/75-16s too. Helps the crappy steering. Give it a decade and I may change my mind on sticking with these axles as I continue to simplify the electrical system.
 
Put a good track bar and control arms on first. Then go from there.

Currently my front end consists of:
-Carli Ball joints
-Thuren Sway Bar (nothing to do with death wobble)
-Thuren Trac Bar
-Thuren Control arms
-08.5 steering
-Thuren softride coils
-Thuren 2.0 IFP king shocks.

Living in Louisiana, I know terrible road quality, and I haven't had any issues in 25k miles.
 
Already have a Thuren track bar, Bilstein shocks, Fox steering dampner, etc. I've read through Thurens info multiple times on death wobble.

If you compare a 05+up Ford Dana 60 to the AAM front axle, there is no comparison. Adjustable camber, locking hubs, Better unit bearings, 35 spline axles, bigger brakes, Massive steering components compared to the Dodge junk, way better ball joints, list goes on.

I built a 4 link with a 05+ up Ford axle on my 77 and it is SOLID. With 40" tires, the Ford brakes stop better than the Dodge junk.
 
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Tobin said:
Already have a Thuren track bar, Bilstein shocks, Fox steering dampner, etc. I've read through Thurens info multiple times on death wobble.

If you compare a 05+up Ford Dana 60 to the AAM front axle, there is no comparison. Adjustable camber, locking hubs, Better unit bearings, 35 spline axles, bigger brakes, Massive steering components compared to the Dodge junk, way better ball joints, list goes on.

I built a 4 link with a 05+ up Ford axle on my 77 and it is SOLID. With 40" tires, the Ford brakes stop better than the Dodge junk.
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I agree, the Ford stuff is built HEAVY. Dodge should take notes. Everything is literally double in size compared to my second gen. From brakes to bearings, joints, etc.and you can find them dirt cheap because there's so many 6.0s and 6.4s being parted out.
 
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