Axle Conversion

[bigjas]

Here's the deal. I need a new rear axle (another story) for my 99.5 250. I have a chance to buy a wrecked 2000 F350 chasis truck w/o engine or transmision for a good price but need to give the guy an answer tonight. The truck is to far away to get measurements at this point. The gear ratio is a desirable change so I would swap out both axles. I am not sure what the front axle is (Dana 50 or 60?) but I understand that only the adapters would have to be removed.

The big question is the rear axle. I think that it would be a dana 80. What does it take to convert to single wheel and will the width work? Does it matter that it is a chasis truck? I have heard that the older chasis trucks used a different width axle.

I have seen something some time back (can't find it now) about this, but it didn't apply back then.

Thanks

 

[bigjas]

Attn DRW owners

Anyone have any info?

I talked to a guy in PA who put a Dana 80 from a cab/chasis truck in a his SRW 350 to convert to DRW. He told me that if the perches are moved it will work, but it is tight for the brake mounting hardware. The (cab/chassis) 80 axle (back of rotor to back of rotor) is about 5 1/2" narrow than then Sterling 10.5. But the wheel mounting surface is about 3" farther outboard from the face of each rotor. I could not pull the wheels last night to look closer as the guy was leaving.

DRW owners- Is there a spacer on the rear rotor (similar to the front)? It did not appear to be removable.

Anyone see an issue if the rotors are more inboard? I would think they may stay cooler, but would they be too vunerable to damage, dirt, etc?

I have to make a decision today to go for the swap or rebuild the 10.5. The swap would be cheaper and allow the future option to covert to DRW (quite easily). But this is a daily driver so I have to get it going soon and I don't have the money (whole reason I am considering this swap) to buy the 80 and discover it is a bad choice long term.