hi all
so ive been all over the net and get get a specific accurate answer to the following.

i have a 78 or could be a 79 4x4 crewcab
BUT the axles are both missing
im not too bothered if i get a d44 or d60
il never go hardcore wheeling so i would like to keep the weight down for towing.

what year truck front axles will directly or easily fit?
i have been offered a 76 donor f250 4x4 with 4,10,s and disc brakes locally for a good price it doesnt have power steering.
or do i really need to seek out a 78/79 ? donor

i have the power steering box and pitman on my 78/9 and i have the leaf springs and thats it!

 

welcome to FTZ.
the 76 axle will not work. 76 used the narrow frame, the 78-79 trucks used the wider frame unless it was a dual rear wheel cab chassis truck

 

thanks. unless which? is a chassis cab the donor or mine?
so your saying the 76 has narrower front perches than a 78/9?

if this helps anybody explain what donor truck or axles i should be looking for

my front center to center leaf spring perch is approx 31.5
rear 44.5

and i am not sure if my truck was a dually or not and heres why.
the rear fleetside style factory bed has small
factory looking dually flares
and the inside edge of the wheel wells has small
but factory? looking extentions kind of like mini tubbed

 

Basically you need a 78 to 79 F250 front and rear axles: 8-lug, D44 front & D60 rear.
You will also need U-bolts and any other hardware like brake lines etc...
Now would be the time (depending on budget of course) to upgrade the rear to disk brakes.

If you want to add beef you could convert to the common Super duty axles, not a bolt in, but not hard ether & less $$$.

 

33 1/2" width between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1973/76 F250 4WD; 1977 F250 4WD before serial number Y20,001. These trucks are called "High Boys."

37 1/2" width between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1977 F250 4WD from serial number Y20,001 (not a High Boy); 1978/79 F250 4WD

F250's were not available with DRW (Dual Rear Wheels), F350's only.

And, 4WD's do not have perches (aka towers/stands) as there no engine cross member to bolt them to.

4WD engine supports bolt to the inner frame rails.

 

im talking about spring perches on the axle casing that sits on top of the leaf spring.

my main concern is width of FRONT frame rails and any differences
are they different? post/pre 78?

 

hi thanks for the advice i would be happy to fit whatever axles work and are an upgrade with brakes the main reason for seeking a dentside donor was a direct replacement plus other parts i can use/need from the donor

actually my truck is badged f350 but has the bed as described above. its also a crew cab if that matters? steering??

is there a write up anywhere regarding using ANY later axles?
1999 year + metric pcd doesnt put me off that much but wheels sticking out etc does
i dont mind some work and im happy to cut weld grind fabricate etc but only if its really worth it
and saves some money
i dont want anything extra to slow down the build if i can help it and these things
"dominoe" pretty quickly

 

basicly what are the reasons why a front 44 from a 76 f250 wont fit/work on a 78 f2/350??
i have read all the bragging rights regards using a d60 im just concerned about what will fit
and work well good brakes or easy brake uogrades etc and that the steering components will connect.
i have not been able to locate a 78/9 localky for a good price as a donor or i would
BUT i have been offered a 76 with front disc 4x4 axle.

 

"dominoe" project creep... yes, I know it well.
The easiest set of axles are the 78/9 F250.
The cheapest overall are the D44 front and Rear D60; because they are basically a bolt in once you have all the parts.
Your steering will bolt to the front axle with the right parts.
The best donor is a 78 or 79 F250.

 

thankyou i agree but do you know WHY a 76 d44 wont fit just the same?

 

because a 76 has a roughly 33 inch wide frame in the front. that means the front axle has 33 inch wide spring perches.
the 78-79 has a roughly 37 inch wide frame, and 37 inch wide spring perches.
you do not have a cab chassis, so you do not need to worry about that comment.

 

The front frame rails are the same 1965/79 F100/350.

Crew Cabs are 1973/79 F250/350, all were assembled at the Oakville Ontario Canada Truck Assembly Plant.

 

I wanted to actually check.
The internet says that the spring center-lines on all of the F250 4x4's was the same at 31.50".
I just had a few seconds and so I went out and measured the 78/9 D44 that I have AND my 1975 F250 which also measured the same 31.50" CL <> CL

>>>Disclaimer: I've never put a 76 in a 78/9: Decades ago I put 78/9 in earlier trucks but that was to get rid of the Closed Knuckle and get real brakes<<<

Would not be at all surprised that the steering arm on the knuckle could need to be changed and you will want to verify the Axle tube diameter just to be sure to get the right U-Bolts...

 

yes my cc f350 4x4 does have canadian markings

 

now im
confused so whos right here??

either way my front perches are around 32 centers and i am in need of an 8 lug front axle drivers side diff in the 4.10 to 3.54 range with disc brakes. and i am near lake tahoe.

then i can buy any 73-79 truck for the other parts i need.