Thinking about converting the dd/tow rig to 4wd. It is an 85 F-250 diesel 2wd.

I know that you can bolt up a 4wd TTB setup onto a 2wd half ton. Wondering if it would be as simple as bolting a half ton 4x4 TTB on mine and putting F-250 8 lug D44 TTB outers on the half ton beams.

This way I wouldnt have to deal with the stupid leaf sprung ttb and have to do any major fabrication to run leafs. I'm not wheeling the piss out of this thing so dont tell me to get a 60 I cant afford that. And while i'd like to just convert it to a solid axle, I dont have the tools or time to do that properly. This just seems like the simplest way to get 4wd.

Thinking about converting the dd/tow rig to 4wd. It is an 85 F-250 diesel 2wd.

I know that you can bolt up a 4wd TTB setup onto a 2wd half ton. Wondering if it would be as simple as bolting a half ton 4x4 TTB on mine and putting F-250 8 lug D44 TTB outers on the half ton beams.

This way I wouldnt have to deal with the stupid leaf sprung ttb and have to do any major fabrication to run leafs. I'm not wheeling the piss out of this thing so dont tell me to get a 60 I cant afford that. And while i'd like to just convert it to a solid axle, I dont have the tools or time to do that properly. This just seems like the simplest way to get 4wd.

I wouldnt bother with the ttb..its actually EASIER to do the straight axle (coils)..and I dont think the outters swap..but I could be wrong..ya would have to swap the whole knuckle..and as far as I've been told the ttb and the solid44 have diffrent outers..and a straight 44 (coils) will prolly run ya $50-250 dependin on where ya find it at...

swap a ttb 44 from a bronco that uses the coils.
Then search around and you can make that TTB 44 8 lug.

Thanks for the replies. I'll convert the coil ttb to 8 lug by putting 8 lug stuff from an older leaf 44 ttb on it from the knuckles out. If the 8 lug spindles bolt onto the 5 lug knuckles then that'll make it even easier. Either way it shouldnt be a big deal.

I guess my main question is will the 1/2 ton ttb bolt up to my existing radius arms/ frame mounts/ coil springs?

My main reason for staying ttb is everything seems like it is bolt up. With a solid axle i'd have to play around with steering, coil mounts, shock mounts, radius arms etc.

sounds like you have made up your mind but a friend of mine put a 79 f150 d44 solid axle converted to 8 lug in the front of his coil spring 95 f250. it came out very nice with very little work and almost looks stock.

Thanks for the replies. I'll convert the coil ttb to 8 lug by putting 8 lug stuff from an older leaf 44 ttb on it from the knuckles out. If the 8 lug spindles bolt onto the 5 lug knuckles then that'll make it even easier. Either way it shouldnt be a big deal.

You'll have to use the chevy 8lug swap.. F250 TTB isn't compatible with F150 TTB.

Logan, you're making the new F-250 a 4x4? What the hell, I thought that was a cheap tow rig.

On the F-250 TTB it might be easier to just convert that to radius arm and coils rather than trying to dick around with trying to adapt the F-150 stuff.

What are you gonna run for a transfercase and tranny combo?

Logan, you're making the new F-250 a 4x4? What the hell, I thought that was a cheap tow rig.

On the F-250 TTB it might be easier to just convert that to radius arm and coils rather than trying to dick around with trying to adapt the F-150 stuff.

What are you gonna run for a transfercase and tranny combo?

not really.. the F250 TTB is totally different than the F250 2wd setup..

not really.. the F250 TTB is totally different than the F250 2wd setup..

I think he's trying to con me into going solid axle.

Jeff-
Yeah its been stuck 3 times since i've owned it. I've only got about 5 or 600 into it, why not make it an even grand and have 4x4? I think the ttb will be easiest cause there are tons of ttb trucks in the junkyard and few solid axle coil trucks. I can pick out a good set of beams and easily find 3.55 gears too. I dont want to lift it at all or wheel it- just need 4wd for the snow and when I tow the jeep to the desert. Plus it'll ride fairly well (not that I really care...)

I'd like to run a ZF trans, but I'll probably never find one for cheap so it'll probably be a T-19/Borg Warner outta the junkyard. Any reccomendations?

You'll have to use the chevy 8lug swap.. F250 TTB isn't compatible with F150 TTB.

so you are saying I cant peel the knuckles off the 5 lug ttb and put 8 lug ttb knuckles on it? I realize the dana 50 ttb is probably different, but the older 8 lug dana 44 ttb knuckles should work, right? I figure the 5 and 8 lug beams share the same housing, just different from the knuckles out.

so you are saying I cant peel the knuckles off the 5 lug ttb and put 8 lug ttb knuckles on it? I realize the dana 50 ttb is probably different, but the older 8 lug dana 44 ttb knuckles should work, right? I figure the 5 and 8 lug beams share the same housing, just different from the knuckles out.

The knuckles are actually different in size. The F150s are shorter. Plus, the spindles are different two (F150s have 5 holes, and the F250 have 8 (IRC).

Logan-

I think I got a line on a NP435 and a 205. I'll let you know if I get a hold of it.

Last time I was at the yard here I saw 3 HP Dana 44's completely untouched. It might be a thought for you if the TTB gets too complicated. I mean Chico isn't THAT far from San Dimas in the whole scheme of things.

The knuckles are actually different in size. The F150s are shorter. Plus, the spindles are different two (F150s have 5 holes, and the F250 have 8 (IRC).

So much for that idea i guess. Hows the "chevy 8 lug" swap work? I thought chevy used a 6 bolt spindle on all its stuff.

Logan-

I think I got a line on a NP435 and a 205. I'll let you know if I get a hold of it.

Last time I was at the yard here I saw 3 HP Dana 44's completely untouched. It might be a thought for you if the TTB gets too complicated. I mean Chico isn't THAT far from San Dimas in the whole scheme of things.


A 435/205 would be bitchin, but I thought the 6.9 bellhousing was different than a BB bellhousing? I havent looked into many other tranny options other than the obvious factory ones. I'm trying to make this as painless as possible- i've got my jeep if I want to get all creative and screw stuff up.

The knuckles are actually different in size. The F150s are shorter. Plus, the spindles are different two (F150s have 5 holes, and the F250 have 8 (IRC).


Actually the ttb spindles for a half ton have 6 bolt spindles while the 3/4 ton have 8 bolt spindles. d44 1/2 ton and d44 3/4 ton are the same every thing interchanges other than the long side shaft. Also the ttb arms are longer on a 1/2 ton ttb. I did this swap on my truck a long time ago just so that i had 4wd. use the 1/2 ton beams, 3rd member, shafts and radius arms as they will all bolt in. Then use knuckles out on the 3/4 ton stuff. As long as your using an 8-lug d44 not the HD50!!! This swap will work out. It would have been harder to change everything for a different application at the ford factory so everything is literally bolt in. I even changed out the stock gear for a lift. I have run this setup on my truck for 5+ years now with no problems. Good luck with your swap :grinpimp:

Actually the ttb spindles for a half ton have 6 bolt spindles while the 3/4 ton have 8 bolt spindles. d44 1/2 ton and d44 3/4 ton are the same every thing interchanges other than the long side shaft. Also the ttb arms are longer on a 1/2 ton ttb. I did this swap on my truck a long time ago just so that i had 4wd. use the 1/2 ton beams, 3rd member, shafts and radius arms as they will all bolt in. Then use knuckles out on the 3/4 ton stuff. As long as your using an 8-lug d44 not the HD50!!! This swap will work out. It would have been harder to change everything for a different application at the ford factory so everything is literally bolt in. I even changed out the stock gear for a lift. I have run this setup on my truck for 5+ years now with no problems. Good luck with your swap :grinpimp:

Thats what I like to hear! Thanks for the info- much appreciated.

So do the ford 6 bolt pattern spindles match the GM pattern? That would make life way easy when I put this all together in the junkyard.

Thats what I like to hear! Thanks for the info- much appreciated.

So do the ford 6 bolt pattern spindles match the GM pattern? That would make life way easy when I put this all together in the junkyard.

yes.. here is the link i was thinking about before.. sorry, I had Dana 60 on the brain when i said 5 lugs..

http://www.off-road.com/ford/bigbroncos/tech/8lug/index.html

The 6.9 uses a different bellhousing, I'm thinking it's similar to the Int'l 392 bellhousing, but I leave the corn binders (and the Dodges I might add) to you, Jasper, Todd and Burgler.

I'm going to pick up the Tranny and T-case this weekend, I'll let you know the condition / bellhousing situation when I find out.