Ok, I've been into 4x4ing for awhile, but I finally got a job that pays enough for me to afford some bigger things. I have a 90' Ford F250. I'm thinking of lifting it, but it has independent front suspension. I don't know if it would still do ok if I lifted it with this setup or if I should invest in a solid front axle.. I'm thinking of putting on a 4" Lift kit..

And other than the liftkit and tires, whatelse should I invest into to make this thing a better 4x4?? It's only gonna be for mud and maybe some small hills...It has a 5.0L 302 in it now..

Oh, and what's a good brand of manual hubs???

Thanks,
Wolf :evil:

Find a front dana 60 and get some good steering. After that put some money into lockers.

With the solid front axle, would my truck high center easily?? and would
http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/default_rearend.aspx
Be a good place to get the dana axle?? And What is the 8", 8.8", and 9" numbering mean?

And what do I do to get better steering??

Thanks,
Wolf:evil:

the 8", 8.8", and 9" are different sized axles. a solid axle wouldn't effect you from getting high centered really, that depends more on your wheelbase.
Are you askin about differential clearance?

when you go to a solid axle you will be able to set up better steering. or superlift makes a better steering setup for the ttb.

what model you have?long/short bed? standard/supercab? my 89 f250 is to long to do anything so iam movin the rear axle foward 2 feet

the 8", 8.8", and 9" are different sized axles.

those are ring gear sizes , not axle sizes

the 8", 8.8", and 9" are different sized axles. a solid axle wouldn't effect you from getting high centered really, that depends more on your wheelbase.
Are you askin about differential clearance?
As in height? Yes...

what model you have?long/short bed? standard/supercab? my 89 f250 is to long to do anything so iam movin the rear axle foward 2 feet
I have a Standard cab longbed. with a 5.0L 302.. Would it be beneficial to go to a 460 or 351?

Thanks,
Wolf:evil:

those are ring gear sizes , not axle sizes
i know but it was easier to describe it to someone who doesnt know that way

As in height? Yes...


I have a Standard cab longbed. with a 5.0L 302.. Would it be beneficial to go to a 460 or 351?

the differential height will be from the round to the bottom of your pumkin on your axle, to get your breakover point(i think thats the riht thing) you will need to know your wheelbase and measurment from the ground to the lowest thing on your frame, most likely your tcase on an f150.

for muddin and small hills you should be ok with bigger tires and a suspension lift, about the 302 you would have to talk to some people on here who run them for mudding. you might be able to get away with just regearing when you run bigger tires.

also about your hubs question, yours has the dana50 ttb right? if so the stock ones are pretty good, or warn makes some along with superwinch i think

also about your hubs question, yours has the dana50 ttb right? if so the stock ones are pretty good, or warn makes some along with superwinch i think

Whats the dana50 ttb???
I dont know what the original ones were. They were silverish chrome with red knob. But I had superwinch hubs put on for temp use because the orig. ones weren't working...

Thanks,
Wolf:evil:

Whats the dana50 ttb???

That's the front axle in your F-250 (it also could be a Dana44--- Look to see if there is a big "44" or "50" on the bottom of the pig).

TTB = Twin Traction Beam.

At 4" lift, you'll probably be OK keeping the stock axle if it's infact the D50. A D44 is a bit weaker though. With big tires, you're more likely to run into some breakage on it. I'd look into swapping a D60 under it if you're going bigger than 35" or so on the tires.

The fact the F-250 uses leafsprings on a TTB doesn't bode well for flex however (TTB arm swings in an arc, the leaf wants to go straight up/down = bind).

That's the front axle in your F-250 (it also could be a Dana44--- Look to see if there is a big "44" or "50" on the bottom of the pig).
Under the center part of the axle, or somewhere else on the undercarriage of the truck???

Thanks,
Wolf:evil:

That's the front axle in your F-250 (it also could be a Dana44--- Look to see if there is a big "44" or "50" on the bottom of the pig).

some of them arent marked, i know mine isn't:shaking:

might be easier to just measure the hubs, the dana50 has locking hubs that are 4.5"s across and the 44 has smaller ones

Ok, Cool. If I was to stay with my currentaxle, which is probably a d44, would 33's do good in the mud and climbing???

Oh, and I have a tilt wheel, is thee anyway I can lock this in? Because everytime i put a few lbs of pressure on it up/down, it moves that direction...

Thanks,

Wolf:evil:

Ok, Cool. If I was to stay with my currentaxle, which is probably a d44, would 33's do good in the mud and climbing???


Yeah, should be OK.

My advice to you, before you do a single thing to your truck, is to research. Go to various off road events. That should be easy where you're at. Read as much as you can on here and in magazines. Ask questions to guys with well built rigs and PM people on hear. Most of these guys love to talk trucks. Just be respectful. Nobody likes an ignorant person who acts like they know something, but one who is humble can get alot of help
Heck, even shows like Trucks and Xtreme 4x4 can be helpful on occasion to those who are unfamiliar with the jargon and specific types of components.

Try to build it right the first time...don't ask me how I know.

Lockers and keep the motor cool.. God luck and don't worry about the know it all's...:rasta:

Cool, thanks all.

Thanks,
Wolf:evil: