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'05 Solid Axle Swap

G

Golddigger

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Location
Northern Utah
Well I did not want to Hi-jack BigBlueChevy 's thread, his swap is cool. But I do want to do this swap on my '05 Crew cab 3500. My front end needs about $700 just in parts, not to mention it has started to grind every now and then when I put in 4x4(front end not t-case). It was mentioned to put in coils, but unless I can find a donor truck for cheap I will probably stick to springs. I have found a few '75-79 Fords for cheap. So I think I will start looking more into spring mounts and steering. I want a solid axle but not a huge lift. Is it possible to only gain about 2 inches or so by using flatter springs?
 
Golddigger said:
Well I did not want to Hi-jack BigBlueChevy 's thread, his swap is cool. But I do want to do this swap on my '05 Crew cab 3500. My front end needs about $700 just in parts, not to mention it has started to grind every now and then when I put in 4x4(front end not t-case). It was mentioned to put in coils, but unless I can find a donor truck for cheap I will probably stick to springs. I have found a few '75-79 Fords for cheap. So I think I will start looking more into spring mounts and steering. I want a solid axle but not a huge lift. Is it possible to only gain about 2 inches or so by using flatter springs?
Click to expand...

I do not know for sure how small of a lift you can safely run. I know clearance with the massive oil pan we have becomes an issue. I've wanted to know this as well. Hopefully we can pin down a definitive answer. IIRC the ORU kit using stock 73-87 GM front springs provided 2"-3" of lift.
 
I think you will end up with about 4in without bigger tires. I think the issue on the d max trucks is diff hitting the oil pan.
 
Hi Golddigger,

Something to consider. If your a member over at the place there are two guys with SFA trucks(that I know of). Here are the links to there albums:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garage.php?do=view&g=13059
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garage.php?do=view&g=12845
And of course there is Joey's who posted above me. But I don't have the link too his.

Mud Sluts' truck just looks born to have an SFA and both of them did an outstanding job on there's. I can only hope that after EVERYTHING is still finished I can get mine to look as good as there's. There's still a lot of bugs to work out on my end.

As far as how "little" lift you can run that depends on you. Biggest issue I run into right now is the top of the differential hitting the bottom of the frame crossover under the engine.(I need bump-stops big time) If that was to be removed, and sat more flat there would be easily over a foot of room under there VS the mere 3 or 4" I have between the top of the diff and the bottom of that stupid crossover. Though this may only be the case with the way the frame is designed on a 2wd truck.

If you really get into it and the oil pan becomes a big issue you can always try what Fermanator did and have the problem part cut out and TIG welded based on your needs.
 
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Thanks for the answers guys. I have been out of town and will now be looking more seriously into it since my truck likes to wander.
 
Gold digger how good are you with a wrench and creativity?

What are your uses and plans fo the solid axle once completed? (IE: rockcrawling, offroading, minimal offroading, more for show, heavy offroading?)

Check out Mr. N's page here. It is THE source to go with any questions reguarding the Dana Axles. Be-it 44, or 60. He also covers full rebuilds of both units.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/index.htm
 
I am good at fabbing and wrenching. But I have decided to sell it and get another truck. This one already set an owner record for me... 3 1/2 years.
 
Golddigger said:
Dealer offered me $17.5 for a trade, but I think I'll hold out to sell it outright.
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My dad used to always buy himself a new truck once the lease was up(which is why I DONT follow in those footsteps for that case). I say if the trucks paid off just keep it, set yourself a budget, and do as you please with it. New truck or new parts on a truck thats paid off?
 
If I don't get a buyer I'll just build on to it like you mention. Otherwise it will be a new project. But I do have to sell my service truck first.
 
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