The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Dana axle swap

Has anyone looked into doing an axle swap with a Dana s110 or an s135. these axle are found in new ford f550. our little bucket trucks at work are f550 I'm gonna measure one of them today see if axle are about the same width as my c50. but didn't know anyone else had looked into these axle

Does the F550 have a smallish 10 lug bolt pattern that is only used on the F550? Are you OK using those wheels or do you need larger ones? Are larger ones available?

Rear axles are real easy to swap in this size truck and most any axle you look at and think might fit will fit quite easily.
So find an axle from any application that has the type brakes you want, axle gear ratio, and wheel mounting/bolt pattern to suit. Don't swap an axle in because it's an easy swap but then has undesirable features.

Here are some pictures of an axle swap I did on an F350 a few years ago. Used a Meritor 12 or 15,000 lb axle from an 05 Freightliner medium duty of some description. It was a new take out with suspension and all, just drilled holes in the frame to bolt it in.
It had the large disc brakes I wanted, came with a used pumpkin with 3.73 gears which I wanted, and modern 8 lug hub centered hubs with easy to find 22.5" wheels (matched the front axle I swapped).
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WTayjrbZBVsYOtZbQEyGq9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/118082...esel6V53T?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Just remembered the rear axle swap on this 53 GMC.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gCWUNAP-wYqCDzS21S9a6dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/118082...dranger02?authuser=0&feat=directlink

It's a Dana 80 probably from an Oshkosh step van or something along those lines. It bolted up to existing springs, the pads on the axle were already the proper spacing. Came with 3.73 as well I think, and 6 lug Budd stud centered hubs which are also easy to get 22.5" wheels for.

that's basically what I'm after is a higher gearing so I can get little more speed and be able to get a more standard wheel. so I don't have to go on a wild chase trying to find wheels. and to also have disc brake. but only thing I'm having little trouble doing is finding the same axle width that I have now. so the truck still looks more original

also what kind of highway speed are you getting out of you 48 Chevy. I'm looking at a lot similar setup on my 65. I would like to get a normal highway speed 65 70. without feeling like the truck gonna fly apart

The 48 is not yet on the road, well it is licensed and I've driven it around but nothing more on it yet than a cab with doors.
It also only has 4.56 gears at the moment though I have a set of 3.54 to swap in. It should be comfortable at 80 in Overdrive if I wanted to try it, or 65-70 in direct.
Calculate RPM and speeds given tire size and axle ratio here
http://www.onlineconversion.com/bigger_tires.htm

Just because the calculator says you can doesn't make it so; you may not have enough engine to pull the truck along and push the wind out of the way at high speeds.

Grigg

I'm doing a Dana 80 swap from a '00 Chevy HD3500.
I'm NOT a master mechanic and am trying to do it and it's going OK so far (other things are getting in the way)
Also trying to get the front solid axle under my '64 2-ton stake truck.
BUT, the tag is showing a 5.13 gear!! I wanted to install a Allison 545 but that doesn't have an overdrive.

Anywho, it's in my 'dustlessblasting' business build (to use as a rolling testament of what the blaster can do.

PM me your number and I'll try and answer questions if i can.

Errol

D-80's can have up to 3.54 gears,carrier swap, reqd.
The solid front axle from the HD 3500 can fit, check spring pad dimensions- spacers can be made to correct for smalll discrepancies- see Grigg. Probably can use the Saginaw steer box and pump from the 3500, might have to remove skip spline from arm, change steering from side to side to fore and aft-just remount the box. While you're there , get the Hydroboost.

I like the thought of Dana 80 for parts availability. but I want a big looking axle to make still look somewhat stock.And I want one with a 3rd member axle. the front I'm gonna keep my eye out for a 3500hd.

The 3500HD axle has a Y type draglink and tierod, in my opinion not as easily adapted to these old trucks. The 5/10 lug I-beam axle from a P30 chassis has draglink and tierod like the old truck, easier to adapt, and in all other aspects is like the 3500HD axle.

The Dana 80 and P30 or 3500HD axle combo are good for a vehicle GVW of about 14,000 lb judging by the rating of the vehicles they came stock in.

A Dana 80 can be had with 3.31 axle ratio, or gears can be bought for it. The carrier split is 4.10 and lower numbers use one carrier, all higher numbers use a different carrier. The split on a Dana 70HD is 4.56.

I did a little searching on the 'net' and it looks like quite more of a challenge to set up a Dana 80.
I really don't mind the 5.13 since I'm going with a tire that's almost 46" tall (445/50 R22.5) Super Single.
In my application I don't expect to be running over 60mph, and i can wait for another gear and carrier.

Are You using your "stock" steering box? Is it non-power or power?

I got a power box from a GMC school bus to run my Hydro-boost, but MAN.. That hole for the pitman arm looks B I G compared to my little hd3500 center-link tie rod end.

Is it possible to post pics? I'm going to try and compare to see if just MAYBE the spindles can swap on the orig axle beam.
I'd like to see what you've got since I've got a '64 C50.

Errol

Here's a lot of info on this sort of swap, with pictures.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=725027#Post725027

This is my truck. I did use the 3500HD steering linkage and an IH Scoutt II steering box, perhaps should have used a larger box though it works just fine. Most likely will not use the 3500HD steering linkage if I do it again.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118082...ictures02?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Another swap using largeer Spicer front axle components on an original 2 ton axle beam.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118082...dranger02?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Never mind, I was about to post again some of the links I've already posted in my previous replies above like the F350 with Meritor rear axle...
The links and pictures are there if you want to look at them.

I'd kill for a lathe and 5-jaw chuck like that in your pics.. (well, almost)
That and a CNC overhead mill too!

side note, Grigg where did you get your 4-53t from?

Where did you get your Dana from?

E

I found one 4-53T in a 1978 GMC 6500, bought the truck on ebay and drove it home, then pulled the engine and parted and scrapped the rest. Another 4-53T came basically new as military surplus though I was a few owners after originally surplussed, picked it up in Texas. And another came from a skidder.

The Dana 70HD in my 2 ton came from burnt RV with a GM P30 chassis.

Grigg