ttb front end swap to live axle

[snowman71]

this ttb front end SUCKS, has anyone converted over to solid axle? I have a few questions, I'm going to convert this thing over as soon as possible, i know a guy with a dana 60 out of an older truck with the same gears and all he wants is my ttb in trade,(sucker) any info before i start will be appreciated. will the crossmember work?
jd

[mike100]

I think you just need to remove the ttb pivot brackets and it all should fit provided you have the springs and hangers and don't forget the trackbar that comes with it. This is not a good conversion unless you can get all the steering etc. off a donor vehicle. Also... don't forget that f-350's have cv style front driveshafts due to the higher stance and additional driveline angle.

The TTB doesn't suck unless you have one where everything is bad. I redid mine and it drives quite nicely. I mainly would want a D60 for looks and a higher stance as I won't lift a truck. Lifting is really the only bad thing about the f-250 suspension.

I did the math and decided that rebuilt ttb was way easier. got rearched springs (more travel) and late model superduty shocks (softer) for a nice ride up front. The back is still quite truck like though.

mike

with all that said, my next truck will have a D60

[snowman71]

well, i lifted it with a 4" superlift and have had nothing but trouble keeping it in alignment, i replaced the shackle bushings ,pivot bushings in the traction beams, wheel bearings on the right front,the left were good i just packed them,had it aligned and the first time i took it to the desert, the left has a little negative camber, my neighbor has a 95 f-350 i think ill take a look at his, my truck hasn't been abused as far as i know,and everything seems tight, do you think the front springs settled in after the first desert trip with them?
jd

[Godzilla Jr]

If your going to do the work consider using a Reverse Shackle while your at it. The ride with the shackle in front can be rather rought at times.

[mike100]

seems most new springs coil or leaf settle some after a heavy loads works on it for awhile. You are probably just over scrutinizing your front end like I did until i got it perfect. If you back up, the camber goes positive (top of wheel out), and when pulling forward, the ttb will neg. camber some (top in). My wheels sit nearly level on most parking spots and the tire wear is even, so I'm "locking" the adjustments where they are and not doing 'nuthin' to it.

[DrDenny]

JD, There are alot of people that have done this conversion. And I was going to do it myself, but I sold my 97 and got my F350SD. Check at The Diesel Stop, do a search in the 94-97 forum. Like Mike said make shure you get all the steering parts. Or you'll be on a parts hunt. The guys over there will tell you exactly what to do. Several of them have step-by-step photos tied to there sig's. If I still had my 97 I would do it in a heartbeat especially if someone wanted to trade your TTB for a Dana 60.
Good luck,Deins

[snowman71]

well i'm gonna take it to the desert this weekend,and i'm gonna get it realigned when i get back (i bet they wish they wouldn't have given me a 6 month warranty on the alignment).
that dana 60 my buddy has is out of an older truck, it came with disc brakes, he said he went through it about 4-5 years ago, it doesn't have too many miles on it, but i think i'll check it out anyway, and i will do the part hunting before i rip my front end out of my truck, the 60 is already out of his truck and i can get it anytime i want.
I think i'll see how long it stays in alignment before i do anything drastic to the poor thing,(im getting better with the plasma cutter) . It rides alot better now than when i first put the lift on, but every 4by i've ever owned has been a solid axle, maybe i just need to get used to it and give it a chance. i sure dont look forward to doing the swap in the 110 degree weather just around the corner. thanks alot for all the help everyone has given me.

[DrDenny]

well that dana 60 my buddy has is out of an older truck, it came with disc brakes

That is a good thing.

(im getting better with the plasma cutter) .

i sure dont look forward to doing the swap in the 110 degree weather just around the corner. thanks alot for all the help everyone has given me.

Darn all this time I thought we were supposed to wait till it was 100*+ Shows ya what I know...Denis

[snowman71]

what?