So if i got this right, Im hunting for a 99-up f-250(4x4 for both axles) with disc brakes. Do the sterling axles have a D.O.M # like dana or do I have to go by VIN#(to identify). I can always change the bolt pattern or change rims. I need bead locks anyway. but this will be the 9.75? If i go older though I can get the 10.5. If I go older i will have to convert to disc? How much strongre is the 10.5 over the 9.75 anyway? Is it worth converting? Thanks Rod
The 9.75 is an F-150 axle from 97 on up, for trucks with the 5.4L engine. Mine seems strong enough, knocking on wood I haven't broken it yet (I just tow with it though) The 97-03's have a metric 5 lug boltpattern, and the 04+ have a metric 6 lug boltpattern (and not the common one) I think disc brakes came out in '99.
When looking for F-250 axles watch out for the freaky F-250's dressed like an F-150 with 7 lug wheels, the rim choices for them are less than spectacular.
Any axle under a ranger is broke not by being bent (overweight), it is broke by breaking axles, gears, r&p, or carrier pin failures (torque ie-too much power, too much tire/traction)
SVT
You mean something in the axle has to break for an axle to be broken?
I think you would have to be trying awfull hard to break a 3/4 or 1 ton axle in a Ranger, they don't have the weight that the donar truck had to get the traction... and they for sure have nowhere near the power or torque. I think a shock load (a spinning tire suddenly getting a lot of traction under power) is your only hope of breaking one.