79 f250 axles

[AzLizard]

I have a 94 Explorer I've been plagued with steering and Brake issues here lately I have a chance at some 79 F250 3/4 ton axles for a reasonable price.
I also have a corporate 14-bolt available to me which I would rather use than the 60 has anybody done these swaps in an Explorer what should I be looking at any advice please.
This is not for heavier towing capacity just extra axle strength for off-roading.

 

[Shran]

The real question is... the front axle from the '79, is it a D60 or just an 8 lug Dana 44? The latter is FAR more common. It's almost not worth even using if it's a Dana 44. In that case you'd be better off putting 5 lug knuckles out on it and using a 9" rear... keep it light.

Nothing wrong with a 60 rear from that era, some earlier ones were junk. 14 bolt is a lot of awesome but they are heavy and you lose a ton of ground clearance.

It is at the point now where Super Duty axles are the way to go, lots cheaper, far easier to find parts for, probably stronger and the aftermarket support is coming around too. No reason to pay much money for old stuff when newer parts are cheap and plentiful and arguably better.

 

[AzLizard]

I'd love to have the super duty shit.
But around here that Stuff isn't cheap.

 

[Shran]

Seriously?

I've been seeing pairs of SD axles selling for $5-600 locally. There are just so many of those trucks around - but I guess down your way a lot more of them are probably 2wd.

Going rate for 78-79 front D60's seems to be around a grand, ball joint D60's from 87-97 are about $7-800. No thank you.

Only disadvantages to SD axles are the lack of length on the driver's side front axle tube and the fact that there are a lot of D50 fronts out there.