Rich's F-150

richfroh said The pinion and carrier bearings are shot in my rear diff again. My options are: 1-rebuild this axle with a locker and all new bearings (maybe new gears if needed), 2- Install a 2008 or later F250 Super Duty axle with factory e-locker.

Any thoughts?  

Start with an angry phone call or visit to the dealer that did the work last time.  There is no good reason that a rear pinion should be going out under 200k miles and zero reason to go out twice.  My thinking is there is an issue with the housing and it should be swapped.  If anything this might mean its time to make your move on that 75 you were dreaming of.

kris_olof said

Start with an angry phone call or visit to the dealer that did the work last time.  There is no good reason that a rear pinion should be going out under 200k miles and zero reason to go out twice.  My thinking is there is an issue with the housing and it should be swapped.  If anything this might mean its time to make your move on that 75 you were dreaming of.  

I did call the dealer. They basically told me that the 2 year unlimited miles warranty they offer on all their work is the best in the industry, and since I am past my 2 years, I'm out of luck on this one. They did say that if I wanted to pay them to look at it, they would try to see why it is failing, but reminded me the chance of getting them to cover any repairs is very slim. I said no thanks!

The '75 is still going to happen, but it is probably a year or two out. For now I am looking at my options to fix it (hopefully with a locker) without breaking my small piggy bank.

The cheapest option is to repair my OEM axle, but I don't trust it to live very long. I could get a used F150 axle with the e-locker, but they are going for $1,800 to $2,000. The F250 Super Duty axle is a full floater and is around $1,100 open or $1,400 with an e-locker. I would also need new wheels since it is an 8 lug, and some minor fab work to make it fit. I would also need to put wheel adapters on the front if I don't want to run mismatched wheel bolt patterns front and rear. I know a Super Duty front axle would fix the wheel bolt pattern problem, but unless someone is willing to donate a front axle, steering set up and some fab work, that puts it way out of my budget. I'm leaning towards the Super Duty axle with locker, but I have not been able to find the specs for the flange to flange width to see if it is close enough to work.

I've got to make a decision soon though, I doubt my diff is going to survive much longer.

Give a call to sean at River City Diffs.  Might be able to give you another option we havent come up with.  Or at least a quote with a warranty.

The super duty swap seems like a lot of hassle and work for a rig you already plan on replacing.  There is a guy on craigslist parting out a 2011, open diff 3.55.  What is your gear ratio?

Thanks Kris, I'll give them a call. You are right, the fact that I may only keep the truck one or two more years is part of my decision difficulty. If I was keeping it long term I would go with the Super Duty set up without question, but it is a lot more work. I have 3.73's now.

I've made the decision to replace my rear axle assembly, and picked up a F250 Super Duty axle. For now, it has the 3.73 gears that match what I have in the truck now. It has a limited slip diff. All the parts look good and usable. The only major mods will be moving the shock mounts, installing ABS tone rings and sensors, and shortening the driveshaft. I will probably add a locker and lower gears in the near future, along with a possible Super Duty SAS.

For those of you who have built your own axles, did you keep the disc brake dust shield or remove it?

richfroh said

For those of you who have built your own axles, did you keep the disc brake dust shield or remove it?  

If I remember when I get home I will look and see if the dust shield is needed to properly space the backing plate.  I generally like to leave them as the thin backing plates will warn you if a rock has rolled into you brakes and is getting close to your calipers.  On the sterling, the caliper is at the back and is pretty exposed to rocks.

$1500 is a little steep but the 4.30 gears would probably be good enough to not need to spend the coin on for 37s.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/d/martinez-ford-superduty-axles-430-gears/6817766657.html

I don't know what year SD axles you are looking for, but if searching for the 99 -04 leaf sprung dana 50 or 60 and Sterling 10.5 in 4.30 gears you can get them for about $800 each. You will have better luck finding the 4.30 gears when looking for axles out of an Excursion as they were more popular in that ratio in those vs the F250-350.

As far as disk brake dust shields....ditch em.

Howdy said I don't know what year SD axles you are looking for, but if searching for the 99 -04 leaf sprung dana 50 or 60 and Sterling 10.5 in 4.30 gears you can get them for about $800 each. You will have better luck finding the 4.30 gears when looking for axles out of an Excursion as they were more popular in that ratio in those vs the F250-350.

As far as disk brake dust shields....ditch em.

Excursion front will be a dana 50.  Stronger than a 1970s 44 and cheap(dont pay more than $200 for one) but pointlessly heavy so just get a 60 front.

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kris_olof said

Howdy said

I don't know what year SD axles you are looking for, but if searching for the 99 -04 leaf sprung dana 50 or 60 and Sterling 10.5 in 4.30 gears you can get them for about $800 each. You will have better luck finding the 4.30 gears when looking for axles out of an Excursion as they were more popular in that ratio in those vs the F250-350.

As far as disk brake dust shields....ditch em.

Excursion front will be a dana 50.  Stronger than a 1970s 44 and cheap(dont pay more than $200 for one) but pointlessly heavy so just get a 60 front.

Yep...D50 in the Excursions. Do the 60 if you are going to wheel it otherwise the 50 will be fine for DD or light trails. If you come across a complete D50 with 4.30 gears for $200 let me know as I am looking to replace my 3.73 ratio axle in my F350 and I have not found any that cheap unless they are missing parts and need repair.

My ride has new shoes! 37x12.50x17 BFG Mud Terrain KM3.

Looks good Rich!

Congrats Rich!

Good choice.

Looks great Rich, good move

Nice!

They look great Rich!

Very nice Rich

Looks purdy.