06 Axle swap, the whole story

[lwillson]

So I swapped in a D60. Superb axle, way better than the TTB. However, unless you upgrade the springs, it rides like total _____ (pick expletive).

I then figured, if I am going to upgrade the suspension, I might as well do it right (I was tempted to do the 05 swap originally, but I cheaped out, and timed out, and didnt want to have my truck down for a long time).

Since the best source for parts was a newer truck, I started looking for parts. I could find parts, but some were crap, some were incomplete, some were burnt. Since a new truck would have all the parts, why dont I just get a new truck? Then I can sell a few parts I dont need to help fund the rest of the swap.

I watched the online salvage auctions, bid a few times, lost, then I got one.
2006 F-350 Lariat FX4. 288,000km's, rollover. Runs good too.

So I had to get it home (150km's away) So I rented a trailer and picked it up.

They loaded it for me(which was handy, as I didnt bring a winch or anything useful for dragging a truck onto the trailer). I felt like a kid in front of a vending machine, watching the truck come out of the yard.



Once we got it happily placed on the trailer, I chained it down, and headed home



Then the dismantling started.

The roof needed to come off, so I could dismantle the interior.Then the box came off. Since it was early, and I didnt have any friends around, I had to get the box off myself. The best idea I could come up with was weld it to the loader and lift it off. So I did

Set bucket in a decent spot to allow lifting and tack in 3 places


and lift



But I forgot that the hydraulic fittings on the front of the tractor are right at the height of the box of the dump trailer, so I made a good mess of them. They still work, but should be a lot straighter


The drivetrain is still complete in the truck, and it still runs. I have not taken any more apart, as it does still move around the yard under its own power. Once I get some bites on the engine, tranny and transfer case, it will be time to start dismantling again.

Thanks for watching, tune in next time, when there will obviously be puddles of coolant and transmission fluid all over the floor, because that seems to be the way I roll when dealing with fluids

[alberta 7.3]

Subscribed. If it wasn't a six hour drive, I'd pop by and lend a hand

I'm sure Princess Auto can set you up with some new hydraulics.

[mjonesjr]

Can't wait to see more.

Looks good so far!

[lil o rinny]

Looks good man...keep us updated.

[sgt dave]

Any updates????

[lwillson]

Sold most of the interior, but other than that, its still just a rolling chassis. Who knew no one would want a 6.0 with 285,000 kms

[Twinjracing]

Sounds like a little project.

[lwillson]

Well, finally, a kind gentleman came and purchased the engine. This meant that the engine has to come before the end of the weekend.

First job was to get the rads out and the rad crossmember out of the way. Normally it doesnt need to come out of the way, but the direction I was removing the cab made it easier if it was gone, so I cut it out with the band saw. I actually made it quite well without spilling much coolant (couple litres) but spilled more power steering fluid when I was trying to empty the reservoir.



Then after unhooking a ton of stuff (that I am so glad I am not hooking it back up, as I have forgotten where it all goes) it was time to lift the cab and slide it back and set it at the back of the frame.





Now to beef up my roof mounted chain hoist to support the weight of the 6.0 . It is a fair bit heavier than the 350 chev I pulled with it last.

[351fifty]

im picking up a rolling frame from 05 ^ as well for $2900 with factory 20's this will help me out alot when i break down and do mine, although i dont have much garage space

[CT Performance, Inc.]

When your ready..we have everything needed to put in the '05 up axles into a OBS..or SD..been doing these for 2+ years now.

Cary