Swapping '08 F550 4x4 front suspenion into an '02 F550

[oceanstateperf]

I'm looking at swapping a Dana Super 60 front axle from an '08 F550 into an '02 F550. Looking for anyone here that maybe has already done this and can give me a heads up on what to expect? So the '02 truck currently has a standard Dana 60, leaf spring suspension, and the large 8 lug pattern (225mm?) 19.5 wheels. The new axle has the 10 lug wheel pattern and is set up to use coil springs and radius arms. I read a magazine article a while ago about doing this in an F250 or 350 and they used some aftermarket 4 link arms and brackets to locate the axle from what I remember.............Fabtech, Pro Comp, or one of those companies I think? Anyone know if the front frame rails on the '02 will accept all the '05 and newer brackets or if it's all different and lots of fabrication will be required? Does the '05 and newer stuff use a panhard bar for side to side centering? The truck already has a rear air suspension so I'm figuring on using a Kelderman (or comparable) air bag front spring set up in place of the '05 and newer coil springs. Anyone know if the outer 8 lug wheel adapter hubs from the '02 will bolt on in place of the '08 10 lug hubs? How about steering linkage? I'm assuming that the '05 and newer steering linkage and tie rods are all longer to account for the axles wider track width. Anyone know if those factory steering parts will bolt into the '02 truck? Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Thanks, Pat

[Dietoremain]

i think solid front axles are way better but whatever you wanna do. i'm sure it could be done.

[oceanstateperf]

Originally Posted by Dietoremain

i think solid front axles are way better but whatever you wanna do. i'm sure it could be done.

Both systems use a Dana 60 solid front axle. Ford started using a coil spring and radius arm suspension system with the Dana "Super" 60 solid axle in 2005 instead of the standard Dana 60 solid axle with leaf springs on the 2004 and older trucks.

Thanks, Pat

[Dietoremain]

ah gotcha thanx for clarifying. its cool technology these days. i bet it gives a much nicer ride eh?

[oceanstateperf]

Originally Posted by Dietoremain

ah gotcha thanx for clarifying. its cool technology these days. i bet it gives a much nicer ride eh?

I haven't spent a lot of time in any newer trucks with the coils but my impression is that it rides a lot better. It's the same axle and front suspension that the '08 and newer 450 pickups use. In addition the "super" 60 has larger and stronger components and is also wider so the turning radius is much better.

[Dietoremain]

nice, i hate the turning radius on these things sometimes. ugh.

[layson]

not only ride better, but better bearings, and a larger turning radius

[Austinj427]

Originally Posted by layson

not only ride better, but better bearings, and a larger turning radius

You mean smaller right?

Those F 450/550s turn like ****ing minis compared to these leaf spring front end trucks.


And to the OP, my best suggestion would be to give a call to a few different companys. See if they have any information.

That thing should be pretty bad once you are done with it.

[layson]

Yep... that is what I meant. Thanks for pointing that out. It was supposed to be "better" turning radius...