Axle Swap
10-14-2011, 07:53 PM
#1
BAMF Club
Thread Starter
Axle Swap
I have the Sterling 10.25 rear axle ( 7 Lug ) and was thinking of changing the axle shafts so I could have a more common 6-lug or even 8 lug.
The problem with going to 6-lug is that the 9.75 axles are 34 spline and mine is 35 spline.
If I go to a 3/4 ton 8-bolt I can change the rear, but not sure how to get 8 lug front hubs...
I don't really want to run 6-bolt front and 8-bolt rear, for understandable reasons.
Thinking on this some more....
The 250/350s came with Sterling 10.5 8-lugs. Is there any reason I can't do an axle swap and get 8-lugs?
I would have to figure out what to do with the front hubs also, since the SDs have the solid axle and the 150s dont, unless its possible to swap the front hub assemblys and keep 4wd. I'd even be ok with going to manual hubs
The problem with going to 6-lug is that the 9.75 axles are 34 spline and mine is 35 spline.
If I go to a 3/4 ton 8-bolt I can change the rear, but not sure how to get 8 lug front hubs...
I don't really want to run 6-bolt front and 8-bolt rear, for understandable reasons.
Thinking on this some more....
The 250/350s came with Sterling 10.5 8-lugs. Is there any reason I can't do an axle swap and get 8-lugs?
I would have to figure out what to do with the front hubs also, since the SDs have the solid axle and the 150s dont, unless its possible to swap the front hub assemblys and keep 4wd. I'd even be ok with going to manual hubs
10-16-2011, 12:22 PM
#3
BAMF Club
Thread Starter
10.25
Originally the axle was made with a ring gear that measured 10.25' until it was upgraded 1999 to the 10.50 for the Ford Super Duty trucks. This axle came with drum brakes. The first version was made 1985 to 1992. A second revision included a stronger pinion and was made 1993-1997.
The 10.25 is still made. It appears the same as the 10.5 externally, except it uses a one piece differential case with 2 pinion gears.
10.25 Semi-float
The semi float variation is less common and was used in F-250 trucks with a lower GVWR. This stopped in 1993 model year trucks until the generation change. The 10th generation Ford F-150 offered this axle in the light duty F-250 trucks from 1997-1999. For model year 2000 trucks, the F-150 offered this axle and the F-250 light duty was discontinued.
10.50
1999 Ford revamped their heavy trucks. Including their own Sterling axle. An upgraded 3 pinion differential carrier was added. The differentails are interchangeable between the two variations. The new axle also came with disc brakes and a unique 8x170mm metric lug pattern. Options and features remained unchanged until model year 2011 trucks. 2011 models with this axle have the option of being equipped with an electronic locking differential.[1]
Originally the axle was made with a ring gear that measured 10.25' until it was upgraded 1999 to the 10.50 for the Ford Super Duty trucks. This axle came with drum brakes. The first version was made 1985 to 1992. A second revision included a stronger pinion and was made 1993-1997.
The 10.25 is still made. It appears the same as the 10.5 externally, except it uses a one piece differential case with 2 pinion gears.
10.25 Semi-float
The semi float variation is less common and was used in F-250 trucks with a lower GVWR. This stopped in 1993 model year trucks until the generation change. The 10th generation Ford F-150 offered this axle in the light duty F-250 trucks from 1997-1999. For model year 2000 trucks, the F-150 offered this axle and the F-250 light duty was discontinued.
10.50
1999 Ford revamped their heavy trucks. Including their own Sterling axle. An upgraded 3 pinion differential carrier was added. The differentails are interchangeable between the two variations. The new axle also came with disc brakes and a unique 8x170mm metric lug pattern. Options and features remained unchanged until model year 2011 trucks. 2011 models with this axle have the option of being equipped with an electronic locking differential.[1]
10-16-2011, 07:14 PM
#5
BAMF Club
Thread Starter
^ true, but then what would I do about my 7-lug front axles?
I actually found a set of rims that look pretty decent in 7-lug. Fuel started making some, so I have more options than what Centerline has.
I'm thinking these (Fuel Boost) 18x9 with 285/75/18 Toyo A/Ts.
I actually found a set of rims that look pretty decent in 7-lug. Fuel started making some, so I have more options than what Centerline has.
I'm thinking these (Fuel Boost) 18x9 with 285/75/18 Toyo A/Ts.
10-16-2011, 07:34 PM
#6
Senior Member
What's the front axle? Someone might actually make a 8 lug cv shaft for it if it's 4WD. 2WD you just replace with F250 parts (little customizing but it would work).
10-16-2011, 10:50 PM
#7
BAMF Club
Thread Starter
The front axle is the same as every other F150, a Ford 8.8, but with 4.10 gears.
I think I'll just save up for the wheels/tires for now and worry about going to 8 lugs later.
I think I'll just save up for the wheels/tires for now and worry about going to 8 lugs later.
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10-17-2011, 02:24 AM
#8
Its not the same axle. Its similar. It uses different axle shafts, Axle tubes are shorter, and it is not a full floating axle. You could see if the 04+ rear rotors are the same and get Moser to make a axle to your specs, then swapout the front hubs.