Advertisement
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Home Who's Online Today's Posts HP Calculator CompD Gift Shop Mark Forums Read
Go Back   Competition Diesel.Com - Bringing The BEST Together > Tech Area- Dodge > Dodge Tech > 03-07 3rd Gen.
Register Members List Timeslips EFI Live Library Invite Your Friends FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 05-26-2020, 08:14 PM   #1
Tobin
 
Tobin's Avatar

Name: Tobin
Title: 5.7 IDI Powaa!
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oviedo, FL
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 1,496
Axle Swap

Sick of the garbage the factory puts under these trucks. Now I have death wobble. Anyone swap 05-up Ford Super Duty axles under these trucks? Thinking about cutting all the Dodge junk off and building my own suspension. Everything is so flimsy and undersized for a 3/4 ton truck.
__________________
2006 Dodge 2500 QCLB 4x4 Goerend 48RE

1977 F250 RCLB 4x4 "High Boy" 12 valve, 180 pump, 5x.014, S363/S475, Goerend 47RH, NP271, 2007 D60/Sterling 10.5, 40" Toyo MTs
 
Old 05-27-2020, 09:37 AM   #2
RollCoal9000

Name: RollCoal9000
Title: Green Behind the Ears
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2019
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 99
What's wrong with the factory axle? Besides the fact that its kind of high maintenance due to everything turning all the time.

220k on mine seals leak a bit and I've had to replace axleshaft u joints control arms ball joints and steering, which is understandable since its been ran on washboard gravel roads all its life. Updated steering helps, and there are quality ball joints if you spend a little more. I haven't had any major problems with it.

Swapping a super duty axle sounds like more trouble than its worth unless you really want leaf springs. The stock axle turns really well compared to a duramax, haven't driven a super duty before.
 
Old 05-27-2020, 10:20 AM   #3
chevota84
 
chevota84's Avatar

Name: chevota84
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Prineville, OR
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,926
Quote:
Originally Posted by RollCoal9000 View Post
What's wrong with the factory axle? Besides the fact that its kind of high maintenance due to everything turning all the time.

220k on mine seals leak a bit and I've had to replace axleshaft u joints control arms ball joints and steering, which is understandable since its been ran on washboard gravel roads all its life. Updated steering helps, and there are quality ball joints if you spend a little more. I haven't had any major problems with it.

Swapping a super duty axle sounds like more trouble than its worth unless you really want leaf springs. The stock axle turns really well compared to a duramax, haven't driven a super duty before.
05+ fords are coil spring radius arms. They drive a million times better than 4 link dodges.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
__________________
99 Dodge 2500 with stuff
 
Old 05-27-2020, 12:08 PM   #4
RollCoal9000

Name: RollCoal9000
Title: Green Behind the Ears
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2019
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 99
Quote:
Originally Posted by chevota84 View Post
05+ fords are coil spring radius arms. They drive a million times better than 4 link dodges.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Those still have problems with death wobble and weak radius arms.
 
Old 05-27-2020, 12:28 PM   #5
Smokinrebel
 
Smokinrebel's Avatar

Name: Smokinrebel
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW Ohio
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,141
I would have hard time saying the newer ford front ends are superior. Ive had 3 super dutys with death wobble
__________________
2008 Huffy 10 Spd
 
Old 05-27-2020, 01:01 PM   #6
Marq92
 
Marq92's Avatar

Name: Marq92
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: May 2012
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 952
Death wobble can be a bunch of things from parts to caster settingfrok what I've read. I would never want to swap in something that involved when they are known to have that issue even more common than dodges. I'd rather just put in some good aftermarket long arms from Thuren or Carli.
__________________
2001.0 QCLB 3500 4x4 3.55 Toyo M-55 255/85R16 Brown's/Goerend 48RE sonnax shafts/maxed count Alto clutches Carli/Deaver 3.0 EMF BJ's PSC 6 bolt box Synergy steering TheRetroShop HID projector retrofit VLED's DC Power 180A alternator W-T ground mod ISSPRO EV2's
 
Old 05-27-2020, 02:01 PM   #7
bateman
 
bateman's Avatar

Name: bateman
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Alabama
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 2,668
It ain’t gonna ride any better than your stock axle would with longer arms and better coils.
 
Old 05-27-2020, 02:36 PM   #8
Marq92
 
Marq92's Avatar

Name: Marq92
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: May 2012
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 952
Exactly. No need to reinvent the wheel rather than work with what you have and improve it.
__________________
2001.0 QCLB 3500 4x4 3.55 Toyo M-55 255/85R16 Brown's/Goerend 48RE sonnax shafts/maxed count Alto clutches Carli/Deaver 3.0 EMF BJ's PSC 6 bolt box Synergy steering TheRetroShop HID projector retrofit VLED's DC Power 180A alternator W-T ground mod ISSPRO EV2's
 
Old 05-27-2020, 03:24 PM   #9
Ugly Dodge
 
Ugly Dodge's Avatar

Name: Ugly Dodge
Title: Diesel Enthusiast
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Ohio
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 144
My checklist is unlikely because you are in Florida but I keep stumbling on 3rd gen owners with rotted/compromised frames and I’m not really a mechanic. I’m just surrounded by farmers.

On a side note one of the examples I ran into has a gooseneck hooked up and the farmer never unhooks it and won’t until something fails. (Silver/reg/4x4/Auto) For anyone who knows him too.
 
Old 05-27-2020, 03:41 PM   #10
CorneliusRox
 
CorneliusRox's Avatar

Name: CorneliusRox
Title: Seasoned Rookie
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Detroit, MI
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,154
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marq92 View Post
Death wobble can be a bunch of things from parts to caster settingfrok what I've read. I would never want to swap in something that involved when they are known to have that issue even more common than dodges. I'd rather just put in some good aftermarket long arms from Thuren or Carli.
X2, get some Thuren parts (soft coils, shocks, track bar, control arms), then get an alignment. You'll be happy with it, have less time and money into it, and have a lot of support.
__________________
Corey - BSME
'21 Tesla Model 3 Perf
'22 DMax AT4 2500
 
Old 05-27-2020, 06:57 PM   #11
Marq92
 
Marq92's Avatar

Name: Marq92
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: May 2012
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 952
Don't forget ball joints. Thuren sells EMF ones which can be rebuilt yourself, unlike the Carli joints which have to be sent out to see if they will honor the lifetime guarantee.
__________________
2001.0 QCLB 3500 4x4 3.55 Toyo M-55 255/85R16 Brown's/Goerend 48RE sonnax shafts/maxed count Alto clutches Carli/Deaver 3.0 EMF BJ's PSC 6 bolt box Synergy steering TheRetroShop HID projector retrofit VLED's DC Power 180A alternator W-T ground mod ISSPRO EV2's
 
Old 05-27-2020, 08:56 PM   #12
Smoken Gun
 
Smoken Gun's Avatar

Name: Smoken Gun
Title: Diaboli parum adiutor.
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Michigan
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 3,200
Thuren on death wobble, for reference: https://www.thurenfabrication.com/te...-in-depth.html
__________________
'18 Ram 3500 Cummins Aisin Laramie Mega. Sold.
'97 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Auto Laramie. Sold.
'03 Ford F-250 6.0L Auto. Sold.
 
Old 05-28-2020, 09:49 AM   #13
RollCoal9000

Name: RollCoal9000
Title: Green Behind the Ears
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2019
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 99
Hell you could get some bushings and rod ends and steel and build radius arms for the stock axle for less work.

I have extended control arms, 2" rough country coils, and carli shocks. It doesnt ride great empty (factory shocks and 3" blocks out back dont help). But load it down with some weight it rides good. I imagine the thuren control arms with rod ends would improve the ride quality greatly.

I dont have death wobble atm (not sure how) with the steering gear wore out and stock track bar. Doesn't steer great but it hasn't quit completely so not replacing it yet.
 
Old 05-28-2020, 12:48 PM   #14
56cummins

Name: 56cummins
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Mar 2014
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 733
I really like the 05+ fords. I've pondered the same swap for my 2nd gen, gain lockout hubs, 4.10s and bigger brakes. Im too lazy and the bolt pattern is wrong.
__________________
95 cummins
 
Old 05-28-2020, 01:16 PM   #15
Marq92
 
Marq92's Avatar

Name: Marq92
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: May 2012
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 952
Are they bigger than 3rd gen brakes? They sell lockout hub conversion kits.
__________________
2001.0 QCLB 3500 4x4 3.55 Toyo M-55 255/85R16 Brown's/Goerend 48RE sonnax shafts/maxed count Alto clutches Carli/Deaver 3.0 EMF BJ's PSC 6 bolt box Synergy steering TheRetroShop HID projector retrofit VLED's DC Power 180A alternator W-T ground mod ISSPRO EV2's
 
Old 05-28-2020, 01:53 PM   #16
Ugly Dodge
 
Ugly Dodge's Avatar

Name: Ugly Dodge
Title: Diesel Enthusiast
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Ohio
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by 56cummins View Post
I really like the 05+ fords. I've pondered the same swap for my 2nd gen, gain lockout hubs, 4.10s and bigger brakes. Im too lazy and the bolt pattern is wrong.
I looked for a section just for this. Send me a link if you find any good data on it though. Can’t hurt to read up. Not to mention Wilwood makes a 6 piston brake kit for these axles and OX makes cable lockers for these axles.

But like you said the bolt pattern is wrong. I like having the same bolt pattern as my trailer. I also went to 225/75-16s too. Helps the crappy steering. Give it a decade and I may change my mind on sticking with these axles as I continue to simplify the electrical system.
 
Old 05-28-2020, 02:29 PM   #17
Phooker
 
Phooker's Avatar

Name: Phooker
Title: Gluten Free
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lake Charles, La
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 7,466
Put a good track bar and control arms on first. Then go from there.

Currently my front end consists of:
-Carli Ball joints
-Thuren Sway Bar (nothing to do with death wobble)
-Thuren Trac Bar
-Thuren Control arms
-08.5 steering
-Thuren softride coils
-Thuren 2.0 IFP king shocks.

Living in Louisiana, I know terrible road quality, and I haven't had any issues in 25k miles.
 
Old 05-28-2020, 05:34 PM   #18
Tobin
 
Tobin's Avatar

Name: Tobin
Title: 5.7 IDI Powaa!
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oviedo, FL
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 1,496
Already have a Thuren track bar, Bilstein shocks, Fox steering dampner, etc. I've read through Thurens info multiple times on death wobble.

If you compare a 05+up Ford Dana 60 to the AAM front axle, there is no comparison. Adjustable camber, locking hubs, Better unit bearings, 35 spline axles, bigger brakes, Massive steering components compared to the Dodge junk, way better ball joints, list goes on.

I built a 4 link with a 05+ up Ford axle on my 77 and it is SOLID. With 40" tires, the Ford brakes stop better than the Dodge junk.
__________________
2006 Dodge 2500 QCLB 4x4 Goerend 48RE

1977 F250 RCLB 4x4 "High Boy" 12 valve, 180 pump, 5x.014, S363/S475, Goerend 47RH, NP271, 2007 D60/Sterling 10.5, 40" Toyo MTs

Last edited by Tobin; 05-28-2020 at 05:35 PM.
 
Old 05-28-2020, 05:35 PM   #19
Phooker
 
Phooker's Avatar

Name: Phooker
Title: Gluten Free
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lake Charles, La
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 7,466
Sounds like you have it figured out.

/endthread
 
Old 05-29-2020, 09:57 AM   #20
thatguy69
 
thatguy69's Avatar

Name: thatguy69
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Mansfield Ohio
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 2,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tobin View Post
Already have a Thuren track bar, Bilstein shocks, Fox steering dampner, etc. I've read through Thurens info multiple times on death wobble.

If you compare a 05+up Ford Dana 60 to the AAM front axle, there is no comparison. Adjustable camber, locking hubs, Better unit bearings, 35 spline axles, bigger brakes, Massive steering components compared to the Dodge junk, way better ball joints, list goes on.

I built a 4 link with a 05+ up Ford axle on my 77 and it is SOLID. With 40" tires, the Ford brakes stop better than the Dodge junk.
I agree, the Ford stuff is built HEAVY. Dodge should take notes. Everything is literally double in size compared to my second gen. From brakes to bearings, joints, etc.and you can find them dirt cheap because there's so many 6.0s and 6.4s being parted out.
__________________
1999 Compound 24v Rust Rocket
2008 F350 P24v/Allison
 
Closed Thread

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:53 AM.

 


Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2006 - 2024, CompetitionDiesel.com
all information found on this site is property of www.competitiondiesel.com