Help identifying 4WD conversion - Page 3

UJOINT · 12-29-2013, 08:43 AM

Need more pics, there isn't much that can be done to a leaf sprung front shackle suspension, especially if the springs are short. Most likely its an early GM leaf spring because they're cheap and easily to get. They also ride like crap since all aftermarket spring manufacturers overbuild them to avoid sag & warranty claims. Pics will tell us what the situation is! Most conversions I've seen from Advance are pretty light duty.

The 1356 is a good t-case (in fixed yoke form, not a fan of slip yokes) but getting hard to find and the 271 is just better in every way.

We don't use D44's for any conversions, but our kits can use a 99-04 D50. At the shop its all 60's for installation. Many of our DIY guys have used D50's with no problems but the housing is the same as a 60. They just have smaller ring gears (same as a 44) and the axle shafts taper down to fit the smaller carrier.

These vans can easily hit or go over 10K when converted to a camper & fully loaded so a D44 isn't HD enough in my opinion.

boywonder · 12-30-2013, 09:44 AM

I just called Advanced and asked them for any details of the 4x4 conversion (I provided the ID# on the door jamb sticker):

The response was "Dana 60 front axle/New process 271 transfer case and the wheel lug pattern is 8x 6.5 (stock)"

Is this a typical setup? I know very little about transfer cases......

What's the easy way to differentiate a Dana 60 from a Dana 44?

Ford_6L_E350 · 12-30-2013, 12:12 PM

The Dana Model # is cast into the housing, below the axle tube, to the right of rear cover as shown on this webpage:

http://www.differentials.com/technical- ... tification

Mike

boywonder · 12-30-2013, 12:24 PM

Excellent link Mike, thanks!

boywonder · 12-31-2013, 08:36 AM

If this van has a Dana 60 (as Advanced claims) and an 8x6.5" lug pattern, what would be expected for front brakes? The older brakes from a late 90's truck or do the brakes from the van (2008 E350) bolt up typically?

E350 · 12-31-2013, 08:48 AM

Simplist thing is to ask the seller to email you the tire size. On my 2002, which I bought new, the rims were 16". When the Dana 60 was installed on my van's front axle, the converter increased the rim size to 17" in order to fit the larger diameter brake rotors which came on the F350 axle. (Brakes should be upgraded in size just to slow down the new front axle drive train and to compensate for increased vehicle weight.) So, if you have 17" or larger rims, the brakes have likely been increased in size.

From your door sticker, when was your van converted? My understanding from my converter was they use a new front axle which would be used on a F350 for the year your van is converted. My van was converted in 2007, so my front axle is the then F250/F350 front axle. So my guess is that your brakes are the size that were stock size on an F350 for that year.

BTW, goodonya' for the NV271 transfer case. My van's BW1356 has the integrated slip yoke in the tail piece. Which leaks.

boywonder · 12-31-2013, 09:30 AM

Thanks E350: Since the lug bolt pattern is 8 x 6.5, I'm assuming a late 90's Dana axle, hence the question above, unless shiny new Dana 60's can still be had with the van lug pattern.

If the bolt pattern was 8x170mm, chances are the axle would be newer (I think, no expert here). I had a chat with Ford_6L-E350 Mike last night and his thoughts were that it's probably an older truck axle based on the lug bolt pattern.

I don't know what size wheels it has but I am heading out this afternoon to check it out.

E350 · 12-31-2013, 09:50 AM

Don't stop at just counting the lugs or their spacing. My 2007 front axle (and oem rear axle as modified by spacers) from the converter run:

Ultra Wheel type 164P 164-7981P 17x9 4 1/2 -12 8-6.5 89-8114 5.125" 3050 31

Each front hub has an ABS sensor and there is one in the top of the rear differential. Speculation: Would a late 90's axle be compatible with a 2008 ABS system?

Also, I don't know anything about Advanced, but would a commercial converter actually take the liability of using a used (I guess it could be new old 90's stock) axle? Would it have been under the then Ford warranty? My converter told me that my front axle was actually covered by the Ford warranty, because he bought it from Ford directly and he was a Ford recognized vehicle upgrader or words to that effect. That was the supposed beauty of using Ford parts. Never had to use the Ford warranty, so I didn't have a chance to test that aspect.

Related: Unit bearings have to do with lug pattern. The same front axle can have various unit bearings. And the rear axle lug pattern is determined by the lug pattern on the spacers used. See UJoint and REF's discussion re 8-6.5 here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12263&start=15

Edit: Originally, I mistakenly said "hubs" instead of "unit bearings." Fixed. (I have replaced my hubs without taking the wheel off. I have not had to replace my unit bearings yet, but you can't replace them without taking the wheel off!)

boywonder · 12-31-2013, 11:28 AM

Thanks E350! That's encouraging.......When I get to the van, I'm going to check the dates on the axle and transfer case among about 100 other things.....

I read the thread you linked to as well, several times.....the learning curve is still very steep.

BajaSportsmobile · 01-01-2014, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E350

My van's BW1356 has the integrated slip yoke in the tail piece. Which leaks.

Replace the seal - about $24.00.

The BW1356 is a great T-Case. If your's is leaking from the output, it is just the seal (probably damaged by someone installing the driveshaft) which is easy to replace. If it has been replaced and is still leaking then your driveshaft slip yoke is bad.