Sterling Axles

[ScrapIron]

So im trying to understand exactly why people swap a sterling axle into their ford E-series van after coverting it to a 4x4 axle?

I have always assumed the reason was an attempt to match the 8x170mm lug pattern and increase rear track width. Am i wrong in my assumption? Is it also true that even with a sterling axle a person still has to run a two inch thick wheel spacer on the axle?

[225]

No spacer is needed. If you get a 2011+ axle, they come with a optional e-locker. You can add the same e locker ($500), but you will have to drill a hole in your axle housing for the wire.

[blair]

UJOR is a big fan of them.

[TheLetterJ]

Even though most of the e-series came from the factory with a dana 60 rear axle, I'd wager that most were semi-float (c-clip) which is very failure prone under a heavy vehicle. The stronger full float dana 60 found under many of the e350's is a good axle, but at the weight that many built out smb's come in at, even it isn't bomb proof. If you need a gear/locker/brake/bolt pattern/track width change, a Sterling can end up a lot cheaper if you find a matched set of front/rear axles.

[loper]

We used a 10.5 Sterling in ours. Matched the F 350 front axle, no spacers, bigger brakes, and the locker I wanted is available for the Sterling, but not for the van Dana 60.

[ScrapIron]

So the answer is that they want a full float, wider track width, convert to 8x1700mm lug, and as a bonus they can usually get a locker at the same time if they shop a bit for the right one?

Ok thanks, the dually of course is a full float and has a limited slip in it. That said i never took the time to research the needs of a SRW van and the specific details related to its rear axle needs when doing a 2005+ 4x4 axle swap.

[The_Vermonster]

Originally Posted by ScrapIron

So the answer is that they want a full float, wider track width, convert to 8x1700mm lug, and as a bonus they can usually get a locker at the same time if they shop a bit for the right one?

In my area I can get a Full Float D60 or a Sterling for about the same cost. So as you can see, the Sterling has a lot of advantages.

[shenrie]

My cargo came with a semi float. At 10,600lbs I didn’t trust it to carry the weight. That in itself is enough reason for me.

I found an 05 f250 at a local salvage yard that had just less miles on it than my van with a 10.5 sterling rear axle. Paid $350ish and a hundred of that was a core charge. I removed the trac lock diff out of my semi float axle before taking it back. I sold that for around $200. So other than my time and the new spring seats I bought for the sterling conversion, it was damn near a wash. I think I was out a couple hundred by the time calipers/brakes were sorted. That’s easy money for peace of mind when an axle finally does break my wheel won’t be go rocketing by me on the freeway or shoot off cliff out in the sticks. Only downside is it does take some getting used to being considerably wider in the rear of the van. Gotta swing a little wider to not hang a wheel over an edge or drag it on/over obstacles.

[ScrapIron]

Ok, thanks guys. I will file all that away in case i decide to down size in the future sometime.

[SierraHawk]

I've spent tens of thousands to maintain and repair the Dynatrac Dana 60. Consider the above suggestion to find a matching pair of Sterling front and FF/rear axles. Ask if anyone has installed Sterlings front and rear and whether they needed to shorten the tubes.