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Old 10-25-2017, 03:40 PM   #1
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Time for a Full Float

I'm on the hunt for a recommendation of someone excellent who will take on the job of installing a new rear end in my van. I've called a couple places in Portland but am hoping y'all can give me some experiential guidance. I'm about an hour east of PDX so NW Or./SW Wa. is my range.

We just returned from a month long, 5,400 mile road trip and one of my rear axle seals is leaking... again. I've had the rear end rebuilt once and two axles replaced over the rig's 132k mile life. I've read all the posts I can find on here and am thinking the van is just too heavy (10k+) and the tires too big for the SF. I've started the search for a full floater but am going to need someone to do the install work. My tool box is way too small for the job.

Suggestions about sourcing a 4.10 LS FF also appreciated.

Thanks - Joe

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Old 10-25-2017, 04:03 PM   #2
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Or hunt down an E-350 full float on ebay or at local salvage yards.

Expovans.com may be able to do it for you, you would have to call and find out and they may be able to help source as well.
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Old 10-25-2017, 04:41 PM   #3
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Ferrals auto wrecking in Mt Vernon had a FF with disc brakes under a van the last time I paid them a visit. No idea of what ratio it has though. MG, or Jsweezy would probably be able to get it installed, there both near Portland. I'm wondering why you had to replace two axles though? Did the bearings wear out the axle?
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Old 10-25-2017, 06:08 PM   #4
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Are you just trying to put a full float rear van axle under it or an F250 rear axle?
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Old 10-25-2017, 08:05 PM   #5
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they did - Both axles were scored by failed bearings.
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Old 10-25-2017, 08:06 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jsweezy View Post
Are you just trying to put a full float rear van axle under it or an F250 rear axle?
I'm not sure the difference actually. Really just want to eliminate what has shown itself as a weak point in my drive train.
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Old 10-25-2017, 09:02 PM   #7
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I'm not sure the difference actually. Really just want to eliminate what has shown itself as a weak point in my drive train.
A big difference is the lug pattern. Vans are 8x165 and the trucks are 8x170. Unless you can find an axle from pre-1999 I think. That's the year Ford introduced the Superduty. I could be wrong but prior to that the trucks were also 8x165. But ideally you want an axle with disc brakes. Ujoint specs the sterling which is 8x170 but check, maybe they have a D60 lying around.

The other issue is width or wms-wms. Lots of threads on this but with a FF out of an E series you will need wheel spacers to match the wms-wms on the front. Not sure if that applies to a Quigley but that's the dealio on a Sportsmobile 4x4 conversion. It's arguably the use of the spacers on a semi-float that leads to premature bearing and axle seal failure. Some have had luck finding a D70 out of a box van which is wider and there is no need for spacers.

If it were me I wouldn't worry to much about the gearing. If your sourcing one from a salvage yard with 100k you might want new innards anway. It's not that much more in parts and labor to change out.
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Old 10-25-2017, 10:26 PM   #8
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Thanks for the responses - Vehicle did come with Correct Track spacers which sounds like I would need to keep with an E-series rear end. Are those considered a liability with a FF as well as SF? With the wheels I have now I'd prefer staying with the same bolt pattern if possible
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Old 10-25-2017, 10:48 PM   #9
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Thanks for the responses - Vehicle did come with Correct Track spacers which sounds like I would need to keep with an E-series rear end. Are those considered a liability with a FF as well as SF? With the wheels I have now I'd prefer staying with the same bolt pattern if possible
Other opinions may vary but spacers aren't that big a deal on a FF because the weight isn't supported by the axle. That's what I'm running. I swapped my SF for a D60.
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Old 10-26-2017, 05:34 AM   #10
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First thing is to figure out your bolt pattern. I’m assuming your van is 4wd? If so and your front axle has 8x170 bolt pattern your rear may have spacers/ adapaters to change it to 8x170 instead of the 8x6.5. Of that is truly the case you could install a sterling 10.5 out of an F250/F350.

You could lose your spacers and have a better option.
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