F250 front axle steering articulations

[pavulon]

Can someone educate me on the ins and outs of this truck's front axle? It's a '68 and I'm considering going to look at it in Michigan.

[SeanPizzle]

Closed knuckle design. If you are looking for an axle for a 4x4 swap for a jeep (et al), this isn't highly sought after. Look for later 70's ford trucks. Do you want 8 lug one ton (Dana 44) or 8 lug 3/4 ton (D44)? What is it going into?

Here is the bible:

Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive

[pavulon]

Thank you. It would stay in it's native home...I'm considering the entire truck!

[wdfifteen]

It's just a cardan joint inside a spherical seal that keeps it clean.

[yetibone]

That's a design that Toyota used for years on their solid front axles. Very durable.

[Josh D]

If you're just using it for normal duty and keep tire size small, the biggest downfall is poor turning radius, drum brakes, and regular required maintainance. If you are going to wheel it hard or add big tires, you'll have issue with king pin bolts and spindle bolts loosening/stripping, as well as the small u-joint inside the knuckle.

Looks like a cool truck. I have a '71 Jeep pickup that came with closed knuckle D44. I swapped in a mid '80s open knuckle, disc braked D44 from a Dodge. From end to end a much better, stronger axle. I run 35" tires.

[pavulon]

If I buy it, I'm certain that it would rarely see off-road duty, never winter and that front end would be more than adequate. I was unaware of the closed knuckle design prior to this. I'm honestly surprised by how many nice highboy Fords are out there.