rear end upgrades?

[jellybean]

1971 f250 4x4. I would like to upgrade to disc brakes on the front and from what I've been told, I should just swap out the whole front axle. What year would be best as far as fit and toughness? Also I'm thinking of re-gearing it from the 4.10 to 3.73? I have a dana 70 from a 76 4x2 with the 3.73 gears. Can I just swap the rear axle, or do I need to move the spring mounts? Is this worth it or just keep what I have?

[heep70]

Get ahold of Comet. He is doing this swap.

[Comet]

For the fronts no spring mount swap is necessary up to '79. I don't recall the exact year (I wanna say '74) they went from the closed knuckle to the open, which is generally a better design. In '77 1/2 they went to a high pinion front axle, which is not only stronger in the front, but more clearance. I'm dropping in a '78 dana 44 with discs.
The rears you will have to move the perches as the frames got wider in '73. The dana 70 is worth it if you are running something like 49" tires or carrying super heavy loads. Otherwise I would use it to finance your front axle as that will cost ya plently, especially if you seek the high pinion dana 60.

[willowbilly3]

76 was the first year for discs and open knuckles. Depends on what you use the truck for but I would find a high pinion 60. I have destroyed several 44 front ends with stock tires. They are fine for a pavement pounder but you can't rally them much. I think the 60s up into the 80s will work if they have the solid axle option. Also I would get rid of the divorced T-case if it was me. You eliminate one drive shaft and gain a bunch of clearance. Go to a married 205.

[heep70]

Are you saying that the devorced D24 T-case hangs to low? I love my D24, I plow fields and clean out ditches with it.

[MudinMan4x4]

once your truck gets high enough it doesnt matter I do like how easy they are to work on...

[willowbilly3]

Are you saying that the devorced D24 T-case hangs to low? I love my D24, I plow fields and clean out ditches with it.

Did you ever try and put one on the old post lift like gas stations used to have?
I never had much trouble dragging it through the mud or whatever but sure did wipe out several of those low slung front drivelines. My ideal highboy would have a 4 speed with married 205 and high pinion 60 front with 4.56 gears and a set of those super rare 8x19.5 wheels. And of course integral power steering. And a 300-6 with twin turbos.