10.5 brakes on the 10.25 sterling

[m j]

I am in the midst of this conversion.
using info from the http://fordmann.com/F250.Dana_70U.htm site
I have brakes from both the fullfloat d60 e350 and the 10.5
the fordmann site states to use a spring from a hardware store. the spring from the e350 clears everything, I still have research to do as too whether the e350 small parts kit will provide all the pieces you need and can be used in lieu of the 10.5 small parts kit.
it may be that the e350 parts are better to use for this swap.
+ the pads are already clearanced
+ the springs are well out of the way of the sterling hub
- the upper pivot differs a fair bit from the 10.5 parts so pads do not swap
- I have to remeasure the ceterhole on the e350 bracket to see if it will fit over the 10.25 housing tube.

I used 1/4 plate for the flange. pretty close to the 10.25 flange oem thickness, and easier to work with for experimenting
3/8 or thicker would be better and I may redo it in the future. I would get them plasma'd

10.5 parts on the 10.25 unmolested showing how close things get. hub cannot go on.


changed to e350 upper spring


ref pic of e350 parts


upper pivot differences


pad differences


pad differences


more to come...

[m j]

shoes modified, e350 spring, ready to install



I will check better once I clean up the DS tube but it looks like e 350 stuff is the better starting point

[co04cobra]

SD axles FTW!!

[m j]

ew metric bolt pattern FTL

if anything a disc brake dana 80 is FTW anything else is full of issues

[Garbage_Mechanic]

I have some details on the ultimate rear disc conversion. It has been done sucessfully more than once, I know how but don't have the specifics. Install a complete SD 10.5, but the hubs are redrilled to OBS non metric wheel pattern. Everthing is stock SD except the wheel studs and the machine work on the hubs. The axle assy is slightly wider than the OBS so it actually matches the front axle. I believe this is the best setup because if you use a SD front axle you have unit bearings which is one reason I dont own a SD!

[bad12jr]

That's easily solved with a conversion. And its easier to set up the hub bearings on the conversion kits. You can do it on the bench instead of in the air.

Sent from my x2 chillin in the middle of no where

[m j]

the 99-04 front axle is a downgrade from the 97 BJ d60 IMO
an 10.5 with 8x6.5 would still need the e350 rotors.

an 05+ super 60 would be cool other then the goofy radius arm casting.

anyone have a compelling reason to use a 10.5? it doesnt appear to be an upgrade to me. I paid $50 for the 10.5 I robbed the brackets from
I didnt see anything on it worth keeping so plan to scrap it.

it would cost more in machine work then what i have into moving the brakes on to my 10.25 to have custom machined hubs to retain the good wheel bolt pattern.
no way would I run adapters, and they would exasperate the width issue.

[co04cobra]

Why would you think the 10.5 or the SD D60 is a downgrade? You can have 4 wheel disc brakes AND a dana 60 front for the price most of you guys are paying for just a BJ obs D60. Then you can also have a set of axles that aren't offset too


And LMAO at the unit bearings. FuK a bunch of packing wheel bearings. Ill put a unit bearing in every 100K miles in 15 minutes vs knoocking races out, replacing spindles, and blah blah. JMO.

[m j]

you havent come up with anything to sell me on a 10.5.

if I found a good deal on a disc brake dana 80 I would grab it, but 10.5 looks like a waste of time.

the 99-04 front d50/60 had a lot of failures.
I saw way to many on the side of the road with a wheel no longer attached. which is probably why the 05+ stuff is so beefy
how often do you think spindles get replaced? way beyond 100000miles for most
$200 a side for unit bearings, what a deal.

[JD3020]

Subbed for results. May convert to rear discs this summer, tired of drums.

Although if i get lucky, i'll just go to a D80 or AAM and call it a day. Factory locker from my dad's D-max would be soo nice...