E350 10.50 axle swap

brettboat · Oct 13, 2014

So I'm wanting to swap a 2001ish e250/350 rear axle into my obs. They're the same lug pattern as obs axles and have disc brakes. Is there anything special I need to know to have this done?

JSchuricht · Oct 13, 2014

The width is different as well as the spring perches. Also it's generally not as strong of an axle as the 10.25 that you already have. Your best bet is a 10.5 axle from a SD, redrill the hubs and use the van rotors.

brettboat · Oct 13, 2014

Super duty axles are wider than obs axles if I'm not mistaken.

Garbage_Mechanic · Oct 13, 2014

Yes they are wider, but in this case it is a good thing. The 99-04 SD axles are the same width as the front OBS axle, fixing one of the little annoyances with the OBS, different track width front to back. Always wonder why wider tires stick out more in the front?

On the van axle, I think the axle strength is a step backward. You are doing some good thinking, and exploring ideas, just that most of it has been thought of before. Not that you won't bethe guy to think up somehting new one of these days!

Krause · Oct 14, 2014

I wouldnt do the van axles. This has been well covered at this point, the van axles are narrower while the 99-04 are about 2 inches wider/side or about 4 inches wider overall vs OBS rear axle.

In most (all cases), this pretty much makes the truck look better, and it wont affect the safety of the truck other than making it less likely to roll.

Van axles are playing with fire IMO, I wouldnt want to put anything narrower than factory spec under there, especially when it potentially is expected to have a bunch of weight riding in the bed. Plus it'll look goofy if nothing else...