'68 Rear Diff

[kentdaryl]

I was on my way to pick up a new F-450 yesterday (a whole other story) and saw a sweet little '68 F-100 Ranger for sale and stopped. It had the six with an auto, which I thought was unusual, but the rear diff wasn't a removable carrier type like a 9". My experience with 1/2 tons is limited, but what rear end would this be? Would it stand up to a V-8? Other than the engine, trans, radiator & support, what would be needed for a small block swap (No offense I-6 guys)?

[72hiboy4x4]

sounds like it may be a rare 5 lug Dana 60. that will stand up to anything you can throw at it, but if you like I'll trade you a good 9" rear for it!

so is that F-450 yours or a company type truck?

A SB radiator will bolt up to the 6's support, but it will need trimming to open up the hole for airflow.
you'll need engine perches, also.
exhaust, throttle linkages, wiring changes (not too bad), little things like that. splavin90 is doing the same thing with some parts I got for him, you might see what he has found out so far.

[kentdaryl]

hiboy, is that the only diff in our trucks with a rear cover? I guess it could have been the D60 but I didn't look that close. My boss saw it first so he has "first dibs" although I'm not sure if he'll step up and call the guy, I'm trying to encourage him to get a bumpside.
The F-450 is a work truck, just cab and chassis until the service body arrives. Daryl

[FORDification]

Some of our trucks did come with a Dana 44 differential as well, so you'll have to verify. If it's the 5-lug Dana 60, it's definitely worth grabbing, even though it's a semi-floater.

[kentdaryl]

I'd guess it's the D44 then, it looked smaller than the 60. Good info.
Daryl