What axle is under a 1973 Super Camper Special?

[mad2smile]

I know it isnt a bump-related question, but does anyone know what axle was used on the '73 F-350 Super Camper Special? i found a SCS over at the junk yard and was thinking about buying the axle off of it. my '76 F-150 currently has a Ford 9", but if the SCS axle is rated significantly more, i figure a swap would be well worth the small cost involved. my truck is used for construction and landscaping, so towing and heavy loads (2500-4000lbs) are a fairly regular occurrence.

[heep70]

Probably a Dana 60. Doing a swap would make the rear a eight lug and the front a 5 lug (2 spare tires). Also you might think about trade leaf packs. You could calll it a 5/8 ton truck.

[averagef250]

The super camper specials used a special single wheel 35 spline Dana 70. They are a very tough axle. Most were 3.73 or 4.10 geared and many had powerlock limited slips.

The F350 super camper specials have the same spring spacing as all 72 and older fords and 73-77.5 F-250 4x4's. The spacing is very far from what your 76 F150 has, but can be changed if you have the abilities.

The stock 9 inch will handle more weight than your F150 chassis can. To me, it's a waste of time to upgrade to a heavier rear axle and have a light duty frame. The F100/F150 frame should not be used hard with lots of weight. They just aren't built for it.

If you want a stout setup run the whole 73 SCS chassis. Those frames are essentially bobbed F350 cab and chassis frames and have the front suspension and brakes to match.

[averagef250]

When I referred to your chassis not handling the weight the springs were not what I was talking about. You can put the biggest axles, stack tons of spring under it, but you still have an F150 frame. The frame is the weak link on a 1/2 ton or 2wd F250. They are not made for lots of weight. They are much thinner than F350 2wd or F250 4x4 frames and flex a considerable amount with weight on them.

I don't know what you're doing with your truck, you may be well within it's weight limits, if you are then the 9 inch is fine. If you are over 7K on the truck or 10K GCVW towing you need a beefier chassis. The 1/2 ton stuff is not going to last under use like that for long.

[fordman]

16.5 tires are exspensive and sometimes hard to find. what kind of work are you doing with your truck?

[mad2smile]

I do construction and landscaping, and during the winters, i do commercial snow removal (shoveling, not plowing). ive had as much as 4000lbs in the bed of my truck before, but i usually try to keep the max at around 3000lbs. all winter long, my truck has a minimum of 2000lbs in the bed at all times. i also tow occasionally, but i dont think ive ever towed more than 4000lbs.

i inspect my truck on a fairly regular basis. i have yet to see any signs of frame damage. i agree that i probably need a heavier truck, but on the other hand, the old '76 has yet to fail me. i considered plating the entire frame, but i need to do some more research before going that route.

for now, i just want to remove the current weak links... bad bushings, low-load springs, old shocks, crappy tires, and possibly front and rear axle setups. once all that's taken care of, the frame will be the only thing left. and hopefully before the frame decides to go, i'll have enough money saved to fix up the body and beef-up my current frame or switch to a heavier one.

[fordman]

woudl the junkyard sell you the rolling frame. and you could do a body swap?

[mad2smile]

i think they would sell the frame. my truck is a supercab longbed and the SCS is a regular cab longbed, so i would have to lengthen the frame before a body swap could happen. good idea though. i'll ask the scrap yard what they would charge for frame with axles included.

[averagef250]

The SCS frame would be almost a match for a supercab longbed pickup. The wheelbase is almost the same, you'd just need to make new rear cab mounts and add 18" or so to the rear of the frame. Your bed will not bolt up though. The SCS, all other F350's and 73-77 F250 4x4's have narrow rear frames.

Switching the entire chassis would be my choice. 16.5 wheels should be avoided. There's virtually nothing available in them today.

[mad2smile]

thanks for all the frame info.

did ford make 8-lug 16" wheels? id like a period wheel with a center cap if possible, but i suppose it isnt necessary. i guess i could always go to an 18" or 19.5" wheel if i wanted to run really heavy tires. i just dont think it would look as good.

[fordman]

yes they did