Ford 10 1/2 in rear end?

[AustinTom]

Did Ford ever make a 10.5 rear end? A friend of mine is gonna give me one but I've never heard of it. Could it be a Dana axle?

[Redcap]

Sterling?

[72hiboy4x4]

I have a Sterling 10.25 axle in my 1 ton truck.
I've heard it is comparable in strength to the Corp. 14 bolt or a Dana 70.

[AustinTom]

It's coming out of a 91 f-250 and is full floating. I'm thinkin about swapping it under my 69. How does it compare to Dana 70? Is it worth doin?

[72hiboy4x4]

under a 1/2 ton? not worth the trouble. and IIRC, its quite a bit larger pumpkin than the 9" you have. If you need more strength, get a Dana 60 under there, and another spare to match the different bolt pattern.

As I said, I've heard its comparable in strength to a D-70.
I have a D-70 under my '72, and the Sterling is under my '88, both with 4.10 gearing. I've never had a problem with either, but I don't use them too hard either.

pirate4x4.com tech (i think) has a writeup on the differences.

[AustinTom]

I have been planning on putting a Dana 60 under it for a while but haven't been able to afford it. This is free. Is it the same bolt pattern as a bump 250? I'm thinkin I'm goin to convert my front end at the same time as well.

[72hiboy4x4]

'91 is the same pattern as the bump's. They changed to metric on '97 (??)
why do you want to change to a heavier axle? It won't change your weight capacity any, you'll still have 1/2 ton frame and suspension. Or are you going to change all the springs at the same time? That'll solve one of the weak spots.
The 9" will carry a heck of a lot of weight, probably more than the truck can handle.
But if you were closer, I'd give you a D-60 I have under a trailer I built.

Oh the frame is wider on the '91 so the leaf spring hangers will have to cut off and re-located. Possibly the yolk is different also. Spring widths for new U-joints? Maybe. IMO, thats a lot of work for no payoff in the long run.

[AustinTom]

Well the plan is to box the frame get new springs and the axle. My buddy wrecked his truck the other day and I'm gettin the zf5 and rearend. I'm still thinkin whether or not I want the 7.3 Powerstroke.

[boots]

Sterling 10.25 is a strong rear end... If your going to swap in the 1 ton springs, and can weld new perches on it then I dont see why not.