10.25 ford-sterling axle

[mikie2084]

Wanting to find information on the 10.25 Ford axle so if you guys have any sites or info to share please respond. What I know about the axle is:
- 10.25" ring gear
- 1.5" diam. shafts
- believe they have 31 spline axles?
- actually made by sterling for fords med. duty trucks
- found in 1983 - up F-250, F-250HD, some F-350's

Now some of the questions I have about them is how can I tell if the axle is semi float or full? How does it compare to a D-60 and 70 strength wise? Will a 10.25 hold up pulling a sled? Is a 91 10.25 with 4.10's worth $300?

thanks

mike

 

[Ed A. Stevens]

This is a good tech question for the newbie & general 4x4 forums on Pirate4x4.com (they have some smart Ford axle guys).

The true 10.25 is full float.

The case & cover is shared with the 10.25FF, the 10.5FF, and the 9.75SF (learn the difference).

The spline count is 34 (9.75) or ??? (the others). The ground clearance is better than a 14 bolt or D60.

It's equal in strength to (some believe better than) a 30 spline D60FF.

The narrow dualie FF disc brake versions are popular for swaps (and some are trying the SF with discs). I have not read a report of strength problems. The rim bolt patterns are not standard (some are metric, check before buying).

The 10.25's were prone to pinion bearing oiling problems (spec's and fill plug ~1/2 qt too low for long term reliability, over fill to remedy).

The gear set ratios were limited to 4:56, but I understand 4:88 and lower sets are being released soon (if not already out).

$300 for an anchor is up to you, but it's better than a 8.8 anchor or a D44 anchor as far as strength goes.

 

[offroadman83]

They make all the way to 5.13s now. They are a pretty beefy axle. Really comparable to a 14 bolt, but not quite as strong IMO. I would run one if I had it and was a making a offroad only vehicle.------Kyle

 

[mikie2084]

So the 10.25 is more comparable to a 60 than a 70?

Thanks for the info guys.

mike

 

[Ludakris]

if its for a sled, then what about the newer Super Duty axles? D80, D135?

 

[mikie2084]

Haven't really thought about those axles yet. But probably a lot more expensive and harder to get than the 10.25. I am still trying to figure the full floater and semi out, is this right? If the axle is from a F250 with a GVWR of 8,600lbs or less its SF, over 8,600lbs its FF.(guessing that would be the F-250HD)

thanks

mike