79 axle housing in a 71 F100

[cdeal28078]

I know it's been talked about but cannot find much in the search.
I have a third member that is 31 spline and a limited slip. Won't fir my 28 spline axles. I've always thought about putting the wider axle housing from the 73-79 F150's in my truck to make the rear track with the front. I think it will look better.
I know I'll have to move the spring mounts and maybe the shock mounts. Is there anything else I am forgetting?
Are ALL 73-79 F150 axles 31 splines? I know I'll need to pull an axle to be positive but I hate to go through the junk yard pulling axles if I don"t have to.
clint

[ForingaMex]

It does look much better. I did the swap because I hate the look of the narrow rear end. You can hide it with different width wheel but I wanted matching wheel all around at the time. As far as mods, you are correct about moving the spring pads. The shock mounts don't need to be moved, at least I didn't have to move mine. One other thing you might want to consider is the emergency brake cables. You might be able to use the cable from the dent, I don't know but I didn't have them so I reused the ones from my bump and they were too short so I had to get creative. As far as your question about axles from dents being 31 spline, I can't help you with that either. Good luck.

[hazelnut]

Clint i dont know if all the 73-79 are 31 splines or not. You can just look at the houseing where the axel bearings are and see it the axel tube stays the same size or not. If it dose its a 31, if it tapers down at the bearing its a 28.

[sargentrs]

One other thing you might want to consider is the emergency brake cables. You might be able to use the cable from the dent, I don't know but I didn't have them so I reused the ones from my bump and they were too short so I had to get creative.

Interesting you should mention that. I couldn't find my E brake extension cables when I went to put them back on so I bought NOS replacements. When I installed them, they were about 2" too long. I have a '70 Sport Custom LWB. Fortunately, I found my old one's shortly after so now I have new ones I can't use.