'89 F250 4WD ... HD or Standard front suspension?

[MontanaMan]

Hey ... I've got an '89 F250 4WD ... how can I tell if it's a heavy or standard front suspension? A link to some pics would help a lot, but a description would be good too. Sorry ... I don't have any pics of it. Thanks!!

[RayD]

The best way I know to tell the difference between the light and heavy duty is by the axles. The heavy duty will have a full floating rear end and a Dana 50 twin traction beam front end. A light duty will have the semi float rear end (no protruding hub and axle flange) and a Dana 44HD ttb front. The Dana 50 front uses one ton lock outs, 44 uses half ton lock outs...what else.....the Dana 50 hub is the same size as the center hole in your wheels, the Dana 44 necks down. That's all I can think of right now, hope that answers your question.

[MontanaMan]

RayD ... thanks for responding ...

The sticker on the door post says GVWR: 8600 Lbs.

Is that for a heavy duty suspension?

Thanks for helping ... this is my first ford truck.

[minimonster17]

would you care to post pics of your axles, and we would be able to tell you for certain.

[RayD]

Yep, 8600 GVWR is the heavy duty. I forgot, THAT is the easiest way to tell.

[GTRider245]

Other than the lock outs, the D50 has a beefier stub shaft that the D44. It is a common upgrade to swap into the D44.