Front Axle Question

I'm going to post this here rather than on the Econoline page with the hopes of getting the best response. Moderaters please feel free to move this if I've committed a faux pas.

I have a '64 Econoline that the previous owner installed a front drop axle in. The road clearance is only about 2 1/2 inches and because of that, and some other issues, I'm seriously considering restoring it to a stock set up.

How hard is it to locate one? Is it something unique to the Econolines? The springs seemed to have been relocated inward a bit so I'm not even sure these are the originals and would probably want to get the whole assembly. I don't know of any junkyards around here that have an early Ford (but I haven't checked for sure yet).
Any idea of what price range I might be looking at? (I know that's a hard question, but just a ballpark estimate would be helpful.) Is this going to be a major undertaking? Haven't attempted something like this before.
Thanks,
Jeff

Hello Southern Man,

I'm not an Econo guy, but can keep my eyes peeled for them while parts hunting.

So the question is, where are you? Because it wont do you any good for me to find parts in DFW area if your not in the DFW area.

Thanks for the tips. I am in South Carolina, and I realize that shipping might drive the price up quite a bit for something that large and heavy. Just trying to examine all my options.

Just thinking out loud - You might consider trying to find a donor truck. You not get to see if the springs are OK, but you also get the reference points and a bunch of extra parts and scrap that may make it worth your while.

I know Tim hooks up a trailer and goes to the van shows with lots of parts. You might be able to save some in shipping that way.