Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

Yeah thats why I built my own axles. I can buy a pro-rock 60 or build almost the same thing for half the cost. These would have been alot more to buy.

I do wish I had ORI's though

 

Well you can always swap those in later if need be

 

New rear shackle from marsfab offroad

Also had a ubolt plate cut out


Flexed the susp out a lil and it will be flexy, now I need to get some parts.

 

That shackle material looks pretty thin.

 

Boom. Just add lock-outs

 

They are 1/4", bigger than what was on there, plus they were free If they bend I'll get some 3/8" or 1/2" cut out.

 

Don't drink and post

Is there any reason I shouldn't go with a D60 rear instead of a 14 bolt? Seems they're easier to find around here for some reason, and I assume more parts would be interchangeable with the front. (bearings, seals, gears, etc.?)

Would I get more clearance out of a shaved D60 rear as opposed to a shaved 14 bolt?

 

60 is alot better on clearance than 14B. If you build the 60 with 35 spline then the shafts are basically the same size too. The only thing the 14B ends up ahead on is the ring gear size.

Its all whats avaiable and what you wanna spend. I found a D60 Rear just converted to disc brakes, with an LSD and 4.56 gears for $250. Thats a pretty good starting point for a decent axle.

I sold the tracloc for $100, replaced it with an ARB, bored the spindles, put 35 spline chromos in it, and a drive flange to replace the yoke. I dont think I will have to worry about it breaking.

 

14b

beef 1.5 30 spline FF shafts stock
beef 10.5 ring gear
pinion support bearing and massive pinion
massive carrier
beef housing and .5 thick axle tubes
easier to set up gears

For my cruiser stronger is better so that's the mentality I'm going into this with. For you, maybe you'd rather have almost as strong and a little more clearance. Or maybe price.

Just saying...

 

Don't forget the Dana 70, for some light weight and running under 40s a 60 would be the better choice.

 

Also one thing to note is the 14 bolt only has gears as low as 5.38. Dana axle gears can go stupid low, lower than 6.17's I believe.

 

Why the hell would you want anything that low. Yikes at pinion.

 

6.17 is somewhat commonish, they make 7.17s as well. I think they were made for forklifts and other machinery, remember not all Dana/Spicer product are under a truck or jeep.

 

5.38s is what the 'plan' is.

 

Ok people. For 1 tons, what axles are desirable? My dad has a 3500 dually axle in the back of his truck right now. He recycles scrap metal and takes away axles often. I can probably get my axles for free.

What am I looking for?
What truck will these axles be found in?
If there's no truck....how do I know I have the axles I want?

 

Any front Dana 60 unless it's a dodge cad axle is worth saving. The cad are not worth the time to sell and bring less than your normal ball joint or king pin axle. Any rear ff 8 lug axle is worth saving as well. If you see any 8.8 or dana 44 rears or non-cad dana 30 fronts they are worth keeping to sell. All dana axles will have the number (ie Dana 60 wil have 60) on the diff casting. You can also check the bom number on the axle tube. Easiest way to tell is the diff cover.

 

Redneck got it on the nose but make sure you look for a driver side drop axle, not a passenger side. These will be found in Fords and Dodges. I like Ford axles because most all are high pinion For a rear axle, just pick up a 14 bolt and be done with it

 

Kinda pulled this out of my @$$ today... trying to get a rough idea on how things are gonna fit. Thoughts?



Also, any suggestions on how I could modify/reroute the cat?

 

Hood stack

 

Well for heavy use you're gonna want a king pin axle. You pretty much want a ford KP 60 front. Ball joints aren't bad but yeah don't bother with the dodge, and chevy are all passenger drop. FYI the CAD thing he refers to is a axle disconnect, they have two piece shafts and some goofy vacuum operated actuator IIRC.

For the rear just go 14 bolt, with a mild shave. It's massive but they're real cheap and they're VERY strong stock.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/