Solid Axle Conversion Tech

[bggrnchvy]

All the new Ford axles have balljoints(which suck) and a wider spring pad width which is bad for turning(with big tires, they actually rub the springs). This is why Ford 78-79 axles are popular and expensive.

The NP205 is a much stronger case as it is an iron housing and is gear driven, the downsides are that is doesn't take shock load as well(gear driven) and weighs a lot(iron case). It also lacks a VSS unit and has a high low range of 2.0:1

The NP241 is a lighter case as it is made form aluminum and is chain driven. This resists shock loads better but doesn't take progressive torque as well as gears. It weighs a lot less and has a VSS unit. The low range is a relatively depp 2.72:1.

[Eric Guidry]

99 & up super dutys have unit bearing hubs also!

[playboy]

do you guys think it would be cheaper to buy a chevy dana 60 and a NP205 or to go a ford dana 60 with the stock t/c? I would rather keep it all chevy but if it is alot cheaper and easier ill go ford. Ive found 78-79 ford 60's very expensive but the chevy arnt so much. What do you guys think?

Also to put in the NP205 would it just be all bolt in to my stock tranny?

[bggrnchvy]

I found it cheaper to get a Chevy 60 and a new t-case.

[playboy]

is the NP205 direct bolt onto your existing tranny? Or is there an adapter?

[bggrnchvy]

You could get a 27 spline T-case. I went and got a passenger drop NP241 as it has VSS.

[lukc22]

Hey bggrnchvy ... If I went the chevy d60 route, can you give me a list of what parts I would need?? it sounds like going chevy parts would be easier and cheaper ...
Thanks man

[heavychevy]

if yopu get a 205 that was out of a 91 one ton it has vss plug but is 32 spline , you would have to change input shafts unless you have a 5 speed , it is the only 205 that will bolt uo to your adapter since it has a circle 6 bolt pattern , you could prolly use older 205s but would have to convert the cable speedo and redrill and tap the case for proper bolt up , i personally would go the ford dana60 i find both all the time and i havnt seen the fords to be much higher than the chevys they are all around 1000 bucks , with the ford you wouldnt have to cut in another shifter in the floor and you wouldnt have to worry about changing t cases

[bggrnchvy]

Im getting a complete Chevy D60 for $600(has been beadblasted) where as the Ford 78-79 D60's are $1000-1500 complete. Seeing as how I also got a rebuilt t-case for $300, Im still below the cost of a Ford unit.

[heavychevy]

well you saved 100 bucks and most gm dana60s are 800-1000 so you got a good deal , 100 bucks still isnt worth not having high pinion in case lots of lift is going under the truck , it isnt worth the extra time changing t cases since niether of the 2 cases is stronger than the other , its not worth the extra work it will take for shift linkage since stock unit are on the wrong side of the cab if a gm case is used so most likely you will have either a hole in the floor where the old shifter was or you will have 2 shifters in the floor , if gm stuff is all i could find i would definatly go for it but it is definatly not cheaper , if anything after all the small stuff and time is added up it would actually cost more but either way anyone decides to go is a good rout and well worth it after its done

[bggrnchvy]

Reason I went this route: I have a pushbutton T-case, needed a floor shifter.l I wasn't paying the extra money to have a new t-case and still pay the extra money for a 78-79 housing. In other words I saved myself $400+(t-case and housing) and I only will have one hole in the floor. Im going with 8" of lift and the LP shouldn't be a problem. The buttons for 4wd now will become a spot to mount my ARB switches. There are reasons for everything my man, reasons for everythnig. Don't assume.

[heavychevy]

im not assuming nothing my man , for most every person out there that will be doing a sas the ford axle is cheaper , maybe not for you but for most everybody else , there are variables to everything out there but i am stating this for all the other people out there that will be reading this thread and you sound like you know what you are talking about so i think even you know for most everybody going the gm rout is not cheaper , that is what i was trying to get across not sigleing anyone out and if it came across that way im sorry

[lukc22]

I really havent found out what happends to the 4x4 buttons once I put in a np205 or a np241 ... I know that 1 is for and another is chevy, I know that my autotrac is gone ... I am just wondering how it all works... sorry if I sound dumb on this but I am just trying to learn ...
Thanks guys

[lukc22]

1 more quesion ... what does reverse rotation mean for a front axle??? I have seen this several places ... what is the benefit from this?? thanx again

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally Posted by lukc22

1 more quesion ... what does reverse rotation mean for a front axle??? I have seen this several places ... what is the benefit from this?? thanx again

its a gear cut for high pinon axles...

and no it doesnt mean u go in reverse...

there are 2 sides of a gear, the drive side, and reverse side... if u put standard gears in a HP axle when going in foward all the pressure would be placed on the back side of the gear (reverse) which isnt as strong. this is why they use reverse cut gearing for HP axles...

[lukc22]

Thanx luke ... what about the 4x4 question... do you know how I will use my 4x4 after doing this swap? Do I have to cut a hole in the floor for a shifter or what?

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally Posted by lukc22

I really havent found out what happends to the 4x4 buttons once I put in a np205 or a np241 ... I know that 1 is for and another is chevy, I know that my autotrac is gone ... I am just wondering how it all works... sorry if I sound dumb on this but I am just trying to learn ...
Thanks guys

use a 243 (which i think uses push button, from the obs without autorac)

If worst comes to worst, remove your sotck buttons, put that 2wd filler in there... then mount the old style buttons in the console or somthing....

I know i really didnt want a floor shifter cause i love my console... and want to keep it.

You could still use the others and go with a cable style shifter instead. up to you man

[lukc22]

ok cool ... so a 243 is a t-case from an older chevy with push button 4wd but not autotrac so it wont burn up ... am i getting this correct?? thanx man ... I wouldnt care about a floor shifter other than I have a center console and would be a pain .... I am looking for all the advice I can get here so if anyone else wants to give opinion feel free

[lukc22]

can anyone tell me what this might mean "the only problem is the stud on the shaft that holds the shifter linkage arm on broke when I tried to remove it" ... its describing an np241 that I am looking at ...

[bggrnchvy]

Probably means the stud that bolts into the arm that controls the shifter selection, broke off. Most obvious solution would be drill it out. Not sure though, might want to get pictures before you buy.

HeavyChevy, I hear you. I thought you were trying to explain to me my situation. In many cases if you want to keep the push button or have a lever shift already the Ford route might very well be cheaper. The D60 I got is from a guy I know that cancelled plans to build a rock buggy(decided one truggy was good enough) and had this one laying around. In general you are correct sir.