Solid Axle Conversion Tech

[RedFireZ71]

Another question, say I were to source both the axles and transfer case from one vehicle... I know I'd need to rebuild the axles, but what about the transfer case? Is the 205 the best?

[96chevysfa]

i got both my axles from a 1990 k30, matching sets, ahd hopers rebuild and i installed. im also running a rebuilt 205 case, id get it all rebuilt if i were u, but u may get lucky and get a set of axles from a m1008, which has a d60 front, 14b rear, detroit in rear, and some have l/s in front, both running 4.56 gears, these are difficult tog et a good deal on but their usually in much better shape than other k30's. the 205 u can get out of some blazers, and most k30's(non military), and some pickups.

[RedFireZ71]

Is an m1008 a military vehicle? What is hopers?

[RedFireZ71]

Originally posted by CarmineZ71
Is an m1008 a military vehicle?

Certainly is:

m1008 is a pickup



m1009 is a Blazer



I think I can write these off right now. They're probably as rare (or rarer) as left-handed, high-pinion Dana 60s. Junkyards in SoCal are plentiful though... I don't remember there being a lot of K30s, however.

[96chevysfa]

hoopers, is where i can all m y diff work done, elegalchevy just had some work done there also. im sure u can find a m1008, ther alot of old military surplus yards around, the only problem with the m1008 is that they use a np208(i had one of those cases, and hated it) it has a lower low range than the 205 but the 205 is just soo much more superior.

[95gmcd6014]

did the 208 give you problems?

[Aquaman]

If you want an M1008, or a M1009, then go on Ebaymotors.com and do a search for a CUCV. They are the same thing. Probably around $2,000. But you will find them much cheaper in a junk yard if you can find them.

So I guess the main question I have is wether it's better to look for the rare, high-pinion Ford Dana 60 or settle for a 73-89 axle and swap for a right hand transfer case (205-208?). Either way it sounds like you lose ABS and Autotrac.

You can get the Chevy axle out of a 73-91 truck, and some earlier trucks had a really strong D44. And who cares about Autotrac? It won't work right with lockers really anyway, I wouldn't think.

Anyway... the best thing to do is get a donor rig. It will save you a lot of money, and make it a lot easier to know what you are doing.

If you make your own brackets (don't buy ORU), then make them 3" wide. This way you can use the aftermarket Chevy springs. They are 3" wide stock, and 2.5" wide aftermarket. The bushings will make up for it. Also, if you want to run a Dodge axle, all you'd need to do is send your bushings to A-tron, and they will offset them for you.

I don't know why nobody ever talks about using Dodge Axles .

[Castle Killer]

Some guy on pavementsucks thinks that the Dodge 241 might fit Chevys, he doesn't know the spline count though.

Also, 1500 Dodges have the CAD system, I honestly don't know much about it but most don't seem to like it. I don't know if HDs have it though. This could be a downside.

If you were to swap a Dodge D60, you could also swap a D70 for the rear, that way you'd have the same width and bolt pattern. I think that D70s are comparable to FF14-bolts in strength, but the aforementioned might be an advantage. D80s come out of dualies, so they might have a different width.

[95gmcd6014]

I think aquaman was talking about the old dana 60 front axle Dodge used. Its about the same as a chevy 60 except the spring pad width is about .5" difference. You dont even need offset bushings because you can just build the brackets to any width. The dodge 241 and chevy are very close and if anything is different it is probably the input splines. The HD dodges also come with that system but there is companys that build kits to replace it and use standard locking hubs. most of those older 3/4 ton and 1 ton Dodges had the D60/70 combo which is a great combo to use.

[ELEGALCHEV]

i want to go SFA now

[Castle Killer]

If anyone is considering the Dodge axles, make sure you don't get those from a 1994-1995 (I believe that these are the only years) 2500 LD. They come with 8-lug D44s and 9.25s.

[Aquaman]

I am speaking of the old Dodge D60's, such as this one...


And D70's aren't quite as strong as 14FF, but they are still extremely strong, and they have a lower potential gear ratio (meaning that it doesn't stop at 5.13 like the 14FF does)

[RedFireZ71]

About the Ford D60s... So the only difference between the 78-79 and 86-91 axles are the spring pad width? Wouldn't I have to have them moved anyway?

[95gmcd6014]

Originally posted by CarmineZ71
About the Ford D60s... So the only difference between the 78-79 and 86-91 axles are the spring pad width? Wouldn't I have to have them moved anyway?

No the spring pads don't have to be moved and cant really be moved easily on the front ends because one of the spring pads is cast into the housing. You don't have to move them because the brackets are built for the specific spring pad width. ORU has kits for the 78-79 (32.5" center to center) and for the 86-97(36.5" center to center). I wouldnt say that the spring pad width is the only difference but it is one of the major differences. Things like rotors,calipers, etc... might not interchange but im not 100% sure on that.

[RedFireZ71]

Originally posted by 95gmcd6014


...

So which one do you have?

[95gmcd6014]

Ive got a 97 F-350 dana 60

[RedFireZ71]

stock transfer case?

[95gmcd6014]

yup, floor shifted np241.

[slamchops]

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/flatop_knucles.html - everything you will ever want to know about the D44 knuckles. which ones work and which ones dont.

[Castle Killer]

Not to get anyones hopes up, but someone on pavementsucks did such a conversion on his 1999 F-350 dualie.
He said it was a direct bolt-in with about 5 hours of work. I believe the 99s have a different 4x4 system than later years.
Supposedly the hardest part was removing the upper coil mounts, and the transmission has to be modified.
He brought the whole frontend from a junkyard, and it literally bolted on.


This might not help anyone here, but it could be interesting reading.
http://pavementsucks.com/forums/view...14622&forum=12


Have a good summer, ya'll.