Solid Axle Conversion Tech

[snailrail]

I have a dana44 front axle. I bought a passenger flat top knuckle and a steering arm from foothill offroad.

foothilloffroad

I also bought a drop pitman arm for a late model Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4. The arm is really easy to come by, my friend just happened to have one. I took the steering arm and the pitman arm to the local autoparts store, and went through boxs till I found two tie rods, a left and a right handed thread, that would fit properly. I actually made my draglink. I used 1.5" solid bar stock. Then tapped a hole in each end for the tie rod threads. I may have had a total of $400 in it. The draglink is probably the hardest part, just because you can't easily mail order it. Any machine shop could do it for you. I bribed a guy with some beer!

[6Point2]

I'm currently in the process of converting a 2WD version of Snailrail's rig into 4WD using the SAS kit from ORU, 4" lift Tuff Country springs, and the 1" lift Zero-rate Add-A-Leaves from Off Road Design. The rear will have the ORD shackle flip combined with a set of custom springs made by Alcan Spring. The front axle is a HP60 out of a '79 F350, the transfercase is a Doubler(GM NP203 to Ford NP205) from ORD, the rear axle is a FF 14 Bolt out of a '97 Chevy K3500. I'll get some pics up of it when its done.

[71 CREWCAB]

How wide is a chevy dana 60 or 44 front? Im trying to get parts rounded up and found a nice dana 80 rear at the salvage yard out of a dodge dually but it measures at about 74 inches hub to hub. Im thinking that it will be too wide to match the front.

[95gmcd6014]

chevy 60 is right around 69" WM-WM. Pretty sure the 44 is close, maybe 1-2" narrower depending on the years an if they are 6 or 8 lug.

[Castle Killer]

heavychevy, what year did your Dodge D60 come out of?

[Triple X Rated]

Originally posted by 6Point2
I'm currently in the process of converting a 2WD version of Snailrail's rig into 4WD using the SAS kit from ORU, 4" lift Tuff Country springs, and the 1" lift Zero-rate Add-A-Leaves from Off Road Design. The rear will have the ORD shackle flip combined with a set of custom springs made by Alcan Spring. The front axle is a HP60 out of a '79 F350, the transfercase is a Doubler(GM NP203 to Ford NP205) from ORD, the rear axle is a FF 14 Bolt out of a '97 Chevy K3500. I'll get some pics up of it when its done.

Take pics of the parts. I want to see the build up

[Smith]

If i was to take a 79 chevy dana 60 front and a 14 b ff rear along with the T-case how much harder would this be to do when compared to takeing a ford front dana 60? What im worried about is there any crossmembers that would need to be cut for the front driveshaft or what? also how would i make the 14bff rear froma 79 work on my 90?

[Hot Rod]

I have heard some people say that you can reuse a bracket off of a _____? for the spring mounts? Does anyone know what bracket and how well they work? Also, do I have to change my pitman arm or can I run the stock one(91GMC 1 ton 4x4)? Thanks,

Tyler


By the way. I have a 6 lug Dana 44 with drivers pumkin I will trade for an 8 lug drivers pumkin axle if anyone is interested.

[Triple X Rated]

It would be less shipping $$ if you just traded hubs.

[1998chevy1500]

stupid question. I have a 1998 chevy with the push button 4wd. Just for curositys sake would I have to swap in a different t-case or would this work. It is not autotrac (I think) cause I can hand turn the front driveshaft when in 2wd.

thankx
conrad

[Triple X Rated]

Originally posted by 1998chevy1500
stupid question. I have a 1998 chevy with the push button 4wd. Just for curositys sake would I have to swap in a different t-case or would this work. It is not autotrac (I think) cause I can hand turn the front driveshaft when in 2wd.

thankx
conrad

You're fine.

[1998chevy1500]

Another question for the sake of curisoty. What it my transfer case (np205,241..?). I have a 1998 chevy with the push button 4wd.

thankx
conrad

[97k1500]

Originally posted by 96chevysfa

dude, i thought i was the only one that thinks you need one, i asked a few guys and they did not believe i needed one untill i showed them ho much lateral movement my axle had when i steered. ill have one on my truck soon though, something easily detachable.

hello all! i am a new member to this site. i would really like to e-mail some of you guys on straight axle tech, but i cant figure out how to use this site!!!! i am fuming right now because i cant figure it out!! when i try it says i need 5 posts to e-mail? how do i obtain them? i tried to add my picture to my profile but i cant!! what the hell is an avatar anyway? i tried to follow the sites directions but i keep going in circles & have to go get another beer to cool off! i am now out of beer. any help or info would greatly be appreciated!! thanks everyone. 97k1500

[EBMoffroad]

You can pm

[JB]

Originally posted by 1998chevy1500
Another question for the sake of curisoty. What it my transfer case (np205,241..?). I have a 1998 chevy with the push button 4wd.

thankx
conrad

241

Crawl under your truck and look for a tag on the back, it will tell you which model.

[slacker]

i have a 4wd '78 F250 i can get my hands on, would this be the right axles to use for my sub?

[DarkEternal]

it depends if its the higher gvw one. Technically it will work weather itsa d44 or 60, but if you ever plan on wheeling it you want the 60. Just check if its got a 44 or a 60 up front. I would use a 14 bolt for the rear.

Heres my progess (writeup)
http://homepage.mac.com/darketernal/SAS.html

[EBMoffroad]

Even if it is the 44 you can still build them pretty strong with 8 lug outer and a 14 bolt in the rear. You have to wheel pretty hard to brake a built a 44. If it is a 60 then your in luck.

[Smith]

Hey what do i need to do as far as brake lines are concerned? DO i order extend brakelines for a chevy or for a ford since the axle is a ford?

[DarkEternal]

You will probably need custom made ones.