Axle swaps

[jimmy_stikx]

How hard is it to swap the axles on these trucks with say ones from older chevy's with the same tranny/t-case combination? I ask because unless parts are really readily available at junkyard for the current ones I want something that its fairly easy to find parts for and is easier to drop the diff ratio to something in the 4.10 or slightly higher range.

[Master Yota]

Follow my build up here: http://www.g741.org/PHPBB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2420

I'm installing a Gm Dana 60 and Corporate 14 bolt, as well as a whole bunch of other upgrades...

[k8icu]

In Yota's build is a link to my project where I swap a Danna 44F front and Dana 60 out of an M880 Dodge. The long and short is it's not a direct bolt in you have to do some modifing to make it them fit. The other option is having the axle tubes cut down and shortening the axle shaft which means you need to be able to machine the shafts yourself or send it out to someone to have it done. Not an option I wanted to pursue.

[Master Yota]

In Yota's build is a link to my project where I swap a Danna 44F front and Dana 60 out of an M880 Dodge. The long and short is it's not a direct bolt in you have to do some modifing to make it them fit. The other option is having the axle tubes cut down and shortening the axle shaft which means you need to be able to machine the shafts yourself or send it out to someone to have it done. Not an option I wanted to pursue.

Actually, in hind sight, this is probably the route I should have taken, it would have been alot easier than custom fabbing all the hangers. If you're located in the US, its not a big deal to corespond with many of the axle manufacturer's that are there to get a new custom length shaft made. Moser, Superior Axle, Currie Ent., or Dynatrac are just some of the big name axle builders that come to mind. A single custom shaft isn't nearly as expensive as it used to be, and all thats left is to measure and cut the long side of the axle tube, reweld the knuckle "C" and move the spring perch in (D44 or D60, they are the same width at 69" wide at the WMS).

I wouldn't bother with cutting and resplining a stock shaft, it would cost almost as much as the new shaft. Plus a new shaft would have better forging and metalurgy and would be a strength upgrade in itself. Most custom shafts are either Chromoly, or 1541H alloy steel, so they are an impovement over stock.

[jimmy_stikx]

sorry for the late reply, got back from deployment not to long ago.

Anyways, will chevy 4x4 axles from the same year as the dodge ones (the 60 and 44f) work? I ask because I have slim picking for junk out here in 29 stumps. Might just grab the "newer" tranny and transfer out of the same truck if I can find one.

[Master Yota]

The corporate 14 is almost a bolt in affair for the rear - all thats needed is some clearancing of the spring perches ( the perches are too wide to fit the stock width ubolts). I just ground two notches on either side of the perch until the factory ubolts slid past. Lots of meat on the perches so no worries about loss of strength. As for the front, its been discussed a few posts up.

If your concern is over the Total axle width, the GM D60 front is 69.5 inches wide at the wheel mount, and the stock axle is 72 inches. This is easily handled by playing with rim offset and backspace. The C14 rear is only 67 inches wide, but it seems to have no clearance issues on my truck so far. However this depends alot on the width of tire you plan to run. My 44x18.50 wide tires needed a 1.5" spacer on the front and a 2.5" spacer on the rear to clear everything. My new 1100:16 Michelin's don't require any spacers and clear everything nicely. On stock Gm steel wheels the tires stick out from the fenders about 3/4's of an inch. Nothing to worry about IMO...

[jimmy_stikx]

Thank you. I'll be on the look out for those axle types.