I'd like to piggyback on to this post with a question about a 14 bolt. I recently purchased a '57 GMC one ton panel. It has a non-original Dana 60 4.10 that is a little too wide. It measures 65.5" wms-wms. I put 255/85R16 tires on 16x7 eight lug rims that are about 1" wider than the stock 17.5" bias plies. The tires are too close to the wheel well lip for my comfort.
I measured a spare Eaton HO52 that I have. It measures about 62.5" wms-wms. I know the Eatons were on Chevy's and Spicers were on GMC's, but the width should have been the same.
The extra 1.5" width of the axle on each side plus the extra 1" from the tires has pushed the outer edge of the tires out almost too far for the wheel wells. There is plenty of room inside the wheel wells. I'll be good if I can install a rear end the same width as the Eaton because I'll pick up 1.5" on each side.
I found a 14 bolt 3.73 posi at a local yard off a '94 3/4 ton Suburban. It is 65.5" wide, so it would give me the same problem as the existing Dana 60.
I want to stay with 8 lug rims and a full float rear end, so I don't want to swap out for a 1/2 ton rear end.
I need a narrower axle. I can easily install my spare 4.10 Eaton, but I really want taller gears. I don't want to narrow the existing Dana 60. Does anyone know if a version of the 14 bolt was available in about a 62.5" wms-wms width similar to the Eaton?
Thanks,
Matt
