Scott,
My '55 first was reasonably well-cared for...it was a one-owner truck prior to my acquiring it...belonged to a local builder...
It has what I presume to be 131,000 miles on it...
We knocked the front-end down because the front wheels were floppy, presuming bad king-pins...
Our first surprise was when the king pins amost flew right out on the first tap of the hammer...no pounding, no heat...
Once everything was off the truck, we discovered that the truck had been given a new set of king-pins shortly before it was retired, and the new pins were snug in the knuckles... the slop was from the pins themselves rocking in the bores of the axle itself.
A little research provided part numbers for the stock size kit, plus .010" and .020" oversize kits (requiring reaming of the axle).
When I tried to get an oversize set, I found from just about all the suppliers that the oversizes were depleted years ago...the standard size is the only one still available.
That said, we had a local machinist make up a pin and bushing set for us, .020" -over.
I was shocked to find that this is the same pin set for 3/4, 1 ton , AND the 1.5 ton...
There's a vast difference in the amount of "unsprung weight" those pins are supporting between a 3/4-ton with 15" split rims and a 4400 series with 14" brakes, heavy cast hub adapters and 20" wheels...that's why I'm suggesting that this axle is a little light for my particular application...
It may have been acceptable for the trucks with the 8-lug 18" & 19.5" wheels...
Both of my '41-47 big trucks have a heavier axle and knuckle set-up, with the bolt-on cap over the wheel bearing and bolt-on covers over the king-pin.
The first King pin set I got from Jim Carter was for the BIG truck...too big for my axle...
If your 4400 axle is working for you, then I guess you won't be worrying about an axle-swap...
I will run the stock axle for now...but I think I will keep my eyes open for a 6400 being parted, and grab the axle if one becomes available...
Thanks for all the replies guys !
