The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Rockwell rear axle swap

Looking at going the p30 axle swap from a p30 chassis school bus. The bus has a Rockwell rear axle. Are there any issues with this swap except for the lack of gear ratio options? My 53 with the duals 18" wheels I think will benefit from the p30 swap.
Thanks
Chuck

The lack of gear options would have me looking at a 14 bolt axle instead.
What ratio is it?
I'm also guessing the Rockwell has 10 lug wheels and 8 might be easier for a 1 ton.

What's the overall plan/goal.

Thanks Grigg,
The ultimate goal is daily driver with good brakes and tire available from more than one source. I'm buying the whole bus so I will have the p30 front axle to shorten and swap in. All wheels and tires are included so I'll have 8r19.5 ten lug rims that I know will clear brakes.

I don't know ratio yet but they tell me it runs 65 no proble with a 5.7 v8

I've read all your post on the axles and brakes and the only negative I heard on the Rockwell was the gear selection availability.
I look forward to reading more
Thanks
Chuck

With dual wheels I suppose nothing wrong with the 5/10 lug stuff in a 1 ton and if you like 19.5 tires/wheels as your only available size.
I did a similar swap in my 1 ton back in 04 with a Dana rear axle.

Here is some service info on the 12" Rockewll axle.
http://vintage.mitchell1.com/PClubData/chassis/ent82/V2D829043.pdf

Axle Id info here
http://truckpartsetc.com/sales/PDFs/Leland/Leland_AxleID_006-011.pdf
I'm going to guess it is a Rockwell model c100 or C102.
You might find some parts but they're certianly not as plentiful as the Dana
http://www.canadawideparts.com/downloads/catalogs/meritor_outOfProductionSingleReductionAxles.pdf page 2
If this is the correct model it looks like gear ratios were at one time available for as fast as 3.70 and plenty slower. If not already in the axle you get finding a desirable ratio might be challenging or expensive.


Looking in the parts catalogs it seems the 10 lug Rockwell and Dana axles under the P30 all use the same wheel hubs and pretty safe to assume brakes.

Were I in your shoes that Rockwell better have the exact gears I want. Otherwise even if it were "free" I'd instead go pay money for a Dana I can easily get gears and parts for.

Thanks Grigg, I appreciate the feedback and all of your research into the general topic. Good to have a source of in-depth knowledge on a somewhat obscure topic. I'm sure I'll be asking more when it comes time to shorten the front axle.
Chuck