The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Might be selling tandem axle dual speed rears...how much?

Ok for those who didn't see my other thread:

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000290

Basically, I bought a '58/59 Chevy Spartan 100. In discussing options for the truck, my friend and I decided that we want to make a big flatbed or wrecker out of it (possibly a flatbed with a hidden wheel lift). We're looking at a 6.5 GM MFI diesel (should bolt right in) and eventually greaseling it (woohoo...free fuel!)

That said, the truck will probably see frequent highway cruising and I'm considering selling one of the rear ends...really this is isn't solid and I don't want to hack the truck up, but I really *don't* need tandem rear axles...the heaviest thing this truck will see on the back is maybe a 3/4 ton light duty pickup truck and if I am understanding correctly, a single rear axle should have no problems at all with that.

So, if I pulled one of the rear axles, how much would I get for it?

Some different things would play into it's value.
Is the axle a tag axle,just designed to help carry weight or is it part of a twin screw where both axles can be locked in to provide traction in slippery conditions. Or maybe an older system like Spanky had called Tructor which was chain driven second axle. The ultimate price will be how much someone thinks they need it

You might do better selling the two as a set if they are both drivers.

No one wants just the front of the pair, unless they need to replace a front. The output shaft is the problem.

Also look at the suspension arrangement. You're going to be building new spring mounts and finding new springs because a single axle mounts much differently than a tandem setup.

Does your truck have the "Walking Beam" suspension and the Power Divider? I missed reading about this truck being a Tamdem Axle.

It might be easier to find a single axle truck with a 2-speed rear and move your good parts over. You could build a running rolling chassis before you ever start swapping parts.

I've got a '57 6500 with a 2-speed rear (bad sheet metal, but a good chassis).

Send pictures...

Mike

Right now its looking like I'll be picking up the truck over my spring break (Mar 12-18th). I'll be posting more pics at that time.

Mike B, where are you located?

Kris, I live in Southern Maryland, about 1 hour SE of Washington, DC.

Mike

If it's a dual-drive twin axle setup, pulling just one axle isn't going to be practical. the front axle has a "power divider" that splits the torque from front to rear, and can't work independently of the rear axle. The rear won't be heavy-duty enough to pull the truck by itself. You'd need to remove both axles, and replace them with a single-screw setup, plus rework the entire rear suspension and driveshaft system. You'd be better off buying a single rear axle truck, both from a reliability and a cost standpoint.
Jerry