The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts tandem axle info

Hi All,

I'm new to the site and the big trucks. I've got a 62 GMC 5000 with tandem rear axles. I'm trying to find a source of information dealing with the Rockwell axles. The front shows what I take to be a model number of HHDHDX2 and part number 637263. The rear is HHRHDX1/637264. The Maintenance Manual for 62 makes no mention of Rockwell tandem axles, only the Eaton 28MR/MF. This truck is a NAPCO conversion and I believe that to be the reason for the different axles but I really have nothing to base that on. The NAPCO information that I have only covers single rear axles so I'm stumped for now, just hoping someone out there might have some information. Thanks!

Bob

Ok Bob, You mite have a problem finding info, the 5000 series did not come with tandem axles, my bet is they got installed along with the front drive axle. GMC Tandems started with the W5500 series. You mite want to be looking for a rockwell axle manual.

I just looked in my GMC Manuals for bigger truck and don't see your axles listed in them anywere.

My 1966 Motor Manual doesn't list your axles, but the Rockweel name is in () and they are made by Timken..Maybe you can get the info from Timken..

Happy hunting..

Geoff
49 Chev 4400
59 Apache 32
52 GMC 350

I would think that most any heady duty truck dealer (GMC, Ford, IH, etc.) that has been around for awhile could furnish you with Rockwell product info. Or, do a Internet search for them, they are alive and well.

Rockwell International spun off their automotive business in 1997 as Meritor Automotive, a new publicly traded company independent of the Rockwell International parent company. Meritor merged with Arvin Industries in 2000 to form ArvinMeritor . So when 53moneypit says Rockwell is alive and well, they are, but the automotive business is no longer under the Rockwell name. I don't know for sure that they could help, but I suppose one could try contacting ArvinMeritor for info on Rockwell axles.

BTW, Timken's axle business merged with Standard Steel & Spring in '53 to form Rockwell Spring and Axle, which over the years morphed into Rockwell International. The current Timken company is strictly the bearing and specialty steel businesses.

hay got a photo of your truck? sounds like a cool monster

Thanks for the info guys, I've found some information out there on the Rockwell tandems but not on my specific models yet. Pics of the truck:

http://community.webshots.com/album/227086175ErVbWi

Bob

On the show "Trucks", they did an article about this place that sold and restored military trucks that used the Rockwell axles. Maybe you could look in that shows archives and locate these people. I think they were in Tennessee but wouldn't swear on it.
Scott

Great Truck!

I need one like that...

BobS: Welcome to the Btovebolt Page (maybe you've heard that before). You do have a good lookin' truck, and I hope these greasy shop monsters have given you some guidance about your axles.

There have been so many mergers and purchases in addition just plain name changes for companies making every kind of widget that it can be hard to track down the new monniker for the one you want. Hope the information here helps.

And another thought..maybe you've got a military 6x6
that someone put civilian sheetmetal on??

Geoff
49 4400
59 Apache 32
52 GMC 350

Nope, wrong design to be military. They use the doube-reduction axles with the carrier inserted from the top of the housing. Is there a splice in the frame rails anywhere from a twin-screw rear frame being grafted on?
Jerry

The axles have the Rockwell Standard logo which should make them 1958-1966 vintage, at least that's when the company was called Rockwell Standard. I haven't looked really close but there are no obvious signs of the frame being spliced to make it longer. This truck was originally purchased by a power company and it had the tandem axles at that time. The guy that I spoke to wasn't there when it was purchased but he remembers the truck and when it was replaced by a mid-70s model that was also a 6X6.

One thing I noticed in the pictures is that the lugs are different for the front and rear wheels. It appears the front wheels are 10-bolt, and the rears have the open-center wheels with locking wedges holding them on. That would be VERY unusual for any kind of factory job, even a NAPCO. You'll probably have to find a heavy truck shop or parts supplier that can research the axles by the part numbers.
Jerry