The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rear Axles

Does anyone know of an 8-lug axle (full-floating preferred) that is close to the proper width for a '54 1-ton? I'd like to upgrade my Deluxe Panel with something newer, like a Dana 60 or a GM 14-bolt, so that I can have an easier time finding parts and add a limited-slip differential. Everything that I have seen at the boneyard has been around 1 foot too wide.

I was working on this for my 3/4 ton, but got side-tracked. If you go with a modern 16" wheel, the setback on the wheel is about 2" deeper than stock on these old trucks. I can't recall the numbers right now, but a 14 bolt full floater out of a 3/4 ton pickup combined with the newer wheels should come out about an inch to wide for the pickup with the axle moved back 1 to 1-1/2 inches. I need to get back and check, but the man I was talking with thought we could swap around brake drums and find a solution. Also, the 12 bolt rear was a bit narrower. I checked a late model van, the differential was even wider. I don't know if there is a difference in width between your panel and a pickup. Also, I was told that the newer trucks have a 3.42 gear instead of the 3.73 that was common in the late 80's.

When I measured my axle, it was about 62" between the wheel mounting surfaces. Most of the axles that I was seeing the in the boneyard (mostly late 70s-80s vintage) measured in around 65"-72".

I have a set of older Fjord 16" 8-lug wheels that I plan to run, they can be adapted easily to use the original hubcaps.

It seems like it would be much easier to widen the fenders on a pickup to accept a wider track width, the panel body sticks way out over the fenders, so flaring them would look rather bizzare. I'm trying to keep the look mostly original.

The rest of the plan, at this time, is to find a Dana 44 front axle from a '72 or later IH Scout II, it is almost exactly the same width as the original front axle. GM used the Dana 44 front on some 3/4 ton trucks, so there are parts that can be used to easily convert the Scout's 5-lug axle to 8-lug.

Foud ,Dog-ed and Jeep have used dana 44 axles too.
.
You might look for a dana 60 out of a Jeep.Some used 3:43 gears. They may be narrow enough too if you look at the jeep trucks which do not have the factory fendr flares.(known as the narrow track)

Yeah, I know that everyone has used the D44. The Scout II seems like a perfect swap, though, because it is already around 58.5", which is the same track width as the front axle on my panel. Looks like a good way to get four wheel drive and not look bizzare.

I hadn't known that any Jeeps used the D60 from the factory. I'll have to look into that.

Yes, Jeep J-20 pick-ups.I just traded one off.Dana 60 rear and Dana 44 front

Mechaniac, would you have any measurements on those axles, by any chance? I've looked around online, but haven't found anything.

Try this

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/facts/axles/axle.htm

Wow, I've never seen that page before. Lots of quality info! And it says that the J-20 rear axle was 61" - that should work perfectly.

I know, I am kicking myself for letting it go but times at present dictate what and where I can keep the endless line of things that come my way.
.
Sometimes a person can type in the simplest things and get great results.I just typed in 79 Jeep axle width

Hey Mech, you should REALLY get that page posted in the "Stovebolt Links" section...

ANY OF YOU BIG ADMIN TYPES LISTENING? 'DIS IS VALUABLE INFO!!

Wannabe

get a GM 14 bolt out of a factory 1 ton flat bed
the flat bed's axles are more narrow than
the axles out of trucks whith a box

also we changed a 14 bolt into are 71 chevy 3/4 ton and the stock axle was the same as a 53 3/4 ton the only diffrence was that the backing plates
and spring perches were turnd up side down becauseof the under slung springes and it had slightle narrower brake drums so the 14bolt
should work whith a set of narrower brake drums
and some inset wheels

According to the Kook, that Eaton-style axle was used until '72. The problem being, parts aren't that easy to come by these days. That's why I'm looking for a Dana 60 or a 14-bolt. Easier (and cheaper) to find parts, lots of rear gear choices, and limited-slip differentials available.

I'll have to check out that factory flatbed idea. On a panel truck, the fenders are fairly close to the outside of the tires, so I can't go much wider than the 62" of the stock axle.

One problem with the one ton axle, they didn't use centering (tapered) lug nuts on some of them, which allowed the wheels to cut into the studs. Some that I have seen were worn halfway into the stud.

Those type of wheels that fit (correctly in that application should be "hub piloted" wheels.Hub piloted means that the center of the wheel fits tightly on the hub.

GMC it does not have to be a flatbed the rearends out of cab/chassis trucks were narrower than pickups so you may not find a flatatbed but any c/c rearend should work or you may check for a step van

GMCpanel: You probably know this, but the front and rear differentials have to have matched gears, I think. The jeep J-20 idea is a good one that I looked into, a little, when I was considering doing a 4x4 conversion on my '50 GMC 1/2 ton panel... Now, I have two 4x4 rigs, and think I'll stay with 2wd on the panel...

Andy, have you looked at coach-franks` truck? It looks nearly stock if you do not look at the front hubs

Yes, on a 4wd both front and rear differentials need to have the same ratio (within a tiny bit of variation - a 4.10 and a 4.09 would work together). That is among the many reasons why I want to find something more modern for my rear axle - there aren't that many gear options for that ancient Eaton-style axle, and no limited slip options except for a Detroit Locker that hasn't been manufactured for 25 years.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions on axles that might work for my project.

How hard are you going to work the finished project? If it is not going to be worked too hard, the half ton running gear will work great.If you are going to do a lot of towing and hard playing ,I would stick with your original dream of 3/4 ton running gear.

I intend to use it as a truck, and I live in a hilly part of Missouri where we have been known to get plenty of snow and ice. The plan is for this truck to be mobile in nearly all conditions. Plus, I like the big 8-lug wheels I found in the boneyard - a bit of work, and they'll run the stock hubcaps.

I would go whith a 14 bolt and have a dana 60 cut down
in my opinon that is the best setup ever also you should find a divorced np 205 transfercase
or get a compleat trany/transfer pack out of a
70s or 80s chevy pickup which will bolt on most all chevy bell houseing's