The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Rear Axle modifications... Opinions?

So heres my thoughts... I am building my truck (36 1.5T) and I know i would like to be able to get some more speed out of it. I am planning on putting a SBC in there a 307 to be more specific.

I know the gearing in these old rear ends is very low, I have a dana 60 rear end at my disposal. So i am thinking that i can cut the axle tubes of each axle and weld the axle tubes and all the bracketry to mount the drums and hubs from the old 36 axle to the center section of the dana 60. I know that the outside bolt pattern of the axle itself is the same, the reason for the switch would be to have the 10 lug pattern..

Hopefully this makes since... any thoughts?

I would feel kinda bad cutting up the old rear end cause its a really cool looking eaton 2 speed.. but i want the speed and don't see another way to get it without buying a completely different axle.. which budget will not allow for...

What you propose is certainly possible and I've seen a few successful examples.

Couple things to think about though:
With your newfound speed and power should you have better than original brakes too?
You'll need to have axle shafts modified to the correct length and splines to accommodate the old hubs and new differential side gears.
Cutting, lining up, and welding the parts back together and keeping a reasonably straight alignment is not an insignificant task.

If there was a newer axle that solved all those concerns and even has the correct bolt pattern would you use it?? (I would)
Here's a Tech Tip about swapping too that newer axle: http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bigbolts/p30swap/
These axles are cheap, no one really wants them probably because of the 10 lug pattern. I'd be willing to bet you can swap the entire axle cheaper and much faster than the cut and paste method.

Grigg

I guess the only hiccup in the above proposed plan is the new rear axle would have disc brakes... Then front disc brakes are a great idea but not as simple of a swap.

Grigg

Thanks for your input Grigg.. I will have to see if i can find one of those rears on the cheap...

If not I will attempt my plan, i have already spoken to a friend who works in a machine shop and will cut my splines for me, I may want to narrow the rear end even narrower than stock anyway... my trucks not really a restoration.. Its highly modified...

another question you may be able to give me input on, the front axle has the adapter that changes the 6 lug pattern on the drum to the wider 5 lug pattern for the rim.

Has any one ever tried to put a disk in place of the drum, the 6 lug pattern looks like the standard large pattern on full size Chevy's from the early 90's to current i believe...

I was thinking about taking the drum and machining most of it away so that i retained the bolt circle and center bore and sandwiching a disk between the adapter and what will be left of the drum...

I did see the info about the other front end.. but was just thinking...

Look on craigslist for the rear axle. A couple months ago I found one for a friend, after a few weeks searching we chose from about a half dozen cheap ones (less than $200) all over the country.

I'm not familiar with the front axle on your older (than mine) truck. It's definitely worth looking into adapting disc brakes to what you have. I didn't see it as an easy or good option on the 48 axle, with luck yours will be.

Grigg

Hey Gigg,

This is what i was talking about on my front axle
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo291/mack1416/IMG_0454.jpg

What do you think?

Also, i have been doing some looking so far i havent found a rear axle, whole trucks yes.. but definitely out of the budget...

Ill keep looking for now

I'll let you know if I spot any cheap axles. I search craigslist for "Dana 70HD" and "Dana 80" these will be 10 lug GM axles and not ford or dodge axles.

I think your front axle picture shows a hub with a drum bolted on, I don't think it has a dual wheel adapter.
Either way you could get some measurements and see what rotors may fit, then make a caliper bracket to suit. That would be great if it works out.

Grigg