The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Axles and other things...

So... as I am doing mine as a daily driver and don't want to change the suspension a huge amount.... I am thinking about swapping out both the front and rear axles to get upgraded components... I am wondering if anyone has done this?

I was reading that a 90's F150 rear axle is pretty much the perfect length... but I am wondering about the front... and if I did what are the thoughts on steering?

I would love disc brakes of course and upgraded bearings ect... it just seems like a swap of both might make my life a whole lot easier!

Do a little searching here.

For what model/year truck?

For AD 1 ton pickups I've found that a 14 bolt GM axle from a Cab and Chassis truck is a very close swap for the rear. I have one, have measured it, and I'm sure I can use it... but haven't gotten to it.

Front axle is not so easy, I've yet to find anything that swaps in nicely.
There are a couple different disc brake conversions folks have figured out and made, but nothing bolt on without fabrication first and nothing completely off the shelf.

Let us know what you learn and figure out.

Grigg

90's F-150 axles under a vintage 1ton . . . sounds like catastrophic failure in the making . . .

Mike

We just put a different rear axle under my 1 ton panel. I talked with Phillip at Patricks. He suggested we look for a late '80's early '90's F350 passenger van rear end with a 3:55 and thought we had one from the local wrecker, it was the correct length and looked right. It was supposed to swap out easily with a few things such as new purchs etc. Our first clue that we didn't have what we thought was when the Ford lug nuts didn't fit, but GM did. Then, the drive line had to be shortened so we had the U joint changed at the same time, wrong U joint, too small, we went back to the old U joint. Then what cinched it was the brake line, it needed to be changed due to damage, quess what, another GM product fit. Now comes what we probably should have done first. We pulled the cover, counted the gears and there were numbers on the ring gear. We were told it was a rear end from an '89 Ford 3/4 ton passenger van and that it was a 3:73, it turns out that it is a GM product with a 4:11 gear ratio. Everything is connected and the brakes are bled but it will be a while before we get it out on a road test. The good part is that it was an easy swap and would have been easier if we had known what we were working with. The brake lines connected easily as did the emergency brake, it is a single axle bearing instead of 2 so it will be easier to work on and it can wear hub caps on the rear wheels. Now I'm trying to figure out what rear end it actually is and if the gears can be changed. We already put in an S10 T5 tranny that works great and hoping the 4:11 gear ratio will work well.
We can't find numbers on the axle. The numbers on the ring gear are: T or 1 GM 2601(598)21041(5)91 and it is a slip diff. If anyone knows how I can figure out what this axle is, it would be greatly appreciated. It needs a vent valve, right now there is a hose attached to the vent. Obviously it will be easier to get parts if we know what we have.

I found the number on the axle under the rust, then called the wrecker who gave me the following info.
PJJ 01574 is off of a 1991 3/4 ton Chev. conventional cab p/u, 4w/d non-locker with a 9.5" ring gear.

This answers my question on whether a 3/4 4wd axle will fit.
Did you happen to measure the distance from the wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface? I have a line on a set of axles from a 3/4 ton 4wd they are 4.10s and cheap.
has anyone done a 4wd 1ton? Can I run a pto off the stock trans?
hmmmm

Hi lostmy47, Back plate to back plate it measures 52.25", the orginal rear end on my one ton measures 52". We have not road tested as yet. The question about making it a 4wd is interesting, as I have had the same thought since I found out that the rear end is a 4wd.
Bettyann

Previous application of rear axle has close to nothing to do with being 4 wheel drive or not when used in a different truck.
If yours was from a 4 or a 2 wheel truck it makes no difference. It is the same work with a newer rear as it would have been with the original to make your truck 4 wheel drive.

In my opinion it's not worth converting "just because" but if you genuinely have a reason and desire then go for it.

I should have said "from" a 4wd. Anyway, thanks for the feed back. There really isn't a reason for me to go to 4wd, just a thought when I found the rear end came from a 4wd. Right now I'm trying to find a vent valve for the diff., it has a hose conected.

I realize the axles don't make it 4wd. I was just saying that I had a line on a set of axles from a 3/4 ton 4wd. If I want them. I was thinking of making this truck 4wd as I am considering a move back to Denver next year it snows a little there...

Ford parts on a Chevy? So wrong in so many ways!