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I recently aquired a 1979 GMC 7000 4x4 with a 427 and Allison trans. It has the American -Coleman 4x4 conversion. I was wondering if anyone has any info or insight to provide on the American -Coleman conversion and parts for the front axle.

I know the the transfer case is a Rockwell, but did American coleman manufacture make the front axle or is it some variation of a Rockwell axle?

Thanks,
Jeff

Curious what you find.. I remember reading literature that showed bolting the Coleman front hubs onto a stock rear axle (moved to the front), did I remember right?

Grigg

Grigg,
I don't think it was a rear axle conversion. The rear is an Eaton. The front axle looks like a Rockwell design or style with square axle tubes.

Jeff

IIRC, I beleive Coleman used both Rockwell and Timken as base axle suppliers, the option was up to the purchaser as to which was used. I have also seen Coleman axles built from Eatons (HO72) as well as Mack axles (E series). They also did make their own transfer cases at one point, both in part and full time, gear drive, no chains.

Just checked in one of my manuals, it says to refer to the Rockwell section for the differential part of the Colman axle.

I wonder if your front shakes and you need parts to attempt to stop it ? I just sold my 81 gmc 7000 with coleman axle and rockwell transfercase it also had a alison automatic. Anyway I did find a supplier and bought all the stuff and had it installed and it still shook.Have you had the pleasure to look behind the front drum?My truck was a former fire truck with only 15,000 miles. I still have the boots we were too scared to change them!

This truck is also a former Fire truck. It has 25,000 miles on it. I just got it and have only drive it a little bit, but the front end didn't seem to shake. The play in the steering seemed similar to my 2wd C65. Mine came out of the south and is super clean as far as any rust but it looks like a bunch of hillbillies did the wiring (its a mess) I was told it was just taken out of service 6 months ago, but the I doubt it the way the wiring was so messed up.

Curt - where were you able to find front axle parts? My one front boot is also torn. Also, what did yours have for front brakes?

Jeff

Ill dig up some info tomorrow

Bill,
Your reference to se Rockwell section seem right to me. Not that I have a lot of experience with Rockwells, but I've seen them a lot back in my 4wheelin days. Do you have a manual fro the American -Coleman conversion? Where could I get one? I've been looking but with no success. Does anyone know if Howe-Coleman in New York continues to supply parts?

Jeff

The manual I have is an older Chilton from the '60s, one of the ones that overs multiple makes. It does have a section under GMC covering the Coleman hub and spindle, which is also breifly touched on in the IH section. I beleive the last time that manual was in print was the early '90s.

Thanks for the info - I'll try to look under Chilton manuals to see what I can find.

Say bodyguy I looked for my receipt for those parts and did not find however I did find a note in my book Axle parts General truck Illinois gary 800-621-3914 Also ottawa truck Kansas 913-229-6317 Also if you need the floor mat part#15569628 St. Anthony Indiana 800-770-2321 Hasenaur Motor Company THe mat fit great The shifter boot is a no go You'll have to glue two transfer case boots together from a chevy one ton then weld the ring of two together.

Thanks for the info Curt - I do actually need the floor mat. The truck is really clean and I have been going through fixing all the little broken stuff on it. I plan to take the fire truck pumper bed off it and put a dump bed on it and paint it. The paints not bad on it, but I like my stuff nice. Besides,its just for personal use. I'm really pumped to find one of these this clean (not a bit of rust on it) You just don' find rust free stuff up in my neck of the woods.

Jeff