Ok i have a 01 slt quad cab dakota that has been sitting for a bit. So i decided to finally work on it and my build idea is for a 6x6 build. First thing i am going to need help figuring out is what would be the best transfer cases and axles to use. Right now my truck has 9.25 inch diffs. Was not sure if i should stick to that size diffs / axles. Btw i am also going to solid axle swap in the front and get rid of the torsion bar front suspension. So any ideas about transfer cases and axles for this type of build would be great.

 

The 231 or 241 should be more than adequate to the task. If you can find an HD version of either, that would be good. (not sure it would be required though....) The problem becomes, how do you power the second axle..... (rearmost axle) I have seen 'over-the-shoulder' drives for Ford axles, but, they have a plate that bolts on the front for the pinion bearing and such, and you can bolt you drive to that. (need on for the rear axle as well) Another option would be driving a second pinion off the backside of the axle, that bolts on in place of the cover. But, they would require some pretty precision machining, and would likely be hideously expensive for a one-off part. Not to mention finding a pinion that would work for such and application. I suppose you could use another pinion (same gear ratio) and just mount it up higher, so the mesh would be correct, but, setting pinion depth would be challenging. Backlash would be another challenge.... as changing it for the rear facing pinion, would also change it for the one that actually drives the axle.

Might convert the axles to be top loaders..... but, then you would need to have a housing machined that would support either two pinions, or, a pinion on a 'pass-thru' shaft......

 

That is alot of good points. now you got me thinking about alot of other stuff. Going to draw out a possible idea to see if i can make it work. That or just saw a build that someone use a pair of duece an half rears so that might be an idea.

 

It's been done before, so we know it's possible. Provided you don't also want to go with huge tires, shouldn't be an issue but there's only so much room under the bed here. There's two ways to do it, either a semi truck 6x4 tandem axle which gives you 4 drive wheels in the back, or a dead axle which means only one rear axle is a drive axle and the other one is just there for carrying weight. A tandem drive would need the axle modified to use regular sized wheels and tires, although if you can make them fit, making it a dually to boot would look really wild. Paint it red and blue, name it Opdakotamus Prime.

The dead axle would definitely be the easier way to go since you'd just have to get a second axle like the one you already have, them move the drive axle forward and mount the dead axle to the rear. But, what would be the point of doing all this work and just sticking a dead axle out back? If you're gonna do it, do the tandem axle, and plan on putting something a little stronger under the hood because all this extra weight and rotating mass is going to need some extra grunt to get it rolling along.

 

Rockwell axles would certainly make it easier, (top loaders, already designed for just such an application) but, them fellers are BIG. You would need some lift to go with them.

I like the one Vimes linked. That uses an 'over-the-shoulder' adapter, and an offset housing 2nd axle. No idea just what axles they are though...... the the o-t-s adapter feller is going to require paying attention to as well. Need to make sure that on full compression, it can't smack anything around it.... and if you get the rear axles crossed up, don't want the rearmost shaft hitting anything either.

 

thinking the rockwells might be my best bet. i found a company selling the 2.5 ton axles as a set with the suspension connected.

 

You are gonna want one for the front as well.

 

yea agreed :P. I think this truck is going to be fun to drive. Also going to have to figure out transmission and tranfercase

 

What engine ya goin' with? I think at least a 360 would be in order here.......

 

was thinking a 5.9l cummins