new gears/axle question
All Star
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Langley, BC, Canada
for what you are trying to accomplish whith this truck, i dont think a d60 or 70 from a 2500 is a good choice. They both use an 8-lug bolt pattern, and are full floating, not to mention the 60 weighs about 500lbs, i dont know about the 70... but im sure its much more
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 1
From: Elk Rapids, MI
ok i tried doing a search but couldnt come up with much. you said the leaf spring pads are bigger and the drive shaft wont bolt up. what does this entail? is this easily overcome or is there fab work that needs to be done? are there adapters or kits sold somewhere to make this work? the only reason i am pursuing the axle swap so much is i found a rear axle off a 2500 with 4.10 gears at a salvage yard here for $125
The leaf spring pads are not that big of a deal... they are a half inch wider than the half ton leafs. Either torch them off and weld on your stockers or cut some notches in them so the u-bolts wont have to arc around them. The stock drive shaft may be too long (due to the larger axle size) and the u-joints wont be the same. You may be able to find a conversion joint to fit the stock shaft and the 60's yoke if the stock shaft length will work, but I don't know. Otherwise you will have to pay a drive shaft company to customize it which may cost a few hundred bucks or more.
I know your getting it cheep, but I think it would be a smarter plan to just re-gear your stock axle. And I agree with helms and the others that this axle may just be a bit bigger than you need. The 9.25 is actually a stout little axle.
Thread Starter
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Professional
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: CA
ok. if you guys think the 9.25 will hold up i will go that way and re gear. do you know how much labor would cost for that by chance? i would have to buy a few tools in order to do it myself so i will probably have someone else do it.