awest : New Member Seeks Answers

New Member Seeks Answers
Post by awest on Aug 9, 2006, 3:09pm

Hello everyone. I am Adam and i am new to this group. I have just recently purchased a 68 M-715 Cargo Truck. I have read through your forums and went through many pics. But some of the answers that i am looking for i still cant find. Any help would be appreciated. First of all I have a new drive train for this unit. its a modified AMC 360 going to a B&M TFT727 with shift kit attached to a Dana 300 with twin stick and 4:1 Teralow kit. I already have the full rebuild kits for both front and rear axles and air lockers front and rear. What i am looking for is Lift. Up front i would like to do a shackle reversal and SOA. Maybe add a few leafs to it as well. In the rear i am stumped. I am wanting to lift the truck with out any use of blocks. has anyone done this. All in all i am looking to be able to put some nice 44's under it to work well with my hydro steering. Also Where is a good source to locate some different rims with more back spacing. These are just a few of the questions that i have, and would appreciate any help on it. Thanks. Adam West.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by porkchop on Aug 9, 2006, 3:14pm

Welcome. Adam West, how many times have you been called Batman, LOL? What axles are you running?

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by awest on Aug 9, 2006, 3:46pm

hey pork, i am running the stock dana 60front/dana 70 rear. I was considering rockwells but way to costly

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by elwenil on Aug 9, 2006, 4:01pm

For the cost of custom rims you can almost have a set of CUCV (70s-80s GM 14 Bolt/D60) axles and have your choice of cheaper 8 lug rims. Plus you will end up with axles much stronger than the 715s D70 & D60. Especially if you are going to lift it and have the axles out anyway. Other than that, Stazworks, Stockton Wheel, Marsh Racing, and our own on site wheel fab guy, Bob Cowan.
No common lift kits will work, I suggest custom springs for more lift.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by thetroublemaster on Aug 9, 2006, 4:02pm

Air lockers?? I want some.... :^))) Just kidding adam. Welcome aboard!! So far as we know air lockers are not availible for our factory 60/70. Do you know something we don't? LOL.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by elwenil on Aug 9, 2006, 4:06pm

Yes, if you don't already know, our D70 has a weird offset pinion and common diffs do not work. There is a Detroit available for our 70 though, the front I think has similar compatibility issues.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by brute4c on Aug 9, 2006, 4:10pm

Dana 300 might be a bit light for these trucks....have to wait and see...depends how you use it....

I doubt you will need to add any leaves....most take out one or 2....

Springover in front....in the rear, see image below....flip #25 and grind the rivets from the plate behind #7 and flip that plate over and reattach....no lifting blocks needed wih stock suspension:
http://www.m715zone.com/manuals/34/fig14-3.jpg

These mods will give 5.5 inches roughly....wont clear 44's, especially in front without trimming....

Wheels....

Stockton Wheel: http://stocktonwheel.com/
Diamond Racing Wheels: http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by porkchop on Aug 9, 2006, 4:30pm

That is why I was wondering what axles you were running, 44's do not go well with stock axles.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by robertcowan on Aug 9, 2006, 8:34pm

also power locks are available for the dana 70 rear and 60 fronts in these trucks i got em in stock the front is the same as all dana 60,s that are low pinion. rear shafts are 1 1/2" thick

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by bluesman2a on Aug 9, 2006, 10:13pm


Quote: <TABLE class=bordercolor cellSpacing=1 width="90%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE class=quote cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">Dana 300 might be a bit light for these trucks</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

X2... Agreed... 205, a 203/205 doubler, or a Stak box would all be better solutions.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by gimpyrobb on Aug 10, 2006, 7:31am

Also, When lifting the rear, after you flip the shackle, an other member found (or made) longer shackles. I think that would be the only option other than a block for the rear. There is longer custom springs to be made too, I guess.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by awest on Aug 10, 2006, 11:09am

Hey guys thanks for all of the great info that you have provided. The only other thing that i have to do is convert it over to 12V and get my Axles back from Currie Enterprises. This will be my second FSJ to do. Also I will have several parts from this to get rid of, and many parts from a 78 CJ7 That i will be parting out with soon. Looking forward to getting running soon and getting covered in mudd. later guys.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by awest on Aug 11, 2006, 8:40am

Hey brute4c, I forgot to say thanks for that pic you sent. Helped out alot. Also Where is a good source to go to get everything i need for the Soa conversion.

Re: New Member Seeks Answers
Post by brute4c on Aug 11, 2006, 9:43am

You need longer brake lines...have those made somewhere....
Spring perches...we have this in the parts file:

I know I've seen the pads in the Speedway catalog, for 3" axle tubes. At Speedway, 12.95 for weld on, 24.95 for clamp on. I wouldn't trust the clamp on ones
though. Their number is 1-402-323-3200 for orders, part number 545-85090 for the welded ones. Request their catalogs too, tons of stuff but make sure you get
the racing one and the street rod one.
from chris 22 Jan 02

The Dana 60 axle tube is the same diameter as the Dana 44 as well. So spring perches will be the same if you get them from a Chevy or Dodge with the Dana 44
front axle. Well, not the same, but will work just fine.
from Froadin com #5286 12/7/99

I used Mr. Gasket spring perches. Called "Rear Housing Spring Pads" Part# 6280. This fits all Dana 60 and 12 bolt 3" diameter housings. I just left my old perches
on. This way it was easier, I didn't have to risk weakening my axle housing from excess heat, and I can revert to the under style if I wanted to (I'm not sure why!)
Hope you have a pickle fork!!!
from jeepclown #4052 9/22/99


shocks for a springover....I know there are ranchos that work....someone else should know the number of them...

I think thats about it....

On the rear...when you want to reattach the rear spring mount plate, grade 8 bolts work nice.