Need some axle info

Ok, for you brain-trust guys - who has the measurements on our axles? I have a chance to acquire a Dana 70 from a 77 F350 with a 4.10 ratio and a limited slip.

Here are the measurements from the seller - question is will this fit without major mods?

8 lug axle too.


For the measurements I came up with about 51 between the backing
plates and about 41 on center for the spring perches. Those measurements
are with a slight bend in the tape over the pumpkin so not exact, but
ballpark. The overall length is about 72 inches.

I don't have the measurements, but that is a very narrow axle...

I happen to have a stock D70 in the shop..will have measures for you in a little while.

We'll have to see what Jon comes up with, but I think that is to narrow too.

Stock dana 70 is 56.5" (me on my back under the truck with a tape) from inside of backing plate to inside of backing plate. So that axle sounds to be very narrow if the measurement is accurate. I have a dana 70 in the back of my truck that I am putting disc brakes on and measured it and got a healthy 58". I can't find a page to decipher the BOM on this axle so if anyone has a dana book here it is 3 25 6 c6 BOM 603556 2

I just asked the guy to verify end-to-end measurements - 72 sounds pretty narrow to me as well, especially on a 1-ton truck.

Sorry for the delay....small crisis ends...

Inside of backing plate to inside of backing plate: 55½ inches.
Center of spring pad to center of spring pad: 50½ inches.

In case it matters...

Wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface: 72½ inches.

That measurements sound right for a dual wheeled truck. They tend to be a little narrow. Also Ford trucks of the early to mid 70's seam to be narrower the chevy or dodge truck. Thats just my observation.

Tom

How much work would it be to put in a pair of Dodge D70 axles?

I memory serves me correctly, the D70 from a Dodge motorhome fits the spring mounts and is in the right pace at the wheel well. I believe they are originally setup for duallys....

The guy just emailed me back, re-measured with help this time, and got 73.5 end to end - single rear wheel 1 ton ford. 8 lug hubs.

The kicker is, this thing's only $100 - so even if I don't use it, I should be able to turn it for that.

So, whatta ya think, snag it?

Ok, so nobody responding on the "snag it for $100 question" - here's another one:

NP205 case for $100 but a married version - hard to change or look for a divorced one?

thoughts please?

Rich, I for one thought your "snag it for $100" was a retorical question and that you were going to get it.

The married 205 is worth about $200-$300 around here. But, that is if somebody wants it. There is a junk yard in Austin that has a divorced NP205 for $275. They have had it for over 3 years now at the same price. That could happen to you too. You can convert the married to a divorced, but you will have several times the price of a real divorced invested. I wouldn't suggest it.

Tim, my concern is that the D70 for $100 is a good deal, but if I can't find a matching front - then that's $100 that could be used towards a matching set from a CUCV or something.

My other alternative is for Taco to REALLY need some money and sell me his D60 front for $400 or so. That's probably not likely to happen.

I was also concerned because there was some discussion that the D70 ford axle was narrower than ours. So, I really am looking for sensible advice here.

Thanks in advance.

The nicest thing about buying two axles at the same time is the matching R&P factor. I bought my 70 first and my front end doesn't match. The 70 I got though could have been left drum braked (it was really wide and had the narrowest drums I have seen on one).

Chevy seems to be the way to go, I had to pass on a set of dodge 60's as there was not near as much axle tube between the chunk and knuckle on the dodge as the chevy. It might not matter if I were going spring over but I am staying spring under in the front and I didn't want to gring on the chunk if it could be avoided.

Divorced NP205 around here is usually 100-150$ There is one on the Tennesseeoffroad.com board right now for $150. Getting someone to ship can be a chore though.

I know exactly the situation you are in Rich. When I was a dealer, I wouldn't have even given it thought. Just buy it and know that some time in the future I could either use it or sell it. Now that I am fund limited, I don't buy stuff unless I can justify it several different ways. "I think it might fit or work" is not one of my ways to justify. But, you could probably turn it on craigslist without ever unloading it from your truck. When normal people need a rear axle, they need it now and will pay for it. Unlike us green iron weirdo's who will look at something, think about it, nibble at it and then walk away for a few weeks before we start thinking about it again.

Well, it just got more interesting - not only does the same guy have the 205 (married) and the axle, but another local guy is listing an 81 goldwing for $1200 obo........grrr.