stock axel replacement possible ?????

[randall555]

i keep hearing that the stock dana 60 axel on the passenger side is the weak link and the drivers side is the next . so my question is , is it possible to have a new axel shaft made that is stronger to replace the stock weak one and the drivers side to . and if so do you think the cost would be to much to make it worth the effert . i like the 5 87 .1 gearing and would like to keep the stock axels . also has anyone ever broke a stock rear dana 70 axel shaft . what is the possibility with 42 inch tires tsl swampers

[brute4c]

Running 42 inch tires on the front with the stock D60 would mean driving carefully OR breaking axles.

I do know of this conversion that can be done to give the front axle more strength...it uses 35 spline shafts in the stock D60:
http://www.m715zone.com/vb/view.php?pg=35_spline

The rear axle shafts, while not indestructable, dont break easy even with lockers and big tires...its possible but doesnt happen very often.

Most people weigh the cost of upgrading the 2, and the oddball bolt pattern and the drum brakes and go wih CUCV axles or newer GM D60 open knuckle fronts and Corp. 14 bolt rears...usually spring over in front but can be done as spring under.

[randyscycle]

If you are planning on any serious wheeling and anything bigger than 38's, then I'd do the Dana 60/14 bolt swap. Much more strength, better brakes, infinite wheel choices, and immediate parts availability.

If you have a pile of 715 axles laying around, then run what you have until you run out of spares. Doing the upgrade Jon posted will work, but the time and effort expended in my opinion would be going in the wrong direction. I've hashed it over about a million times in my mind and on paper, and finacially and mechanically, its better to swap axles in the long run.

[Tomahawk715]

Yeah x2 on the Dana60/14 bolt

If your not going for totally stock truck I dont think there is any argument to keep the stock axles. Or just run them till they break and then replace them.