Dana 70 Front Axle

[Elrath]

I am doing a restore/mod on a 1963 Crew Cab Long bed, and converting from 2wd to 4x4. I purchased Dana 70's, front and rear, that came of a forest service truck to put under it. However, I'm wondering if I should use a different front axle due to parts and other problems. I'm not a mechanic and will be contracting most of the work out. Any advice?

PS: I went with Dana 70's because I intend on putting a 528 Hemi in the truck.

[Hobcobble]

I am doing a restore/mod on a 1963 Crew Cab Long bed, and converting from 2wd to 4x4. I purchased Dana 70's, front and rear, that came of a forest service truck to put under it. However, I'm wondering if I should use a different front axle due to parts and other problems. I'm not a mechanic and will be contracting most of the work out. Any advice?

PS: I went with Dana 70's because I intend on putting a 528 Hemi in the truck.

What year / brand Forest Service truck?
John

[Elrath]

I'm not really sure what year truck, but it was a Dodge. They fit and line up with the spring pack fine, but with as much horsepower as I'll be pushing, it'll need disc brakes in the front and preferrably also in the rear. So, if I can't add disc brakes then that may answer my question.

[Lowdown]

Is your D70 front axle open or closed knuckle? If closed knuckle, you have a few options:
Without some fab work, I'm 99% sure sure you cannot change a closed knuckle D70 to disc brakes but double check for sure.

With that said, if you really want keep the closed knuckle D70 you (may) have, you can cut off the knuckle balls and graft on aftermarket D60 inner knuckles (aka C's) then purchase either after market or OEM outer D60 knuckles, spindles, hubs, and lock outs. I'll be honest, this will be neither cheap or easy.

A less expensive option would be to find a '92 and earlier D60. Keep in mind '92s are going to have internally splined hubs and lock outs vs. '91 and earlier which will have external lock outs that bolt to the face of the wheel hub body. The internally splined hubs are a strong design compared to bolted on external hubs.

I know these axles pretty well so feel free to hit me up with any questions.
-Andy

[dirtdriller]

If you change axle types let me know I would be interested in your front axle. I broke my outer drivers shaft and need a replacement.

[Elrath]

If you change axle types let me know I would be interested in your front axle. I broke my outer drivers shaft and need a replacement.

Sorry, I haven't been on in a while. I think I may switch to a different front axle. What would you give for my Dana 70 Front Axle? I can text you some pictures if you'd like.