Axle choice for TN type buggy?

Damage

Damage

New Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2011
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Has anyone got an opinion on what type of axles to chase up for a rock buggy. Here, in Australia, we have more Ford stuff available to us. I'm thinking along the lines of 80 to 90 model F250/F350 Dana 60 front/rear. Are these a good starting point for a build?:confused:
We will be using T350/400 trans, NP T/F, 350 V8, hydro steer, 40"+ tyres.
Apologies for the newbie question.
 
Not knowing what type terrain you have "down under", best I can do is a generic answer.
The years are about right for a Dana 60 front. You would want to upgrade it though. Minimum, 35 spline outers. IMO go with drive flanges. Reason being when you upgrade to 35 spline, the lock out hubs I have seen don't hold up. Then of course you can keep going also with up grading the inners as well. The Chrom-moly stuff is about as tough as you wanna go, unless you want to drop the big coin and go with a Birfield type axles set up from Bobby Longfield.
The rear is a good choice, but in my opinion I would look for a Dana 70 instead. The 70 is already 35 spline and the housing is the same as a Dana 60. So, no difference in clearance concerns.
An even better choice is the Corp Full Floater 14 bolt. Heavier axles, and you get an extra bearing in the pinion. The down side to going with a 14 bolt is the gearing selections available. You can go as low as 7.17 in a 60 or 70, but only 5.38 in a 14 bolt. But there is a shave kit for the 14 bolt that will give you bunches of clearance.

The T 350 and 400 are great trannys. But consider either a Dana 300 with upgraded output shafts, and a 4:1 gear set. or,.. a 203/205 doubler. Better yet, an Atlas 4 speed.

Hope this helps and don't be a stranger, post up pics and details in the build section!
Welcome to NC4X4 .com!
 
IF ya wanna save some change I'd say build a 2.5 ton rockwell buggy! The axles are huge and they are already geared! Dont have to worry bout anything unless you drive like a mad man! :D
 
Thanks for the info. I will be looking at some axles soon and now I will know what to ask for. Other basic questions;... How do you easily tell between a rear Dana 60/70? What type of vehicle can I rat a Corp 14 bolt axle from?
I found a rolling chassis that was a '78 K20, the rear is an 8 stud full floater and looks big, could this be a 14 bolt?
I want to make sure that I buy axles that are compatable with each other in available gearsets. 5.38 would probably work fine for running 40's.
 
Easiest way to tell a 14 Bolt is to count to 14 on the diff cover. If it has 14 bolts, its a 14 bolt. Also look up the picture of a 14 bolt full float diff cover. It is different than a semi float diff cover.

Hope this helps and good luck.
 
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