Let me first say that I am 19 but not so much a newbie. I am the proud owner of a free 1971 half cab. It is rusted terribly, but hey...its free. My question is about throwing some full widths under there. My plan is a 14 bolt, 4-link rear (plan,but I might just end up with a leaf pack), but I am not sure about the front axle. I know I can use a HP dana 44 or 60 out of a ford, but can I use a reverse cut chevy? HP 60's are impossible to find, and if i do happen to stumble upon one, will I run into any problems? For the front suspension I plan on swapping out all bracketry on the stock dana 44 onto a full width. I chose a 14 bolt because they are so cheap and strong...are there any objections to this? I am paying for the whole project myself and with the help of some of my friends in automotive engineering school, I believe this is a doable project. If I asked any dumb questions, sorry, but i'm trying to learn as much as I can and do it right the first time. Thanks for all the help, the forum is amazing.

To use a Chevy front 60 you will need another transfer case. The Chevy/Dodge diffy is on the wrong side. 14 bolt would make a nice cheap rear. So would a Sterling 10.25 if you wanted lower gearing. Do a search for "wristed arm" this would be the best/cheap way to do the front. You can get weld-on radius arm tabs from wildhorses..... its dam hard to cut the old ones off your 44 and keep them reusable.

Make sure your wheels are back spaced to much. That plus Full witdh = Super wide

BTW, GM never made a HP front

Can I not flip a chevy or dodge axle upside down, swap the steering components and use reverse cut gears? I've never really heard of anyone doing this, but is it possible at all?

No

You'd be dripping gear oil out of the vent hole on top of the pumpkin. :D

if you swapped the axles upside down you would be running in reverse.

It's been done before w/ the Razor and other mid engine buggies.

Where are you located and what kind of wheeling will you be doing? Probably the main drawback to the 14 bolt is it's huge center section size....You lose alot of ground clearance with it. D60 rears can be had pretty cheaply too, 150 bucks around here, sometimes cheaper.

if you shave the lip off a 14 bolt it has almost as much clearance as a stock 60.

That is the one downside to a 14 bolt...eventually I would end up shaving it. As for what kind of wheeling...i would say anything I can throw at it. I live in Georgia and know of some sweet crawling places, but this is my first project so I guess we will see how it goes. There is always mud to romp in. If there is anybody that knows of any places to wheel in GA or places not too far out of state(tellico), lemme know.

At least this thread is a step up from "My girlfriends 02 PS air isn't working."

Let me first say that I am 19 but not so much a newbie.

Can I not flip a chevy or dodge axle upside down, swap the steering components and use reverse cut gears? I've never really heard of anyone doing this, but is it possible at all?

wow... label this thread "No newbie bashing required" set yourself up for that question perfectly :laughing: :flipoff2:

well, sorry i'm no veteran, but cut me some slack guys, I'm tryin to learn all that I can with limited resources and funds.

Hit up some junkyards, full width HP Dana 44s can usually be had for under 400 dollars. If you can't find anything locally, get on some big bronco and 70s Ford sites and look for old trucks being parted out.

I have full width axles in my EB. I used a HP 60 from an 89' F-350. What front suspension do you want to use. I had to have my 60 front re-tubed to move the center section over to line up with the transfer case, but that was specific to my application. I would suggest a 60 rear, full float, with dana 70 or 14 bolt spindles and hubs. By doing this it will net you with 1.5" diameter shafts and 35 spline. PM me with any other questions. :D

You can save a ton of money and time by building a semi float rear D60. I used a HD60 for a beefy center section, cut the ends off welded BB 9" outters on. Then get a 35spline spool and some Duchman axles, I ran this set-up 4 years thru Rubicon, Hammers, anywhere else I wanted with no breaks. Then as you can afford it buy CTM's and Crmo axles for your 44. With 2.5" bs wheels you'll be stable but not stupid wide. I did the full width swap using hp60/ late model 60 rear, now I'm 96" wide with 40's. If I had to do it over I'd stay 60-62 wide on the 60's. If your going to use a HP 60 and C bushings find 78-79 350 front or you'll have to retube short side and cut long side down to match. There isn't enough tube on later models, even on the older housings you'll be grinding the housing for clearence. Good luck :grinpimp: Pepdaddy

That is the one downside to a 14 bolt...eventually I would end up shaving it. As for what kind of wheeling...i would say anything I can throw at it. I live in Georgia and know of some sweet crawling places, but this is my first project so I guess we will see how it goes. There is always mud to romp in. If there is anybody that knows of any places to wheel in GA or places not too far out of state(tellico), lemme know.





where in GA do you live??

If I had to do it over I'd stay 60-62 wide on the 60's. If your going to use a HP 60 and C bushings find 78-79 350 front :grinpimp: Pepdaddy
I've been looking at this and it looks to me that the narrowest you can build a 60 is about 64" at the wms. is the center on the early 350 different than others?

I live in marietta, i see you live in acworth. Where do you wheel? I'm lookin for some new spots...pm me if you want