Junkyard poll

[evilfij]

Due to my lack of a 15/16ths deep socket I have yet to successfully retrieve a junkyard axle. however, I got three almost out except for the axle U bolts which i am going back with my deep socket to get off, I might take them all eventually but which one should I choose:

The two eatons are pretty similar except one is a Dually and one is a SRW. Both are open.

The D70 is really sweet and has a perfect housing (zero rust) and a powerlock, but I have to mix and match and put other older D70 hubs on it (in the yard no biggy) or convert to Semi float or something else?

They all cost the same. There are a couple of older D70s but they are not as pretty as the one missing its hubs.

Ron

[Strange Rover]

Do all the axles have the correct pinion offset??

Sam

[road1will]

i still think that they are all too big for what you are building. stock rover drivetrain just doesnt need a dana 70, or especially an eaton. i think that the eaton has like a 11.5" ring gear and 1.7" diameter 37 spline shafts???

way overkill IMO, unless you plan on swapping in one hell of a big block.

IMHO, stay with a narrowed SF D60 rear (1.5" 35sp), and go with a slightly narrowed D44 front with warn shafts and CTMs if you feel the need.

the beauty of this setup is that you would run a standard rover bolt pattern. the SF D60 could be drilled to anything, and if you put 8 lug outers on the D44 front then you could re-drill it to 5 on 6.5 SUPER EASY because the circle is already the correct diameter (8 on 6.5").

this is essentially what i have decided to "down-size" to on my rig from the D60/70 combo, simply because it will be way cheaper and yield a ton more clearance, and it will look factory until you crawl underneath :D

so it seems that you guys will be seeing a completely different rover than what i had first planned- no 42s, not even 38s, but a reliable, grippy, easier to fit 37" for now.

eventually i will build the rover buggy, but i just dont see it being the right time, or esp place (new england) to do it.

[Way]

I would go with a shvaed 60, but out of the three choices listed I would go with the d70.

D70 specs:
10.50 ring gear diameter
extra webing around center section
E350 will have a bit of an offset
pinion gear diamet 1.75" diameter
(gearsets 4.10,4:56, 4.88, 5.13, 5.86, 6.17, 7.17)
Used to be that a detroit was the only option. I believe a ARB can now be purchased. That is a must for Durango snow. Not sure if it is a factor in your area.

Be careful on the 14 bolt there are two offered. One is a 9.5" the other a 10.5". The 10.5" is stonger and is easier to get parts for. You can get an ARB for the 9.5", but I do not think that an ARB is available for the 10.5" if that is a factor. The lower gearsets available are 4.10, 4.56, 4.88, 5.13. If you want lower than that go with a 60 or 70.

Way

[fcfred]

I would go with the eaton
My belief is that the housing is stronger than the 70 especially with the sewer cap welded on, plus it's easier to weld to
the eaton does not come with a 1.7 inch 37 spline shaft at least not the ones from early 70's chevy 3/4 and 1 ton p-u's
but then you already knew this didn't you evilfj?
so there's my vote
yes you can't go lower than 5 something gears, but do you need to?
yes there is no arb, but if arb or eaton makes a selectable locker for the 14 bolt I bet it could easily be modified to make it work, or you could just weld it.
if you want to swap in 14 bolt shafts and sidegears then I would compare them to the shafts of the two axles you are looking at and find which are the closest. My 14-b shafts are slightly longer than the eatons, however even with the course splines of the eaton I doubt you would ever break them. What drivetrain and tires are you running?

[RockRover]

Is the 70 an HD? The one with the samoooth housing? If so I'd go with that...Remember, the D70 is only 5/16th's larger than a 60...And you'll automatically have the 35 splined axles with it...Locker selection is all there (With the exception of a spool) and gearing choices are all there too.

What ever you chose, build it once and build it BIG. That way, when the super HP motor goes in your not having to upgrade later...Personally I'd be hittin' my head with a ball-pin hammer if I did a 1/2 ton drive- train, only to (later) find the super deal on a Ram-Jet 350 (or whatever).

[evilfij]

Could I convert the D70 to semi float 35 spline but with a rover bolt pattern?

Ron

Doug, yes sexy smooth 70HD 5in offset

As to what its going in: my POS range rover

I think I am going to take the 70 no matter what. It is only $60 w/o the hubs or axles with the idea to convert it to semi float later I can get $60 for the powerlock in it, then buy the SRW eaton for use immediately

[RockRover]

Your an addict Ron! Pure and simple! :p

Welcome to the dark side! :vader2:

--D:vader2:

[road1will]

yes you can most definetly convert a 70 to 35sp SF with rover bolt pattern. it would entail putting ford 9" outers on the D70 axle, and then haveing custom axleshafts made by someone like moser, strange, or currie which would have the rover bolt pattern on them.

adam
ps- i still say they are all WAY overkill. i mean your truck has a stock 3.5 rover V8!!!

[evilfij]

Yes addict :)

Soon I will be like the Mexican I saw in the junkyard with his own forklift and generator driven compressor.

Sure a 60 would work but a 70 is the same price, its like when they have free supersize at McDonalds.

Ron