Hey!

Is there a 2-speed rear axle I can use in place of the 4.10 geared 14-bolt in my rollback? 8-lug, about 63" WMS-WMS width.

I have been towing some heavy loads lately (http://triadfoundry.com/richards_pictures/vehicles/tow2.jpg) :D, so it would be nice to be able to split gears, and would also be nice to have the overdrive.

I know I could get a Gear Vendors overdrive unit, but I can' justify the cost, so if I could swap in a 2-speed axle cheaper, that would be great!

Thanks!
Richard

im not sure if any one makes a 2-speed light duty axle. a us gear or a gear vendors will prolly be your best bet. btw do you want to under drive or over drive splits?

Originally posted by thecarman
Hey!

Is there a 2-speed rear axle I can use in place of the 4.10 geared 14-bolt in my rollback? 8-lug, about 63" WMS-WMS width.

I have been towing some heavy loads lately (http://triadfoundry.com/richards_pictures/vehicles/tow2.jpg) :D, so it would be nice to be able to split gears, and would also be nice to have the overdrive.

I know I could get a Gear Vendors overdrive unit, but I can' justify the cost, so if I could swap in a 2-speed axle cheaper, that would be great!

Thanks!
Richard

Man we were breaking those trucks just loading cars on them. Thats why they've gone to using 2.5 to 5 ton trucks for roll back out here. You need to get a bigger truck to do that with.

Originally posted by TR
btw do you want to under drive or over drive splits?

I want Overdrive splits.

This is just a "hobby" for me, not my profession :D, so I'm trying to keep it cheap. That's why I'd like to find something less expensive than a Gear Vendors unit.

Originally posted by 70~K5


Man we were breaking those trucks just loading cars on them. Thats why they've gone to using 2.5 to 5 ton trucks for roll back out here. You need to get a bigger truck to do that with.

If I was using this truck professionally, I might be able to afford something bigger (and nicer :D). But I just use it once a week at the most.

That was the first time I towed two vehicles at once with it, and I don't plan on doing that regularly, especially with vehicles that heavy.

But it sure would be nice to have a gear in between 3rd and 4th for passing, and an overdrive for 4th anyway.

I'm curious - were/are you a tow truck driver by profession, and how did you see the trucks break (so I know what to look out for)?

Thanks!!!
Richard

The only 2 speed rears I have seen are 2 1/2 ton up. So upgrade to a rockwell :flipoff2: . They make 2 speed "brownie" boxes you can mount between your trans and rear diff that will double your gears.

Back in '78 I was between truck driving jobs and a friend managed a tow fleet in San Jose, Ca. I drove wreckers some and mainly was their mechanic. That was when they first strated coming out with the roll backs on a 1 ton chassis and the cradel wheel lift trucks. We were braking the beds on the wheel lifts and breaking frames on the roll backs. Now all the newwer roll backs I see are built off of 2.5 ton and bigger trucks. Later I ran a gas station and did tows/ recoveries out of Soda Springs, Ca. During the winter the best tow rig we had was an old holmes bed on a '53 GMC 2 axle X military 4x4. I'd put duals wheels front and rear on it and chain up all 8 tires. Sucker was "SLOW AS HELL" and smoked like a mother but it did the job when nothing else could short of a track. :D