Hi guys i figured you would be my best bet for this tech info?


I am wondering what it takes to get rid of the closed knuckle in favor of a open knuckle? what i have been able to find out is just get rid of the closed knuckle "ball" by drilling out the plug welds and replacing it with inner C's then it is all normal 35 spline dana 60 from there which is where the dana 60 35 spline parts come from in the first place dana 70,s


Am i even close ???

JC

It would probably be easier to re-tube the housing. I'd look at the tubes also as a lot of the old closed knuckle D60s use a tube smaller than a modern D44. Just machining off the ball and putting on a D60 C is probably going to get you an odd length requiring custom shafts. Unless you can make it work out so that a common shaft can be used, I would think you would be much better off re-tubing the housing to make use of common axle shaft lengths.

where do ya get new axle tube ?? it is just as much work as removing the ball so i would not be aposed to it and BTW you kept metioning dana 60 and 44 closed knuckle i am looking at a dana 70 closed knuckle as the thing is just plain huge i think if i can rebuild/hybrid one it would be a perfict axle for my hauler truck

JC

I made a dana 70 front out of a rear by cutting the inner c's off a junk 60 housing with about 6" of tube and machining them to tightly fit the 70s tube.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r57/TAWL_BOY/006-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r57/TAWL_BOY/007-1.jpg

does your d70 front have axle seals in the tubes/housing?


it realy doesnt even seem worth the effort if it doesnt. you have to buy all the outer stuff which will easily cost you another $6-700

just buy a regular d60 and save yourself alot of trouble.

I'm gonna use seals it tube seals. Or I might machine a puck of 60 tube to fit an inner axle seal and press it into the tube.

The reason I did this was because I already had a Dana 70 with 4.88s and a locker and I got a junk 60 for a $200 missing a carrier. I still need to buy hubs and rotors.
I justified it by not having to buy a $1000 dollar axle and pay for gears, locker, and possibly a rebuild.

It would probably be easier to re-tube the housing. I'd look at the tubes also as a lot of the old closed knuckle D60s use a tube smaller than a modern D44. Just machining off the ball and putting on a D60 C is probably going to get you an odd length requiring custom shafts. Unless you can make it work out so that a common shaft can be used, I would think you would be much better off re-tubing the housing to make use of common axle shaft lengths.

no dude, front 70 housings have bigger tubes than stock later 60's dont know exactly but i would say at least 3- 3 1/2" tubes

Hi guys i figured you would be my best bet for this tech info?


I am wondering what it takes to get rid of the closed knuckle in favor of a open knuckle? what i have been able to find out is just get rid of the closed knuckle "ball" by drilling out the plug welds and replacing it with inner C's then it is all normal 35 spline dana 60 from there which is where the dana 60 35 spline parts come from in the first place dana 70,s


Am i even close ???

JC

Why get rid of the closed knuckle?

I run a D70 closed knuckle in the rear with Longfield 35 spline CVs. About 10 years now in the rear. It is perfect. All you need to do is a little bit of machining on the spindles to accommodate the axle stub bearings and Longfields or standard 35 spline u-joint shafts. It isn't hard.

Look at it closely and it will come to you excactly what you need to do.

ive found what i believe to be a 68 W300 powerwagon firetruck with a complete D70 front. its got closed knuckles, open 4.88s and twisty locking hubs with a large 6 lug wheel pattern.

info im finding points to 21 spline inner axle shafts.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana70.htm


two questions:

1. the carrier looks pretty typical. can i simply swap the 21 spline gears out for the standard 1.5x35 spline?

2. is there any difference in the way the chunk was built for front axle use vs rear axle? any reason why i would be better off to start with a 70Front than a 70 rear to make a steering front? coast side/drive side, etc. or does it use the same exact ring and pinion front or rear?

thanks

I have a 70f from an IH pickup. its an animal. 6.17 gears. I dont mind the closed knuckle stuff becasue it has decent turning radius. Its the brakes. Is a disk conversion feesable? If its not, then a knuckle swap might be a good alternative. The drums are huge but they suck and are heavy.

do they run a birfield or a standard Ujoint between the inner and outer axle?

do they run a birfield or a standard Ujoint between the inner and outer axle?

Mine has D60 size U-joint but missing the dust seals.

I have a 70f from an IH pickup. its an animal. 6.17 gears. I dont mind the closed knuckle stuff becasue it has decent turning radius. Its the brakes. Is a disk conversion feesable? If its not, then a knuckle swap might be a good alternative. The drums are huge but they suck and are heavy.

If the big six lug pattern (Bud?) is the same as the old Power Wagons then there are kits available to convert to discs. Look in some of the old Dodge Power Wagon web sites.

If the big six lug pattern (Bud?) is the same as the old Power Wagons then there are kits available to convert to discs. Look in some of the old Dodge Power Wagon web sites.

Its your standard modern 8x6.5 pattern.

I've seen some kits that will work with that bolt pattern too. Some clearance grinding on the knuckle to clear the caliper as I recall. I also saw a guy do a home made disc swap on a 70 front axle with dual piston calipers mounted on the front side of the housing.

ive found what i believe to be a 68 W300 powerwagon firetruck with a complete D70 front. its got closed knuckles, open 4.88s and twisty locking hubs with a large 6 lug wheel pattern.

info im finding points to 21 spline inner axle shafts.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana70.htm


two questions:

1. the carrier looks pretty typical. can i simply swap the 21 spline gears out for the standard 1.5x35 spline?

2. is there any difference in the way the chunk was built for front axle use vs rear axle? any reason why i would be better off to start with a 70Front than a 70 rear to make a steering front? coast side/drive side, etc. or does it use the same exact ring and pinion front or rear?

thanks if you got leaves in the front its better, also has the axle seals in in it.

do they run a birfield or a standard Ujoint between the inner and outer axle?

its a tracta joint, looks nothing like a cv, more like dog bones or some crap def not a birfield or u joint. at least thats whats stock on them. other stuff probably fits.

http://www.pangolin4x4.com/pangolin4x4/reference/lib/axles/tractas.jpg

thanks for the info. i bought it last week and sold it today. looks like another one coming in soon, 8 lug.

thanks for the info. i bought it last week and sold it today. looks like another one coming in soon, 8 lug.

Mike Belben I see you said you may be getting another closed knuckle 70f. if you should come across one your going to. or would be willing to part out. i'm looking for spare knuckles for mine.

Thanks