Looking at upgrading to 1-1/2" axles in rear diff

Right now have Dana 60
It needs new spindle

Option one- bore out spindles to fit 1-1/2 " axles and get a spool for the Dana 60.

Option two- Get 14 bolt- and shave , get new locker

Option 3 - Dana 70 , get new locker ?Do they make spools for Dana 70?

MOre issues- how much more does the 14 bolt or Dana 70 weigh than the Dana 60??

Are the wall thickeness of the tubes thicker on the Dana 70 and 14 bolt?

What are the differences in clearance on the pumpkins?ie. from the pumkin to the tube?

I need to upgrade the rear and I'm not sure which way to go??

my vote is for boring your spindles,adding a spool,and new dutchman shafts.

14BOLT
Cheap
Strong
Parts are everywhere

go with the 14 bolt
weld the spiders, cheaper spool:D

Lincoln Lockers are now available for all axles. Check into it.:flipoff2:

Originally posted by larryboy
my vote is for boring your spindles,adding a spool,and new dutchman shafts.

I'm with you... I am in the same situation and have lost lots of sleep over this.:confused: :confused: :confused: :mad: :mad:
I plan to get some axles from a salvage yard, have them cut and re-splined (by Dutchman), and either changing the sidegears on my Detroit , or welding up a carrier...
Has anyone come up with a definite inside diameter for 1.5" shafts? I measured a Dana 70 yesterday. It has a 1.535" inside diameter. That sounds too close for me. I have read somewhere that 1.630 is a better diameter. The wall gets pretty skinny as the comfort level increases. The Peterson Mag (sept 2001) says they went to 1.508 and their shafts slightly necked down to 1.45 at the spindle area.
Still seeking some input too..
Ricky...seeya...

I still say it's easier to get a 14-bolt, shave it for another 1-1.5 of clearence, weld it and go. I picked up my FF 14-bolt for $75 and that's the going rate.

i like dana 70's. never had a problem finding a 35 spline rear for under $100. uses the same cover as a 60 and it hangs down only slightly lower than a 60. :D

for all out strength go 14 bolt or dana 80 out of a newer dodge for the ultimate :grinpimp:

BETTER DESIGN= extra pinion bearing, plus they are cheap and easy to set-up, disk brakes are a breeze too.

Well... if you see value in being able to re-use whatever gears you have now...

97-up E350 SRW has 35-spline axles, 8-on-6.5" bolt pattern, disc brakes, w/mini-drum parking brake.

14-bolt is damn cheap though....

Originally posted by white knight
Looking at upgrading to 1-1/2" axles in rear diff

Right now have Dana 60
Option one- bore out spindles to fit 1-1/2 " axles and get a spool for the Dana 60

this is why i suggested staying with the 60,he has it already.

Stay with the 60 and go 1.5". You don't need the wieght or the carrying capacity of the 14b or 70.

We need a pic :D

I vote for 14 bolt, but.... They are all good ideas that you have. I would go with which ever is going to cost the least amount.
Depending on what gears you are running, I bet that you will be able to find a 14 bolt with the same gears as the front. My 14 bolt came with 4.56s, and like is so unanimously stated, they are cheap and easy to find.

Dean

bore the spindles.... ill sell ya a 60 spool cheap.... 35 spline 410 and down (was runnin thick cut gears) it was in my axle under power once.

DP
email me if ya want it.

vova, does that 14 bolt have plate welded to the bottom, or is that just a grind job on the cast housing? it looks damn good.

w/k, if you got a d60 in the back, it's goingto cost you $300 to get ALLOY shafts and you'll have to get the spindles bored. I'm not sure, but I think Randy's will loan out a bore tool. the upside is you'll have the 1.5 alloy shafts, which should be a good bit stronger than stock 1.5 oem shafts.

you buy anything else, you will have to (well, should) rebuild it and maybe regear it to get what you need it to be. that costs money (maybe more than $300) and you still have stock oem shafts, not the fancy alloy ones.

EDIT:
arb was willing to sell me just the parts to upgraded from 30 to 35 splines, I don't see why Tractech or anyone else would be different.

OK your Dana 60 needs a new spindle * Fab work required.
Your Dana 60 will need spindles bored or replaced with Dana 70/14 bolt spindles, So more fab work required.

Dana 70 and 14 bolt both already rather durable as built * assuming 35 spline 70 stuff...

So I guess it comes down to gears/locker and assorted pieces your 60 may already have. If you are running a welded 60 now and you want to upgrade given work required I would replace with the 14 bolt if it was me. And I might add I am a 60 Fan...

NoRM

this has been covered on here many times, 14 bolt all the way, and Its not just because I have one.:D

Originally posted by JR
Stay with the 60 and go 1.5". You don't need the wieght or the carrying capacity of the 14b or 70.
You ever seen the way SHE drives?!?!?! She needs all the strength she can get. She doesn't need a Gas peddle she needs an on off Switch! :D
Just giving you a hard time T.
14 with a Detroit. With that short wheelbase I would stay with a locker so you can lift and get it to turn.
14 and 70 are about the same strenght. Only gain I can see with a 60 is ground clearence.
14's are cheap and easy to find. It would cost less to get a 14 than it's going to cost for the parts and machine work on the 60. A LOT less.

Originally posted by Sundowner
vova, does that 14 bolt have plate welded to the bottom, or is that just a grind job on the cast housing? it looks damn good.


it was cut and plated:

After:

Hey, hey Grimey ;)

Thanks for the replys.

Will probably go for the 14 bolt . Sounds the cheapest way to go with the strength . Looking at quite a few mods so will need the cash I'll save on this