Vombrown
Mountain Man
It's not a specific parts kit. Please understand there are plenty of these swaps running around, this isn't reinventing the wheel.
CK5
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Alternative one ton axles.
- Thread starter Vombrown
- Start date
It's not a specific parts kit. Please understand there are plenty of these swaps running around, this isn't reinventing the wheel.
Just talking through all that's involved, so that you don't end up with a money pit project.
They're good axles, but pretty alien to a square body. The bolt pattern is different, the suspension is different, the differential is on the opposite side, and the steering is either stock (bad on lifted stuff) or special. For most, that more than offsets the cost of a GM axle. I doubt it's a cheaper option, but different for sure.
It would be interesting to see a coil sprung Super Duty axle under a square body, so make sure to post up if you do it!
They're good axles, but pretty alien to a square body. The bolt pattern is different, the suspension is different, the differential is on the opposite side, and the steering is either stock (bad on lifted stuff) or special. For most, that more than offsets the cost of a GM axle. I doubt it's a cheaper option, but different for sure.
It would be interesting to see a coil sprung Super Duty axle under a square body, so make sure to post up if you do it!
Vombrown
Mountain Man
I'm working through it now, parts availability and all the involved pieces. I'm not 100 percent dedicated to doing it but if I can find the axles for what I think it can at our local salvage yard, (around 500 for the front and rear) with the 4.30 gearing I will pull the trigger on them. I'm swapping in a 5.3L right now so it will be a couple weeks before I can get it going but I will post it on my build thread...The Snow Bear k-20 that might need to be renamed the "Bastard K-20" if I end up with ford running gear under it....LOL
Final thought, if you're planning on mounting the radius arm mount under the frame, it would be smart to run the numbers through a calculator.
The Ford frame likely has a much wider frame than square bodies do and the alignment of the links vs. the frame has a big impact on roll steer. Big roll steer numbers drive super sketch, it's why people are afraid of screwing up linked suspensions. It's not as easy as just attaching the link mounting points, and it's double important on radius arms.
The Ford frame likely has a much wider frame than square bodies do and the alignment of the links vs. the frame has a big impact on roll steer. Big roll steer numbers drive super sketch, it's why people are afraid of screwing up linked suspensions. It's not as easy as just attaching the link mounting points, and it's double important on radius arms.
Vombrown
Mountain Man
Well it might all be for naught.... Local buddy just offered me a set of CUCV axles. Dana 60 and 14 bolt rear for 800 bucks....LOL. I can't pass that up.
This is a really cool build. You don't waste anytime. Those axles are a good deal, hard to even consider anything else when you have that option.
Vombrown
Mountain Man
I try to get everything I need, parts and material laying in front of me. I want to get this project rocking and finished by spring hopefully. Hoping to have it at Blazer bash this season.
For what they want local for a 60, you could prolly find one in another state, ship it via Fastenal, and still be ahead. I shipped a 60 to your state for $300-ish, that was 10 years ago. I shipped an 8.1 to Washington state, and didn't cost that much. They are heavy bastards....but great deal on the grounder pounder axles!!!!
After talking to you I feel like I need to at least try to put this radius arm 60 under a square.
Vombrown
Mountain Man
LOL...Dude I would try it in a heart beat. Honestly, it sounds like a fairly easy swap. Had these axles not literally fallen into my lap I would be moving forward with it. I think it would be cool as hell. Maybe I should just sell the CUCV stuff and proceed with the super duty swap? Hmmmm...
It's already been mentioned in previous replies, but there is a lot more to it than simply the junkyard cost of the axles. Not saying that some of the other front axle options are not interesting or can not be done but a big difference between buying a u-bolt kit and spending an hour bolting in a GM D60 and fabricating a whole new suspension, swapping transfer cases, new wheels, etc.... The comments about swapping in a radius style suspension is very relative to the person's experience. I'm sure there are lots of experienced fabricators/mechanics that could do it easily but I doubt the majority of guys have the ability to pull their K5 into the shop on Saturday morning and then go cruising Sunday evening after swapping in a radius arm Ford D60 front axle. Even swapping rear axles may not be that straight forward for many people. Granted, moving and rewelding spring perches along with new brake lines is easy for some people but for some that is a weekend project by itself.
454Sub
5/8 ton status
IMO the Ford radius arm setup sucks.
I would either run the CUCV axles or do a 3 link on the newer SD axle. Leave the radius arms for the junkyard.
I would either run the CUCV axles or do a 3 link on the newer SD axle. Leave the radius arms for the junkyard.
I have been searching for a front drive axle for my freightliner and stumbled on some lkq sites in ohio and Michigan that have a few good deals.
Are all the states priced equally or each location gets to price based on their market?
Pricing is usually set per market, but we say all the time we price match so throw a number at them and make them make it cheap lol.
What axle are you looking for? I have a brand new Meritor MX18120 with 4.33 gears.
It just needs to be class 7 or 8 10 lug air brake and no more than 4.88 ratio.
And I am shopping for lowest price.
I will get new matchin rear third member since my gears are worn out
Trying to convert my tandem axles 6x4 freightliner to a 4x4.
And preferably the axle would be in CA or cheap shipping.
Vombrown
Mountain Man
Well guys and dolls... I made a decision today. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the super duty axles. I'm still going to buy the CUCV's, I just can't turn that down but I really want to do this coil over swap with the big Super 60 axles. So, I'm proceeding on. I'll move all the swap stuff over to my SNOW BEAR build thread but I was in the salvage yard today. Looking at those big beautiful bastards laying there, taunting me to do something stupid with them and I just couldn't leave them there. Factory limited slip in the back, 4.10 gears and all the pieces are still there. I'll pick them up with a couple of engines tomorrow I think.
I have a matching new Meritor RS23160 rear axle as well.
you beat me to it.. hah.. I was thinking the same thing...
or better yet.. buy me a set of mog axels with super fast gears (think 5:08's) and I will give you my disc'd 14b and d60 both with 4:56s and detroits.. just sayin
