ok guys need some advice... 35 spline cromo or rockwells

[Steve GMC]

well i keep blowing up my front 60 and am up in the air about what to do. i really want to do rocks but where im at right now i just dont have the coin to do 2 steering rocks (yes i want rear steer, if im doin it im goin balls out) then all the goodies to convert to 8 lug. (not oversons kit, i found a diff kit) but that would put me at prob 2500-3g. but heres where im at, im affraid im gonna spend 500 on 35 splines. and hubs, take her out and blow those up, then im gonna be pissed when i coulda just saved that 500 and put it towards the rocks... what are you guys running with 35 splines? any problems? what are the limitations of 35 splines? my truck is an 83 k30, 8" lift, 42" tsls, 496/4500/205... she makes some power and i use it when i need it. so far ive broken my ring n pinion had that replaced with yukons and havent had a problem since. but i broke 1 outer in the mud and 1 outer at a truck pull... i wasnt even doin any crawling (shes an all around rig) but im just stuck and confused... give me some advice...


thanks a ton

steve

 

[MNorby]

I was breaking a bunch of hubs and a few stubs in my 60 with 40s. I put chromo stubs and flanged on and so far have been pretty lucky with 43s. I even get on it pretty hard doing front digs but never when bound up.

 

[blazinzuk]

with rocks you need rear steer takes 40 acres and a court order to turn a rig with only a front steering rock around

Hard to say here I have found two steering rocks for less than 350 each but didnt' have the money

I think you might just be better off getting saving up and getting chro mo inner and outers with drive flanges. If you are breaking ring and pinions mabey getting them cyrod, what ratio are you running if are running 5.13s try going back to stock like 4.10s

remember there are many associated costs with rocks some folks don't think of. new brake lines drive lines any rebuilding they might need ( new boots usually at least) mounting your rams for steering etc etc etc. Just like any other project it can spiral out of control quickly. The two freinds I have that have put rocks under thier rigs have about 3k into the swap thats still running the rockwell pattern

 

[rdn2blazer]

I have Cromos and before I install them I'm sending them out for Cryogen treating. Lots of info on this subject on Pirate4x4. That should help make them good and strong. It's pretty affordable from what I have read. Petersens 4 wheel & offroad "Willys work bench" did a write up on the subject. I kept the article as refference. He does it to all his axles before intallation. Never has broke one. The company he used is local and affordable.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Sounds like you are running just the stock 30-spline stubs that are breaking? If so simply going to either stock or chromo 35-spline stubs makes a huge difference. Most of the problem is that the stock 30-spline versions are substantially smaller/weaker, the other problem is that most people are running used ones that are 20+ years old.

I broke two 30-spline stubs, and when I pulled them to swap to 35-splines a third one was twisted pretty bad and ready to break. That was with 38" tires and a 150 HP 6.2 engine. Since swapping in 35-spline chromo Yukons (just barely more expensive than Spicers) and going to 39.5" tires I've had no problems. I put in brand new Spicer inners and Spicer u-joints several years ago also.

I shopped around quite a bit to find the best price on the stubs then found a set of flanges on sale and the total cost was probably around $300 (several years ago).

This is a buddy of mine during a ride a couple of weeks ago. He has Yukon chromo inners and outers (35-spline) and some type of bling joints. Aired down 42's and a built 460 and sees this type of action on a regular basis...video doesn't do this justice as it's a steep hill with about a 4' high rock at the stop.
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/stevenstroud/?action=view&current=RoysRidge.flv

He ran Spicer inners and 35-spline stubs and Spicer joints for years. He did finally break a Spicer 35-spline stub but part of the reason for the breakage was the spindle bearing was shot and had worn a groove in the shaft right where it broke.

 

[owenst7]

bgreen on here is running 35 splines and flanges with 52" AGs and a Caddy to my knowledge. I have not seen him mention problems with it in the three years I've been on his board. I believe he did shred a 14 a while back, but I believe it was because the locker was around a decade old and failed.

Most guys back home are running 60s with 35 splines. 42-44" boggers are fairly norm, with a 38" being on the small end of things and many running AGs on their buggies. I don't hear of very many breakdowns due to the front end.

 

[Steve GMC]

well ive been looking into just doing full cromo, alloy usa inners/outers,or ten factory shafts, longfield u joints and warn premium hubs... the shafts say they have a 10 year warenty and the longfields are lifetime... that combo is about 1300... do you think that would be about as strong as a stock rockwell??? keep the advice coming. much appreciated. ohh and my gears now are 4.88s