guido666
1/2 ton status
D60s seem to be so much, why not just get a Rockwell? Any downfalls to the Rockwell? Or the other way?
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Rockwell or D60?
- Thread starter guido666
- Start date
78Suburban
1/2 ton status
Rockwells are obsurdly heavy... and they have 6.72 gearing, so you need a 44" tire, minimum...
350k5
1/2 ton status
Really heavy and big. Also it has some pretty high gears, 6.72 and you will want to have some seriously large tires on there. Over 44's I think. And you would probably have to do a lot of modifications make those things fit.
guido666
1/2 ton status
Why? I would think just enough lift so that the pinion doesn't hit your engine. And driveshaft mods of course.350k5 said:
guido666
1/2 ton status
Military tires are far cheaper then civilian ones though. So 46" tires are no problem.
350k5
1/2 ton status
Yeah, your right it woudln't be a lot of mods, but I doubt it would be very easy to do so. 2 1/2 ton axles under a 1/2 ton truck... my guess is they don't just bolt in.
85mudblazin
1/2 ton status
Please search, this topic has been covered countless times.
Ill break it down for ya:
Need to push the axle forward about 6" to clear the oil pan.
Will either need alot of lift or redesign the engine crossmember to clear the top loader chunk.
Dont forget the odd lug pattern and if you plan to run military wheels better get military tires while your at it as finding a radial type tire in that size will be next to impossible.
Ill break it down for ya:
Need to push the axle forward about 6" to clear the oil pan.
Will either need alot of lift or redesign the engine crossmember to clear the top loader chunk.
Dont forget the odd lug pattern and if you plan to run military wheels better get military tires while your at it as finding a radial type tire in that size will be next to impossible.
guido666
1/2 ton status
Anyone here do it? Considering that axles only connect to the truck at the springs, the driveshaft, the brakelines, and the drag link, how hard could it be?
guido666
1/2 ton status
85mudblazin said:
Sorry, we were both posting at the same time. I did search, but didn't see anything in the first several pages, so I figured I would ask.
Rockwell axles either need to be converted to disc brake or pinion brake... pinion brake isn't legal in most states.
A Rockwell steer axle with its drum brakes stripped off weighs the same as a Chevy 60.
You need a lot of lift to clear the toploader.
The axles are pretty wide.
They don't turn very sharp. You pretty much need to run two steer axles.
By the time you get enough lift to clear the toploaders you need big tires... which means you want to keep it wide for both stability and turning reasons... soon it doesn't fit a lot of places and isn't streetable.
The initial cost is cheap. It's everything after it that it gets expensive... especially if you don't want to be trailer trash.
A Rockwell steer axle with its drum brakes stripped off weighs the same as a Chevy 60.
You need a lot of lift to clear the toploader.
The axles are pretty wide.
They don't turn very sharp. You pretty much need to run two steer axles.
By the time you get enough lift to clear the toploaders you need big tires... which means you want to keep it wide for both stability and turning reasons... soon it doesn't fit a lot of places and isn't streetable.
The initial cost is cheap. It's everything after it that it gets expensive... especially if you don't want to be trailer trash.
guido666
1/2 ton status
Fair enough. Someday I'd like to build something with them. Maybe I'll just buy a Duece & a Half. What fun that would be! 
85mudblazin
1/2 ton status
guido666
1/2 ton status
I read that one. Didn't really answer the questions I was asking.85mudblazin said:
guido666 said:Fair enough. Someday I'd like to build something with them. Maybe I'll just buy a Duece & a Half. What fun that would be!
I was going to. I had a source for 2 "runable" rockwell steer axles for a grand. Rockwells are more suited to 53s and a tube buggy. Where I live now that doesn't make sense.
I ended up buying a Ford HP60. I'll end up having about as much money tied up in it but it'll be streetable.
85mudblazin
1/2 ton status
yea and they will plow over a field of money treesjekbrown said:one name: Ouverson. 2" shafted rockies own all.
j
beater_k20
Banned
350k5 said:
6.72s are actually low gears... higher number = lower gears
Leper
1/2 ton status
beater_k20 said:
He meant numericaly high.
54inches
1/2 ton status
CyberSniper said:
The last statement is 50% true, the initia investment is cheaER, but from what I have read (and not actually expeienced) it is a ton more difficult to break these than a Dana or 14 bolt.
I mean you abuse anything, it is going to break after awhile, but these things are BEASTS.
Please correct me if I have misrepresented any information. I am still learning as well.
