Ruff Stuff "Third Member" axle housings???

[handloader90]

Hey,

So I’ve been looking around for a Dana 60 and 14 Bolt Free Float for my ’76 K10 SWB and in the process I ran across these axle housings on the Ruff Stuff Specialties website. Its bare axle housing, they make a Dana 60 style one and a 14 Bolt style one among others.

How does the third member work? I’ve done a little research, but figured I’d ask on here to get a clear explanation.

Is it basically putting a removable diff cover on the opposite side of the axle housing that holds the gears?

If somebody could explain this in full to me I would really appreciate it. I will keep doing my research in the meantime.

What all would have to be done to an axle housing of this style to make it functional? Welding the axle housing ends on etc.?

Is it a better and stronger alternative as opposed to a Dana 60 and 14 Bolt?

What is procedure of changing gear oil out on an axle like this? Remove drive shaft, unbolt 3rd member, drain, bolt back up and fill?

Are there any other manufacturers that make an axle housing of this style that would be considered better than the Ruff Stuff one?I’m looking for the best bang for my buck, but I’m also looking for strength.

What would be a ballpark figure for all parts that would be needed to get these axles functional?

Here are some photos of the “Solid 14 Axle Housing” taken from Ruff Stuff Specialties site.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The center section is a drop out, like a Toyota or Ford 9". They are an aftermarket idea. Check out these.

They're super awesome and mostly aimed at the racing crowd, putting one together from scratch is many times more expensive than starting with junkyard axles.

 

[handloader90]

Damn... just the center section alone is $1,500ish.

I didn't know that they'd be that much, I saw the price on the housing and it sparked some interest, but $2,000 for the housing and center section alone per axle is pretty pricey.

 

[Deuling]

Damn... just the center section alone is $1,500ish.

I didn't know that they'd be that much, I saw the price on the housing and it sparked some interest, but $2,000 for the housing and center section alone per axle is pretty pricey.

Yah, now add shafts, gears, hubs and brakes. And I would hope a locker if you were that deep already

 

[Kay86K5]

Yah, now add shafts, gears, hubs and brakes. And I would hope a locker if you were that deep already

that, plus either perches/shock mounts to get it to bolt up to leafs, or link it. Crap adds up. Freaking awesome if you want to do U4 stuff, but junkyard wheeling, little too pricy if you ask me.

Best bang for your buck is a 14 bolt full float from a junkyard. There are so many of them, you can pick em up for a couple hundred bucks. D60's take some more money, but still, could probably find one with some goodies (not all goodies) for under $1000. Can always go with a d44 and put some money at them. They can be pretty strong with some money and still be cheaper than a d60. I guess it just depends on what you want to do with your truck

 

[Stomis]

Yeah the third member stuff is super pricey. Fabd housings are getting cheaper and cheaper. I guess companies finally realized theres a lot of guys out there making housings with an alignment bar and its not such a specialty anymore. They also have this for a dana 60 FYI called a super 60.

Honestly I wouldnt waste my time though. If you're gonna go with a bling custom axle I would get a ruffstuff or diamond 9in housing and put 14bff outers on it.

 

[Deuling]

that, plus either perches/shock mounts to get it to bolt up to leafs, or link it. Crap adds up. Freaking awesome if you want to do U4 stuff, but junkyard wheeling, little too pricy if you ask me.

Best bang for your buck is a 14 bolt full float from a junkyard. There are so many of them, you can pick em up for a couple hundred bucks. D60's take some more money, but still, could probably find one with some goodies (not all goodies) for under $1000. Can always go with a d44 and put some money at them. They can be pretty strong with some money and still be cheaper than a d60. I guess it just depends on what you want to do with your truck

True dat. It's too bad the third members, aftermarket inner C's and knuckles are so pricey. Because if they were a decent price you could have a wicked 60 front for a price that would be damn close to if you were to completely go through a stocker... (Unless you robbed the C's and knuckles from a stocker but that kinda defeats the purpose)

 

[ktmoutfront]

9 years ago, my Currie extreme duty nodular 9"+ was $5200 retail plus the brake system. Thank goodness they are family friends. Didn't pay half of that.

 

[Russell]

I am in the process of tendering a deal on one of these axles. I am budgeting 10k for when all is said and done.

 

[jekquistk5]

I am in the process of tendering a deal on one of these axles. I am budgeting 10k for when all is said and done.

buggy or penny?

 

[Deuling]

I am in the process of tendering a deal on one of these axles. I am budgeting 10k for when all is said and done.

One?

 

[Russell]

For Penny. And yup, for just the front. I have at 14BFF for the rear.

It'll cost 1700 for the axle housing with Cs installed, 2k for all the 3 link brackets, truss, steering ram mount, shock tabs, limit strap brackets etc. Add another 1600 for the 3rd member, 1000 for an ARB locker, 1000 for gears, 1000 for axle shafts, 500 for brakes add shipping in for everything and you're easily at 10k.

That said, RuffStuff isn't going to be able to even start building this axle until the end of July. I'm probably just going to track down another Ford D60 to bolt in for now. I'll upgrade to the big axle later. I'll focus on getting my suspension problems fixed and let a new housing fix my alignment problems for the time being