front axle conversion

[wamoreau@yahoo.ca]

can any body tell me if a solid front axle from a 2001 bolt in a 97 obs

[95dieselsmoke]

yes, it can be done. but I have never done one. hopefully someone will be along soon to answer your question a little better. welcome to the .org!

[bigcountrysg]

It can be done yes. But I would find an older solid Dana 60 to swap in there.

reason why I say this is for a couple reasons.

1. Older dana 60's have serviceable wheel bearings the 2001 axle does not. So if a wheel bearing goes you will spend about 300 dollars per side for the sealed bearing assembly on the 01 axle.

2. The older dana 60's can be found at many part yards, in many different gear ratios. So you may be able to find one that will match your rear end gear ratio. So you will not have to buy a new set of gears.

3. Dana 60's are almost impossible to break.

[alberta 7.3]

Superduty axles have a different spring pad width and track width, would take fabbing/altering to install, not to mention a different wheel bolt pattern (metric.) As others mentioned above, you're better of finding a older ('97 and prior) Dana 60.

[bigcountrysg]

Alberta I didn't even think about the different lug pattern or track width. Two good points to bring up.

[wamoreau@yahoo.ca]

thanks for the info.i have one in roll over that i thought i could use but i guess ill sell it instead. what year of dana 60 will fit.

[Hamiltonbuilt]

I would like to do this same thing with my '96

[95dieselsmoke]

Originally Posted by bigcountrysg

Alberta I didn't even think about the different lug pattern or track width. Two good points to bring up.

I didnt think of it either. Alberta's on top of it

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by wamoreau@yahoo.ca

thanks for the info.i have one in roll over that i thought i could use but i guess ill sell it instead. what year of dana 60 will fit.

Well if you have a roll over parts truck. Swap both front and rears out.

They will work. You will just have to do some modification to the suspension on the truck.

For this I would recommend a custom four link set up in the front of the truck.

The rear all you should have to do is relocate the spring perches and shock mounts on the axle. Not that hard you can get them from summit racing. Then just weld them in the correct location on the axle tubes.

[JP667]

Originally Posted by bigcountrysg

For this I would recommend a custom four link set up in the front of the truck.

With a SD axle you don't have the room on the drivers side for a four link setup. Unless you weld to the cast housing of the axle.

You'll have to move your leaf springs out 3/4" on both side to make a SD axle work under a OBS. There is enough room on the driverside spring pad of the axles to move the spring mount in the 3/4" needed to mount the spring. You would just need to drill a new hole for the spring pin. And drill a hole in the webbing to get the U bolt through. The passenger side would just need ground off and rewelded on in the right spot.
If you can find them, you can run a BJ knuckle from a 91 to 97 on the SD axles to get the correct bolt pattern. Use the spindles,hub etc. off the TTB 50 thats in the truck.
I have an SD axle I am looking at putting under my OBS and have the BJ knuckles needed to change the bolt pattern. I plan on going to a reverse shackle setup. So moving the spring will be alittle easier than using the stock setup.