Military axles

[Stepside Billy]

I have a chance to get a FF 14 bolt axle with a Detroit locker and Dana 60 front axle both with 4:56 gears. Has anyone run these with a 350 and 700r4 tranny? I want to know what size tires are good for this setup. Truck is set up for light wheeling but I think it's better than the 10 bolt axles I currently have. Thanks!

 

[firebane]

well you could essentially run whatever tire size you wanted. but you didn't mention if you had a lift and that 700r4 may not last.

 

[Stepside Billy]

No lift, rock stock. Just something I was kicking around in my head! This is my first squarebody 4x4 that I can really build up. So I'm just seeing what I can get away with. I plan to do the engine and transmission with upgraded parts in the near future.

 

[highdesertrange]

well you are right in that those axles are certainly an up grade. but without overdrive or huge tires you will have zero top end. I would not rely on a 350 or 700. highdesertranger

 

[Stepside Billy]

well you are right in that those axles are certainly an up grade. but without overdrive or huge tires you will have zero top end. I would not rely on a 350 or 700. highdesertranger

Thanks for the responses. I want to build it right the first time as this will be the first truck I can finally do up right so I'll be asking a lot of questions and doing tons of research seeing what others have done and what works and what doesn't.

 

[bucket]

33's or 35's would be a good match for a 700r4 and 4.56 gears.

 

[MadOgre]

Thanks for the responses. I want to build it right the first time as this will be the first truck I can finally do up right so I'll be asking a lot of questions and doing tons of research seeing what others have done and what works and what doesn't.

35s would be perfect for a 700R4 and 4.56 gears. 33s would be ok too just would put the RPMs up a bit which you might like?

If you want to build it right the first time then put in a 4L80!. But if you have a decent 700R4 like 88' and up then it should be just fine, as long as you don't go more than 35s.

I have a 90' 700r4 and 4.10s with 33s and it runs just fine. I even used it with 3.42s and 33s just tried to stay out of OD unless I was doing a good speed. You will be fine with 4.56s and 35s

The Achilles heal of the 700r4 is the heat generated in OD if the lock up torque converter is not working. And driving in OD at low RPMs. The higher the RPMs in OD with the TC locked, the happier that 700R4 will be!

 

[jmbcary44]

the d60 14bolt combo from what I have read is the preferred swap into most of the square bodies due to the fairly simple swap, the 60 will likely require some mods and the 14 from what I have read depending on year and model may require new mount for shocks and leafs to welded.

While I don't know much about the transmission issue that is being mentioned, if you can get a deal on them I wouldn't pass it up especially if they are the 5/4 ton military ones with the Detroit in the rear. you could even sell them for a profit likely if you have a good line on them.

or sell em to me! im looking too but cant affords what im finding them for.

the xtreme offroad show on spike tv just did an episode on regearing both these axles too which you may want to try and find and there is a 14bolt and dana 60 'bible' on another forum which I will give you through PM if you like since im not sure if I can link another forum on here

 

[Stepside Billy]

These are the same axles that Four Wheeler Magazine is using on the Bug Out Blazer project they're building. The front Dana 60 is pretty much a bolt in swap but the 14 bolt needs the spring pearches and shock mounts moved. I like the swap because I get the better axles, better gearing and a locker.

 

[bucket]

You can also install spring hangers and shock mounts from a 1-ton truck, rather than moving perches on the axle. Either way works fine, there are good points to both.

 

[crazy4offroad]

This gives you an idea of your road speed with 35" tires, 700r4, np208 t-case (assuming that's what you have, but for this, 1:1 is all that matters) and 4.56 gears...

 

[jmbcary44]

These are the same axles that Four Wheeler Magazine is using on the Bug Out Blazer project they're building. The front Dana 60 is pretty much a bolt in swap but the 14 bolt needs the spring pearches and shock mounts moved. I like the swap because I get the better axles, better gearing and a locker.

that build is pretty cool was reading yesterday. I also have a similar chart to the above hope it helps.

 

[Stepside Billy]

Thank you all for the info! Yeah, that Blazer is gonna be pretty cool. I'll get some good ideas from it although I won't build mine as hardcore as that but I can adapt some of the stuff to my truck. I priced those front axle shafts and the go for over $2000!! Good for the Zombie Apocalypse but a little rich for my blood!!

 

[Boonie]

I built a shortbed with a D60 and 14bolt years ago. 4.56 gears, built 454 roller motor, built 700R4, and a np205. Truck ran great with 35 inch swampers. Used it for a dd for years.

 

[Stepside Billy]

I built a shortbed with a D60 and 14bolt years ago. 4.56 gears, built 454 roller motor, built 700R4, and a np205. Truck ran great with 35 inch swampers. Used it for a dd for years.

My goal is to make it a dd and be able to drive to my Grandson's house in Syracuse about 4 hours away. There's some mud bogs and truck shows we want to go to.