D60 vs. Rockwell

[Vexy]

I plan on making my 96 B4000 a dedicated mud truck. The plans are at least 44" tires and a 460 BBF.

Would 1 tons hold up or should I go with 2.5 ton Rockwells?

 

[projectnitemare]

I'd say some sort of 1 ton. If you are trying to race this you will need some way of tuning. Rocks you will only have the factory 6.72 or a ouverson 4.90 ratio while any other factory axle will have a range of pretty much anything. You can pull some weight out of the 2.5 tons but 1 tons will be lighter. If you need it to be low slung the high pinion centerline on the rocks will be tough. They are strong though and have a good aftermarket now so you can really build them up.

 

[adsm08]

Well, D60 is a beefy axle and those Rockwells can be hard to find parts for, what with being alien technology and all that.

 

[Vexy]

It's going to strictly be for mud bogging. I heard from a few sources that if you are gonna go any bigger than 42's, you should really go with 2.5 ton's...especially with a big block turning the wheels. 6.72 is perfect since I'll be running huge tires anyways.

I just want to do things right the first time, ya know?

 

[projectnitemare]

I'd put a D60 with high dollar shafts up to a rockwell anyday. In all reality it would be just as cost effective to do that as 2.5 tons. But a 2.5 ton is bigger to start and can only get stronger from there. If the little extra weight and limited ratios aren't a concern I'd go for them. If you look you should be able to get a front and rear for less than $1200..little more for two steer axles. From there is can be as cheap or expensive as you want. Parts aren't hard to find if you know where to look, find guys who run them, make friends and you won't have problems finding anything.

 

[kryptonitecb]

Parts aren't hard to find for either as mentioned. My only beef is rockwells are HEAVY, unless you need the strength for monster tires I'd go tons. As far as hp strength both would work fine. If you have the know how you can do a 14bolt D60 hybrid too.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[4.0B2]

rockwells are the real budget axle, when you talk strength to dollar ratio...

personally, I'd do 14 bolt rear and 60 front.. but personally I'd build a crawler before a mud rig to.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

What type of "mud bogging" are you going to be doing? Racing in a pit, or playing in a swamp?

Personally if I was to build a truck for mud, it'd be +600hp on Rocks turning 60" rice and cane tires.
...but of I was racing, I'd have +800hp on tons turning cut 44" Boggers.

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[Vexy]

This won't be for mud drags, it will be trailered to events like Vermonster 4x4 and Yankee Lake Truck Night. Straight up mud bogging. I'm probably looking at running tractor tires. I'm just seriously torn between going 1 ton vs. 2.5 ton. Neither way is cheap so to speak...so I don't wanna regret it further down the road!

 

[kryptonitecb]

Copy what the other guys are doing. If most run one over the other they do so for reason. Hopefully the reasons are based on experience.

As in my case, I've broken a few things on my front axle and see all my buddies running tons without breaking. So its reasonable that if I want to do bigger badder stuff I need to upgrade in order to keep up with my desires to push my vehicle to that point.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[Vexy]

Copy what the other guys are doing. If most run one over the other they do so for reason. Hopefully the reasons are based on experience.

As in my case, I've broken a few things on my front axle and see all my buddies running tons without breaking. So its reasonable that if I want to do bigger badder stuff I need to upgrade in order to keep up with my desires to push my vehicle to that point.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

I am actually leaning towards running a built Dana 60 front and built 14 bolt rear with 44" boggers. Any bigger than that is a little ridiculous and will get crazy expensive, not to mention the extreme amount of custom fabrication needed to put Rockwells under my truck

 

[kryptonitecb]

It can be done with springs, mudding doesn't need articulation like rock crawlers do. Top loaders would keep your drive shafts at a good angle. Plus if you have the means to transport a m-duece you'll have your axles for the cost minus what you get back in scrap. Keep in mind those things weigh in at well over 5 tons so you will make a good amount at a scrap yard.

Drive shaft brakes and other goodies are what makes a rockwell swap $$$$

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[projectnitemare]

If you are going horsepower and ag tires, rockwells are the way to go. The problem with rockwells is the weight, width, brakes and steering. Some issues are due to the tires you are able to run and others like brakes depend on what you are doing. If you are in a hurry rockwells and parts will be expensive, take your time they are cheap. You can build a mud buggy as cheap or expensive as you want really.

 

[Vexy]

Thanks everyone!