One ton questions

[NMB2]

From my experience a rear d60 isn't strong enough if you plan on running it hard. I would always explode the one that used to be in my 93 explorer.

shafts?

 

[4x4junkie]

Most likely. Rear FF D60s are almost always 30 spline (1.31" shafts, same as a D44) and you can't just slide 1.5" 35 spline shafts into it because the spindles are too small. The 10.25", GM 14-bolt, and D70 all come with 1.5" shafts.

Typically you want to have a rear axle that's stronger than your front, as it's the one doing 70-80% of the work when climbing a hill.

 

[1badexplorer]

shafts?

Yes mostly in my truck. I broke 12 shafts, ripped the axle shaft retaining bolts outta the flange on the rear hubs lots of times, and broke 2 carriers, and two ring gears in my 79 F250 mostly with 38 boggers sometimes with 35 ats and once with 33 ats Then on my explorer when I ran it I broke a couple shafts, and destroyed the carrier so bad that it made a 50 cent piece sized hole in the housing So my off road Bronco has a 14bt because thats what I had and it drags everywhere (not shaved) even on 44s and my truck has s 10.25 (direct bolt in swap for a f250) neither have let me down but I like the 10.25 better.

 

[NMB2]

so they were stock Dana60s?

what I'm getting at is you cant expect to wheel on many stock axles and they survive. Ive seen quite a few broken sterlings, a few 14b's but not many, and alot of stock rear 60 shafts. if you broke gears and carriers before 30spline shafts there was something else wrong with those Dana60's.

 

[1badexplorer]

so they were stock Dana60s?

Yes, they both had stock shafts. But I have been just as rough on the 10.25 & the 14b and they hold up better than a d60 did.

 

[NMB2]

Yes, they both had stock shafts. But I have been just as rough on the 10.25 & the 14b and they hold up better than a d60 did.

I agree, stock to stock the sterling and 14b are better than most dana60's. I was just trying to clearify if they were stock. I run a 60 rear, but I have a spool, aftermarket gears and 35spline chromoly shafts. SF axle too.

 

[1badexplorer]

I agree, stock to stock the sterling and 14b are better than most dana60's. I was just trying to clearify if they were stock. I run a 60 rear, but I have a spool, aftermarket gears and 35spline chromoly shafts. SF axle too.

Both of mine have aftermarket gears, and the one had a spool. But they both had stock shafts. Did you bore the axle tube out the fit the 35s?

 

[NMB2]

Both of mine have aftermarket gears, and the one had a spool. But they both had stock shafts. Did you bore the axle tube out the fit the 35s?

no, the SF dana60's come stock with 35spline shafts.

 

[crawlin91]

are there any disadvantages that you can think of running thick 538 gears on a (410and down) 14 bolt carrier? seems to me the thick gears would only add strength to the setup. depending how much I shave off, I may have the gears machined down as well.

 

[1badexplorer]

no, the SF dana60's come stock with 35spline shafts.

Oh, why did you choose do go use a semi float axle and not a full float.

 

[1badexplorer]

are there any disadvantages that you can think of running thick 538 gears on a (410and down) 14 bolt carrier? seems to me the thick gears would only add strength to the setup. depending how much I shave off, I may have the gears machined down as well.

I believe that on a 14b you have to run thick gears for on a 4.10 carrier if you plan on going deeper than 4.56. I think you will be fine with your combo.

 

[NMB2]

Oh, why did you choose do go use a semi float axle and not a full float.

save weight, save money. There is no strength difference between a SF and FF 35spline shaft, and under a 3400lb truggy I'm not worried about breaking a shaft anyways, so the ease of removal didnt matter much to me either with the FF. Not sure on exact weight figures but I know from picking them up, the SF 60 is significantly lighter than a FF, it has 3/8" tubes also.. Also shafts were cheaper and there was nothing to be machined to fit them.

 

[86ford]

Oh, why did you choose do go use a semi float axle and not a full float.

FF axles are intended to keep weight off the actual shaft. In a wheeling rig its not a terribly big deal because you wont be putting 10k on the axles. Regardless of if you run FF or SF swapping broken shafts sucks, only difference is if the tires/brakes come off or not. With the exception of 3rd member style axles.

86

 

[wahlstrom1]

I'd stick with 5.13's, you'll have a full tooth in contact at all times then....I've heard of ring/pinion issues when going to 5.38's with larger tires and higher horsepower.

 

[crawlin91]

I'd stick with 5.13's, you'll have a full tooth in contact at all times then....I've heard of ring/pinion issues when going to 5.38's with larger tires and higher horsepower.

I have a 2.9l