Project Guinea Pig

[prerunner]

Yeah there's no way I could justify buying that kit to my self.

I know, I'm in the same boat. In my case it'd be like buying my grandma a boobjob. A waste of money on my toilet of a truck. I'm just gonna stick with the simple Dana 60s. If I can f them up then a big buck 609 wouldn't survive either. I'd just as soon spend what little I can on the important stuff over bling. Leave that stuff to the Jeep guys.

I'm working for a construction company now, turning wrenches. They have a bad ass Miller wire feed and a tig welder. I have full access to every tool and piece of machinery they have now. After work as long as nothing's in the bay I can work on my shit.

Thats a lucky break. I'm off for a week with an injury but the weather and my empty bank account aren't cooperating. I'd like to tell myself I accomplished something during my offtime. I'll sure try though.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Be careful, don't aggravate that injury!
Yeah for sure!


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[prerunner]

My boss decided to not pay me until late Saturday and I missed the D60 rear. Trying to get a 10.25 as a replacement, 1993 F350 4.10 posi axle.
Its less money and I think stock for stock they're a better axle but limits me on locker and gear choices some. We'll see if its okay over the long run.

Edit: I have ischiogluteal bursitis, which in lay terms is a pain in the ass. lol

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Yeah that sounds like a real pain! Did you lift something too heavy?


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[prerunner]

Yeah that sounds like a real pain! Did you lift something too heavy?

No. Probably from "excessive sitting," which I'm prone to as a truck driver.
Yeah, its super painful to walk or sit right now unless I'm full of meds. Then I'm groggy and falling asleep. So mostly face down lately.
http://www.epainassist.com/sports-injuries/pelvic-groin-buttock-pain/ischiogluteal-bursitis

Hoping to pick up that axle tomorrow and get spring perches welded on before it gets home. Slight break in the weather tomorrow.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

That sounds like a major pain!


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[prerunner]

Guy wants to do the axle deal Saturday. Just as well. Not much energy now.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

I understand that. I had sciatic nerve problems earlier this year and I was completely incapacitated. It was excruciating!


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[prerunner]

Thats what I thought this was at first. Totally debilitating.
Glad you worked through yours.

Just realized that Jeep, spelled upside down is "beer", which explains some things. lol
I have had waay too much time on my hands.

So, I'm leaning towards sticking 5.38 gears in the 10.25 because I think thats as deep as you can get for them. Not too sure how good the factory LS is in the Sterling axle but if they're mediocre then weld it solid. If not, see how far it gets me. Also thinking I should weld the tubes to the center just for good measure.
Opinions?

Edit: the LS in the Sterling has clutches and are considered junk.

 

[prerunner]

Been watching YouTube videos of some local wheeling places and I'm getting the itch to get out there in them.
This trail is called "Fuct." The best trails are really creekbeds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcjvOysyvbE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uecXy0_cjtA
Lower fuct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tjopkkeTrI

Damn I miss wheeling.

 

[prerunner]

I just noticed the Craigslist ad for the 10.25 axle has been deleted. And here I wondered why he never returned my last email. I guess I know now.
I think in future I'll just surprise everybody by posting what I have *after* I buy it. Getting really tired of the Craigslist flakes in this town.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Damn that sucks!


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[prerunner]

After doing a bunch of research and price checking I've decided that the best bang for the buck rear axle for me is a Dana 60 (Okay, a few drinks also swayed me. lol )
First off, a Dana 60 is universal and well supported. Some D70 shafts fit in them. Its possible to upgrade to a D70 locker, ring & pinion. ( http://www.jantz4x4.com//jantz.php?p=detail&pro=jana_76 ) Thats beef in a small package.
The best choices seem to be E-350 axles built from the mid 90's til around 2004. They had disc brakes, 8 on 6.5 wheel pattern and a smooth bottom center casting (no need to shave.) The offset is 3.5 inches (or so, depending which source you used) to the right and these use relatively common 32 spline shafts. These shafts don't require the hubs to be bored out to accept 35 spline shafts.
Weight is 260 lbs (Important if you have to clean & jerk that mother into place solo.) (http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/axle_weights.shtml)
Thats 50 lbs less than the Sterling 10.25 and less than half the 14 bolt GM (now AAM) axle.
It'll wait a bit as I've had a couple weeks off and have dd insurance next payday, but having a specific goal simplifies the process a ton.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Well there you go! What about a 609???? Lol


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[Ford78]

I think a 60 rear fits really well in the rear of our trucks, plus you can get pretty much any locker or gearing u want. I know e350 axles are the better 60's , even if u can't get a hold of one of them I would be afraid to get a older one out of a 70's ford. U can get disk conversions from ruff stuff and mine has held up really well and most of the time they are dirt cheap.
I would still try to get help carrying one around , I did mine by my self and got a hernia from it( not fun).