Rockwells

[ignerntkneece]

I found a set a 2.5 ton rockwells in my areas local sale paper for $1100 would it be logical to drive these axles on the road? Is that a good price? What kind of gear ratios do they make for those? Are they wider than say a full size axle?

 

[hitech_hick]

I found a set a 2.5 ton rockwells in my areas local sale paper for $1100 would it be logical to drive these axles on the road? Is that a good price? What kind of gear ratios do they make for those? Are they wider than say a full size axle?

$1,100 seems a bit steep, as for using these axles on a DD, I wouldn't recommend it. The gearing should be 6.72's, they are wider than full sized axles, but you can flip the hubs to make them a somewhat reasonable width. One thing to consider with these axles is the weight. They are enormous, somewhere in the range of 1,000 #'s a piece.


hick

 

[projectnitemare]

Is that for two fronts or a front and a rear? $1100 is a little steep but if they are in good shape it might be worth the extra money. They are way wider than a 1 ton axle but like said before the hubs can be reversed and with the correct wheel you can get them to a decent width but still under a ranger they will stick out. You could have them narrowed but remeber the tubes are 3/8in thick. You can get a lot of weight off them too, loose the drum brakes and you'll save almost 200lbs, you can get them close to 1 ton axle weight. 6.72 is the only ratio. They like to eat pinion bearings from time to time, hydro steering is pretty much a must and illegal, pinion brakes are an option but illegal as well.

Matt

 

[Toreadorranger]

Is that for two fronts or a front and a rear? $1100 is a little steep but if they are in good shape it might be worth the extra money. They are way wider than a 1 ton axle but like said before the hubs can be reversed and with the correct wheel you can get them to a decent width but still under a ranger they will stick out. You could have them narrowed but remeber the tubes are 3/8in thick. You can get a lot of weight off them too, loose the drum brakes and you'll save almost 200lbs, you can get them close to 1 ton axle weight. 6.72 is the only ratio. They like to eat pinion bearings from time to time, hydro steering is pretty much a must and illegal, pinion brakes are an option but illegal as well.

Matt

To set those axles up to run on the street gets really pricey fast. your better off buying a set of 1 tons. Wheel brake kits are very expensive for rocks. Hydro isnt a must, but It would be nice. you could run Hydro assist but its still going to be hard since the chunk in the rocks sticks so far up.

 

[ignerntkneece]

Alright thanks... I didn't know much about those axles...

 

[hitech_hick]

Is that for two fronts or a front and a rear? $1100 is a little steep but if they are in good shape it might be worth the extra money. They are way wider than a 1 ton axle but like said before the hubs can be reversed and with the correct wheel you can get them to a decent width but still under a ranger they will stick out. You could have them narrowed but remeber the tubes are 3/8in thick. You can get a lot of weight off them too, loose the drum brakes and you'll save almost 200lbs, you can get them close to 1 ton axle weight. 6.72 is the only ratio. They like to eat pinion bearings from time to time, hydro steering is pretty much a must and illegal, pinion brakes are an option but illegal as well.

Matt

From what I have read, there are no laws regarding the need for a mechanical link between the steering wheel and the knuckles. Lots of heavy construction equipment (cement trucks for example) have full hydro steering. On some newer cars (Prius) it is an electrical link off of the steering wheel. As for the pinion brake, yeah, they are not street legal.



hick

 

[Evan]

From what I have read, there are no laws regarding the need for a mechanical link between the steering wheel and the knuckles. Lots of heavy construction equipment (cement trucks for example) have full hydro steering. On some newer cars (Prius) it is an electrical link off of the steering wheel. As for the pinion brake, yeah, they are not street legal.



hick

Also, modern commercial aircraft use hydro steering for the rudder, airlerons, and ground steering. I would say it's definitely safe. I have never seen any laws against full hydro, but they may exist.

And yes, driveline brakes are clearly illegal as you said.

 

[mhughes165]

full hydro systems on vehicles under 10k gvwr are illegal in all 50 states....

 

[JohnnyU]

full hydro systems on vehicles under 10k gvwr are illegal in all 50 states....

Got a link?

There's $1000 (I think) on the table regarding this issue on another forum. It's been running at least three years now, no one has been able to prove the case yet....

 

[Hahnsb2]

I've always heard full hydro was illegal on the internet and TV...

 

[mhughes165]

Got a link?

There's $1000 (I think) on the table regarding this issue on another forum. It's been running at least three years now, no one has been able to prove the case yet....

lemme see, i think i got it somewhere


the one i have is useless, im tryin to find the one with the specific statute number

 

[redneckracerx]

I have actually researched this and found them to be VERY cost prohibitive for street use. First of all the only ratio available is 6.72 so unless you're running a 44" or bigger forget cruising down the road. Then you have the width. To be completely legal (not just sunday legal!) You need to shorten the long side axle tube (square) 7". This makes it possible to use the short side axle in the long side, effectively making the chunk center. Now you'll need to flip the front hubs, making your wms-wms 69" which is standard 1-ton width.

After this is all done you now need to fit them under something. That center chunk you just relocated wants to take up the same space as your oilpan, the center chunk is 9.5" above the axle tube. If it hits your oilpan, guess who wins?

So you got the width and height taken care of, so how do you stop it? To be legal in NJ, CA, DE, PA, NY, CN, OH, TX and FL You need wheel brakes. (the other states IDK) The ONLY company that I saw that made a wheel brake I would trust my truck and life with was Overson Engineering. They make an awesome wheel brake kit and for what you're getting the price seems reasonable.

For steering you need a mechanical linkage in all 50 states. Unless you're putting these axles under a F-650 or a Chevy top-kick you'll need to use a push/pull steering box. This becomes a problem if you used a 4-link to lift your truck because when the suspension flexes so does your steering shaft, creating bump steer. I have seen a standard crossover steering setup, BUT, It really liked to break sector shafts in the steering box. Not what you want to happen while driving down the interstate.

IMO, If you need rocks because of breakage. You also need a tow rig and a trailer. If you need rocks cause it would be cool to run em on the road... You need to give me some of your money!



EDIT: As far as hydro-steering goes, These two laws are what prevents NJ from running hydro.
(1) Steering gear ratios and steering wheel left stop to right stop turns must be within 1/2 turn of the original manufacturers specifications.
(14) Releasing the steering wheel in a sharp turn shall result in an increase in turning radius.

 

[krugford]

I have been unable to find anything with respect to full hydro steering being illegal in the Iowa Code. I have also been unable to find any requirements for the mechanical design of a steering system for an on-highway vehicle...

EDIT: As far as hydro-steering goes, These two laws are what prevents NJ from running hydro.
(1) Steering gear ratios and steering wheel left stop to right stop turns must be within 1/2 turn of the original manufacturers specifications.
(14) Releasing the steering wheel in a sharp turn shall result in an increase in turning radius.

The increase in turning radius means that you need to have self centering steering to some extent. This is done with caster to introduce mechanical trail on the steering geometry. It could be done with a full hydro setup. As for the steering ratios and steering wheel stops, I don't see why those same features couldn't be designed into a full hydro setup as well. I am not advocating full hydro steering, nor do I intend to ever attempt to run it on the highway, I'm just trying to find where it specifically states it can't be used.

 

[redneckracerx]

Point taken, with enough caster the wheel will return. The fact that they say "steering GEAR ratios" leads me to believe they want a mechanical box. Stop to stop can be approximated with valving, cylinder dia. and throw.

 

[Evan]

This is an interesting discussion. I have always heard everywhere that hydro was illegal, but it looks like it's hard to say for sure that it is.