Pullers: ODL Front Axle Options

[ComnRailPwr]

What are all you odl pullers doing for front axle? A buddy and I are wanting to make a change and not sure what to do and the best route to go. He lost a unit bearing when he broke a front axle last week and we are trying to prevent that. I know the option is there to use Ford parts and put spindles/drive flanges on but wondering if we are at the point to just go ahead and go to a bigger front axle. I know some use the Rockwell f-106 and I've heard some using 14bolt and even Dana 80 front that have been converted to steer axles. Just want to hear about some of your setups and what has worked best $$/reliability per say. We both want something strong to hold up, cut tires aren't out of the question in the future. We don't own a money tree and don't want to spend money in the wrong places. Feel free to school me on the f106 axles as I know little about them.

[ComnRailPwr]

Mods may move to driveline section, my mistake

[kjpcummins]

good luck. it always seems when I plan out a front axle the $$$ get out of hand quick. Cheapest would be to just find a fds75. I always like the idea of doing a d80 center could do a f106 center aswell then use reid super kingpin c&knuckles with 05+ ford unit bearings.

[zstroken]

Originally Posted by kjpcummins

good luck. it always seems when I plan out a front axle the $$$ get out of hand quick. Cheapest would be to just find a fds75. I always like the idea of doing a d80 center could do a f106 center aswell then use reid super kingpin c&knuckles with 05+ ford unit bearings.

I think the issue with the D80 is some limited ring and pinion ratios are available.

[ComnRailPwr]

Kyle, Is the fds75 the predecessor of the 106 or completely different family? Center drop wouldn't bother me a bit.

Yes the 80 does have limited r&p put is that a huge concern when gearing can be changed in the drop box to net the desired final drive? Regardless you are back at expensive axle shafts.

Ideally a larger non oem axle that holds up in stock form that can be narrowed would be best. Just not too up to par on non oem steer axles. To get s 60 built to the max you are 3-4k with Ford c and knuckles. Got to be a better option for the money or not much more with a bigger ring/pinion.

[97crewcab]

I am curious about this too.
I have the ford spindles and hubs to put on our current 60, but have not completed the swap yet. We put on at least one new unit bearing a year.
I am considering a dana 80 center as we can still get our ratio, and I have both a dana 80 and front dana 60 laying around. Seems like the dana 60 ring and pinions are the new weak link.

[kjpcummins]

Originally Posted by ComnRailPwr

Kyle, Is the fds75 the predecessor of the 106 or completely different family? Center drop wouldn't bother me a bit.

Yes the 80 does have limited r&p put is that a huge concern when gearing can be changed in the drop box to net the desired final drive? Regardless you are back at expensive axle shafts.

Ideally a larger non oem axle that holds up in stock form that can be narrowed would be best. Just not too up to par on non oem steer axles. To get s 60 built to the max you are 3-4k with Ford c and knuckles. Got to be a better option for the money or not much more with a bigger ring/pinion.

fds75 is a f106 steer axle

you realize a Dana 80 center axles shouldnt cost any different than a Dana 60 since the would be the same axles. i also dont see how using a dana 80 would have a limit on gearing no matter using a nv4500 or dropbox.

[kjpcummins]

Originally Posted by 97crewcab

I am curious about this too.
I have the ford spindles and hubs to put on our current 60, but have not completed the swap yet. We put on at least one new unit bearing a year.
I am considering a dana 80 center as we can still get our ratio, and I have both a dana 80 and front dana 60 laying around. Seems like the dana 60 ring and pinions are the new weak link.

Just swap your Dana 60 knuckles on the Dana 80 center if you cut the axle tubes correctly you just reuse your axles aswell.

[ComnRailPwr]

Originally Posted by kjpcummins

fds75 is a f106 steer axle

you realize a Dana 80 center axles shouldnt cost any different than a Dana 60 since the would be the same axles. i also dont see how using a dana 80 would have a limit on gearing no matter using a nv4500 or dropbox.

My Dana 60 is 35 spline and Dana 80 I have are 37 so they aren't the same. Do you mean they are the same overall OD size? Guess I could get 35 spline carrier for the Dana 80. I hadn't realized the Dana 80 35 spline would slide in a 35 spline 60 carrier, never tried.

[Persingerpulling]

You don't have to change the C's to run ford stuff. Need knuckles out from a ball joint 90s ford 60. Then can run 35spline outters/drive flanges.

[kjpcummins]

Originally Posted by ComnRailPwr

My Dana 60 is 35 spline and Dana 80 I have are 37 so they aren't the same. Do you mean they are the same overall OD size? Guess I could get 35 spline carrier for the Dana 80. I hadn't realized the Dana 80 35 spline would slide in a 35 spline 60 carrier, never tried.

I mean by using a dana 80 center section in the front you use your current Dana 60 axles shafts and buy the correct locker. or if using a arb air locker I believe you can step up to 40 spline inner axles.

[zstroken]

Originally Posted by kjpcummins

fds75 is a f106 steer axle

you realize a Dana 80 center axles shouldnt cost any different than a Dana 60 since the would be the same axles. i also dont see how using a dana 80 would have a limit on gearing no matter using a nv4500 or dropbox.

I think 5:38 is the lowest you can get for a D80, not sure where that lines up on the rear, obviously I suppose you could overdrive the front, isn't there a 5:83 rear? Just means a little more force on the driveshafts and drop box.

I thing a decent 1.5" front axle would do just fine(something from dutchman etc) and they aren't terribly expensive.

[kjpcummins]

Originally Posted by zstroken

I think 5:38 is the lowest you can get for a D80, not sure where that lines up on the rear, obviously I suppose you could overdrive the front, isn't there a 5:83 rear? Just means a little more force on the driveshafts and drop box.

I thing a decent 1.5" front axle would do just fine(something from dutchman etc) and they aren't terribly expensive.

plenty of people running 4.88s in their Dana 60 and using a 20-145 rear. A dana 80 front wpuld be no different. you can't use 6.20s but I don't see how that has any effect what so ever when using a drop box. as you can get any gear you need to use the final you desire.

[97crewcab]

Originally Posted by kjpcummins

Just swap your Dana 60 knuckles on the Dana 80 center if you cut the axle tubes correctly you just reuse your axles aswell.

That is what I was hoping to do. Then just use my aftermarket 35 spline axles that we already run with the ford spindles. It seems like my cheapest option if it works out.

[ComnRailPwr]

Originally Posted by 97crewcab

That is what I was hoping to do. Then just use my aftermarket 35 spline axles that we already run with the ford spindles. It seems like my cheapest option if it works out.

That does seem like the best option in your case being you already have the spindles.

[jones95runner]

Originally Posted by kjpcummins

plenty of people running 4.88s in their Dana 60 and using a 20-145 rear. A dana 80 front wpuld be no different. you can't use 6.20s but I don't see how that has any effect what so ever when using a drop box. as you can get any gear you need to use the final you desire.

When we were running 4.88 axle gears we were breaking back driveshaft parts almost every time we got on a good track. This was at around 1400hp, we were busting 1480 yokes on the drop box. Went to a billet 1480 yoke and started breaking the slip yoke or shaft.

Ended up having to go to 1610 stuff to get it to last

I built a steer 70 this winter with a spool and 6.20 gears, still running 35 spline axles and broke one inner and outer this year, those axles prob had 50 or so hooks on them. I'll have to go back and look but I found a place that would make me some 41 spline stuff to put in it.

[jones95runner]

I thought VERY long and hard about doing a 80, even picked one up first. But told my self I needed 6.20s worse than the extra strength the 80 would give me

I previously was running a HP60 and had broken nemoirous axles and only one r&p. The r&p was the last hook of the year and pushed me to go to something different.

Jantz had the 70 r&p rated at 30% stronger than a regular 60 so I felt it would suit me just fine being I wasn't going to change axles at the time.

[kjpcummins]

there are quite a few places you can get 40 spline axles for steer axles. branik seems to have stuff for every combination.

[jones95runner]

Originally Posted by kjpcummins

there are quite a few places you can get 40 spline axles for steer axles. branik seems to have stuff for every combination.

I think that's who I had looked at. Some pretty nice pieces. I had even thought about a 106 with ford outers with 40 spline shafts

[kjpcummins]

Originally Posted by jones95runner

I think that's who I had looked at. Some pretty nice pieces. I had even thought about a 106 with ford outers with 40 spline shafts

I really like this combo myself. The only thing I would of like to see from branik is the outer axle stub spline directly into the 05+ unit bearing instead of using a drive flange. Could drive the cost up on the outer stub. But rcv and ctm offer this.