Narrowing a 68/newer 3/4 ton rear axle, anyone done it?

[Captainfab]

Why scrap it? Why not put it on CL or some other classifieds. Even if you sell it for $50.00. You'd be lucky to get $10.00 out of it for scrap.

Not all full floater 14 bolts are dually differentials. They were used on C/K20/2500's as well.

Originally Posted by buckroseau

Yeah I didn't think so. Probably end up getting a few bucks back in scrap. Oh well.

This came out of a 98 C2500. From what I can gather on the internet it is a full floater dually axel. And it didn't come out of a dually.

[buckroseau]

I can toss it CL and see if I can get something for it. You guys are right, a few bucks is better than nothing.

I've been searching CL tonight for K2500 suburban's. See if I can find one being parted out and give that a try. If I pop a wheel now I know what I'm looking for. Hopefully...

Matt

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

As previously mentioned, you might also be able to use a cab and chassis dually axle, since they are narrower; I think something like 63".

If you are OK with 4.10's you can also just stick a 4.10 third member in the existing Eaton rear.

YMMV, but I recently realized I actually have 4.57's and a tach that reads slow in my C30 I drive everywhere. Have you driven the truck any at this point?

I'm ok with 4.10, was hoping for 3.73. Would the 3rd member from this 98 axle work in the existing Eaton rear end?

And yes, I've driven it a few miles. The clutch was a little week and so were the brakes. I guess after sitting 30 years you have to expect that. I replaced the dizzy last week with an HEI, new plugs, wires..that made a big difference. I replaced the manifold gaskets, had a healthy leak. The oil lines leading to the oil filter on the manifold were leaking, at least one was, so I ordered up new ones. I've also got a new master cylinder and slave coming this week.

After driving it a few feet I knew I wanted to gear it up. The thing is geared like a grain truck.

Matt

[Mathew21]

buckroseau- Here's a post I made about axle widths awhile ago. Read the response #4.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=620030

[buckroseau]

I ended up buying another axle this morning. It was in a running 97 c3500. This time I had the seller pull the wheels so I could measure. It was 65.625 exactly. Paid a little more but at least I have one now. Heading back over to the guys place tomorrow after work with my torch to cut it out. I'll take a few pics tomorrow night and post them up. This axle is not a full floater.

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by buckroseau

I ended up buying another axle this morning. It was in a running 97 c3500. This time I had the seller pull the wheels so I could measure. It was 65.625 exactly. Paid a little more but at least I have one now. Heading back over to the guys place tomorrow after work with my torch to cut it out. I'll take a few pics tomorrow night and post them up. This axle is not a full floater.

Great, It sounds like you found what you needed.

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Mathew21

Great, It sounds like you found what you needed.

It would seem so? I will take a few pics of the axle when I get it home tomorrow night.

Few pics from tonight. New oil lines showed up today so decided to throw those on real quick. When I replaced the exhaust manifold gasket and tipped the manifold away from the engine the old, dried up lines cracked and broke. Got the HEI tweeked a bit as well. This thing starts like it's fuel injected now.

Matt

[buckroseau]

Went and got the axle later this afternoon. $200 bucks of goodness. I cut the existing mounts off, didn't get a pic of that. I think tomorrow I'm going to drop it off at the sandblaster and get it cleaned up prior to working on it.

Matt

[66Submarine]

That is actually a full floating 10.5" 14 bolt, not the 9.5" semi floating version.

I might have to see about getting one...

[66Submarine]

Was it a dually or a SRW truck?

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

Was it a dually or a SRW truck?

1997 C3500 2wd. SRW. 4.10 ratio.

[Captainfab]

If you need a set of trailing arm mounts, let me know. I make them specifically for the larger axle tubes on the 14 bolts.

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

If you need a set of trailing arm mounts, let me know. I make them specifically for the larger axle tubes on the 14 bolts.

Thanks for the offer. I think I'm actually getting a set I believe you made. A member contacted me offering to sell a set he had bought from you. He ended up going a different route and didn't need them. So I'm assuming they will fit this axle? I should have them next week sometime.

I ended up torching the brackets off last night and also removing the drums and brake parts. Flap disc'd the axle smooth. Just dropped it off at the sandblaster a few minutes ago. Just easier to work with clean metal.

Matt

[buckroseau]

Picked up the axle from the sandblaster today. Not building a show truck by any means but much nicer to work and weld clean metal.

When I got home tonight I shot a heavy coat of ppg dp90 keep it from rusting. I left the axle tube bare where I need to weld in brackets.

Matt

[Captainfab]

Looks good

I agree on the blasting to get it cleaned up and nice to weld on. That's how I do it when possible.

[Ozzy2013]

Looks good.

[LuckyLightning]

Looking real good buckroseau! I have the same truck ('62 C20 w/235) with the same gearing (Owner's Guide says either 4:57 or 5:14). The first time I took it out, I was stunned that I can only move about 10 feet in 1st gear before I have to shift! Probably great for hauling stuff, but not highway cruising (I have yet to leave my neighborhood going over 40mph).

Where did you get the oil filter lines? I need to order some as well.

Keep an eye on your clutch hose. Mine leaked, and I think this is common. I ordered my new line from Inline Tube (part no: CTH60001). I ordered from them about a month ago and the line needed a little bit of persuasion to get in, but it's solid once in place. It looks like they changed their search function since I ordered from them, and now I can't locate the page it was on. You may have to call/email them for info.

I'm subscribing to this one, as I plan to do the same kind of axle swap.

[buckroseau]

Managed to get the old axle out tonight. I will say it didn't come out easy. But with help of the torch and the BFH it eventually came out.

Need to fab up a jig now to mark a few things. Plan on cutting the pan hard bracket off and welding that onto the new axle as well.

Question on the those 2 swing arm. Are those flat stock pieces of metal that are kinda peeling away factory? I'm sure they are, but just wanted to make sure. I ordered a reinforcement kit and I'm wondering those should be cut off?

Matt

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by LuckyLightning

Looking real good buckroseau! I have the same truck ('62 C20 w/235) with the same gearing (Owner's Guide says either 4:57 or 5:14). The first time I took it out, I was stunned that I can only move about 10 feet in 1st gear before I have to shift! Probably great for hauling stuff, but not highway cruising (I have yet to leave my neighborhood going over 40mph).

Where did you get the oil filter lines? I need to order some as well.

Keep an eye on your clutch hose. Mine leaked, and I think this is common. I ordered my new line from Inline Tube (part no: CTH60001). I ordered from them about a month ago and the line needed a little bit of persuasion to get in, but it's solid once in place. It looks like they changed their search function since I ordered from them, and now I can't locate the page it was on. You may have to call/email them for info.

I'm subscribing to this one, as I plan to do the same kind of axle swap.

5.14 makes sense. The few times I've driven the truck it was geared LOW! The thing was howling at 40 mph. I'm this axle will make a huge difference.

Link to the oil lines I bought off the ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281431999623...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[LuckyLightning]

My '62 C20 has those metal strips on the trailing arms too. It's funny, because I was also wondering if they were factory.

I'm glad to hear someone else heard the same howling at 40mph! I thought I was gonna have one more thing to dig into.

[Captainfab]

The C20's had those extra reinforcements on the trailing arms. The bad part about those is that they trap dirt and moisture and rust away both parts.

[buckroseau]

Started fabbing up the jig tonight to transfer the mount locations over to the new axle. Also marked the pan hard bracket location and brake tab location.

Question: anyone know if speedway or anyone else makes a T or hose that goes from the 3/16 brake line to metric?

[Captainfab]

You can buy Metric to SAE line adapter fittings. They are Edelmann #271300 or Weatherhead #1442.

[buckroseau]

Few pics from tonight. Copying a few other people on other threads to do the axle swap. Welded up a pinion angle bracket. Also used the 3/4" washer trick in the mounting hole. Used the tractor to move the old axle out and new axle in. Lot easier than doing it by hand.

Matt

[buckroseau]

Few more pics. I got Captainfab's axle brackets tacked in the with the welder. Few side pics of the pinion angle. Sure seems steep, but that's what the other axle angle was I guess.

Matt