d70 vs 14 bolt rear axles

[macgyvr]

Yes I did a search on this forum, this has been discussed before but there really wasn't a firm opinion either way on the matter.

I'm wanting to build a fairly inexpensive rear axle to run 38x12.5x15 TSLs. I have the choice of either a 14 bolt or d70 rear for a really good price. Both axles are dually axles.

My first question is that I'm going to run a front d60 from late 70's Ford. How will the width of either one of these rear axles compare?

I'm going to run disc brakes on whichever one i choose. Will I have to spend more money and change anything on the outters of these axles to run single rear wheels?

Which axle is the better purchase?

Whichever axle I end up running I am in all probablility going to shave it to a certain extent...

mac 'finally going big so i dont have to go home' gyvr

 

[BrettM]

both are pretty much bullet-proof, if you have friends that run one or the other, use the same so you have parts and spares compatibility. otherwise just flip a coin. shave and disc whichever one you do get.

 

[BrettM]

oh, just thought of something else:

D70s can go as low as 7.17, 14bolts only go to 5.13, so that's a pretty big advantage for the D70

 

[jmop]

One nice thing about the 14 bolt is the axle shafts are the same for the Cab & Chassis dually as it is for the single rear wheel. So all you have to change to go to SRW is the hubs. I am not sure about the 70.

 

[ashmanjeepxj]

oh, just thought of something else:

D70s can go as low as 7.17, 14bolts only go to 5.13, so that's a pretty big advantage for the D70

This is ture but a dana 60 ford front will only allow a 5.13, I havent foudn any dana 70 5.88 gears (deepest the RC d60 can go).

If you do a dana 80 then you can do the 5.88 gears.

If you do the 14 bolt your stuck with the 5.13s.

The 70 casting like mine was easy to grind a good 1in off the bottom, it has better clearance then my front d60, I cant grind that cause of the oiling chamber.

If you find either for cheep,get it. The d70s use different axle shafts for the different width where as the 14bolts use the same shafts just different hubs for 65 vs 67in WMS. 14 bolts are also cool cause they have a third pinnion bearing, they also have adjustable bearing preload on the carrier, the dana's arent like that. 14 bolts have a larger OD spindle then the d70, its spindel is the same a d60 but reimed larger for larger shafts. Both are strong enough, the d70 is easier to get better clearance out of, if your plan to cut and weld the bottom just do the 14bolt, much more common.

Either would be just as easy to do the disk swap on.

Have fun.

 

[XJoachim]

Here is a vote for the D70, you just have to carry 1 axle shaft as a spare because both sides are same length. I have also chosen a standard cut D60 so i'm not limited in gear choices. Have 5.86 now and will go 7.17 later this year.

 

[ashmanjeepxj]

Here is a vote for the D70, you just have to carry 1 axle shaft as a spare because both sides are same length. I have also chosen a standard cut D60 so i'm not limited in gear choices. Have 5.86 now and will go 7.17 later this year.

Did you regear your d70 your self?
Do you know how to tell if you have a 0.500 offset gear or a 0.625 offset gear. I posted this on pirate in the Gen 4x4 forum, with no good reply's.

my carrier has a BOM: C35089
My ring gear: 11 19 75 DANA 34840 B3R70X 41 10 019

I measured the Thickness of the carrier where it bolts to the ring gear and its exactly 1/2in. so do I have a 0.500 in off set gear?

If so it looks like I want the 0.625in off set gears to get a 5.13 gear on a 4.10 carrier. Have you heard of a 0.125in spacer for a 0.500 off set gear?

 

[macgyvr]

Did you regear your d70 your self?
Do you know how to tell if you have a 0.500 offset gear or a 0.625 offset gear. I posted this on pirate in the Gen 4x4 forum, with no good reply's.

my carrier has a BOM: C35089
My ring gear: 11 19 75 DANA 34840 B3R70X 41 10 019

I measured the Thickness of the carrier where it bolts to the ring gear and its exactly 1/2in. so do I have a 0.500 in off set gear?

If so it looks like I want the 0.625in off set gears to get a 5.13 gear on a 4.10 carrier. Have you heard of a 0.125in spacer for a 0.500 off set gear?

hey asshole you're trying to steal my thread......lol


i have the opportunity to get either a d70 or 14 bolt for a very good price....!~!!!!!!! they are both dualie axles....how close are they to a d60 front in width.....

which is better the d70 or 14 bolts....


mac 'too many budweiser's' gyvr

 

[BrettM]

i think the consensus is GET EITHER ONE, they're both gonna be basically unbreakable with 38x12.50s, and then there are some slight pros and cons to each, you decide

 

[XJoachim]

Did you regear your d70 your self?
Do you know how to tell if you have a 0.500 offset gear or a 0.625 offset gear. I posted this on pirate in the Gen 4x4 forum, with no good reply's.

my carrier has a BOM: C35089
My ring gear: 11 19 75 DANA 34840 B3R70X 41 10 019

I measured the Thickness of the carrier where it bolts to the ring gear and its exactly 1/2in. so do I have a 0.500 in off set gear?

If so it looks like I want the 0.625in off set gears to get a 5.13 gear on a 4.10 carrier. Have you heard of a 0.125in spacer for a 0.500 off set gear?

I got the 5/8" offset gears on my "high" case so the 1/2" offset has to be used with the "low" case. You got the low case so you should be fine with 1/2" offset gears.

@macgyver
Every duallie axle will be a lot narrower than your full width 60, no matter if it's a 70 or 14B. You either will have to shorten the front 60 a bit or drive a funny looking XJ My duallie 70 is a bit narrower than my front 60 which is shortened about 4" but still is about 2" wider.

 

[BiggerIsBetter]

If you are planning on running a locker I know the Detroits for the 14 bolt are only $350. It seems 14 bolts are a lot more plentiful, atleast where I'm from so parts would be cheaper and easier to come by.

 

[MC-92]

I'd get a full width 9" and do 35 spline axles......

 

[Blatant]

As stated, if both are dually axles, you're going to run into width issues vs. a full-width front 60. Strengthwise, it's a toss-up. The Corporate axle will be a bit easier to set up R&P.

Personally, if I were running 38x12.50 TSLs (which are a smallish tire), I would run a regular 30-spline dime-a-dozen 60 in the rear. You should be able to pick that axle up for $150 every day of the week.
Dion

 

[ashmanjeepxj]

I got the 5/8" offset gears on my "high" case so the 1/2" offset has to be used with the "low" case. You got the low case so you should be fine with 1/2" offset gears.

How do you know I have the low case?
How can you tell?

I need to order gears.

 

[xj_punk]

I'd get a full width 9" and do 35 spline axles......

yeah except semifloat sucks imo...
i'd go for the 14ff for the pinion support and massive parts availability.
but, i wouldn't mind having a d70 either.
take whatever you can get!!!!

 

[ashmanjeepxj]

Personally, if I were running 38x12.50 TSLs (which are a smallish tire), I would run a regular 30-spline dime-a-dozen 60 in the rear. You should be able to pick that axle up for $150 every day of the week.
Dion

Why pay for something that needs to be upgraded?
If a d60 rear was free with good factory gears, pick it up and run it till it brakes, but Id only pay $150 for a larger d70 or 14bolt that wont need to be modified for larger shafts.

 

[XJoachim]

My ring gear: 11 19 75 DANA 34840 B3R70X 41 10 019

This is a 4.11 gear and Dana Spicer has no offset gear markings so you got the "low" case. Carrier split is 4.56 & up so you either order a new carrier and 5/8" offset gears (which i would recommend) or get the 1/2" offset gears and keep your carrier (but don't rely on my words ). Get a new 2 piece case and the detroit locker for this case will run you about 300-350 US$.

The 70 is a real beefy thing, i tried to break it with my 39.5 Boggers but couldn't do it. And i tried real hard Remember: "Where's the beef?"

 

[Blatant]

Well, not to put to fine a point on it: I'm of the opinion that very few wheelers actually NEED more than a 30-spline D60 shaft? Pirate hoopla and yadda-yadda-yadda aside, how many 30-spline D60 shafts have you personally broken?

Me? Zero. Nada. None.

I don't want to hijack the thread. My larger point stands: If the original poster only has access to DRW axles, he'll have to do some work. And running a 38-inch TSL (which is basically a 37) is not really enough tire IMO to necessitate a true 1-ton rear axle.
dion

 

[XJoachim]

But if you have the choice of 30 or 35 spline axles for the same amount of money - why get the weaker ones?

 

[Blatant]

D60s and D70s are generally about the same junkyard price. Personally, and I've done it twice now (most recently two weeks ago), I take the 60 over the 70. It's physically smaller, much more so after I chop the hell out of it, and it's lighter.

Yes, the 70 is stronger. We all know that. But then the 80's stronger yet. And onward and upward. For me, it comes down to what strength does my rig require? And how much of a weight and clearance penalty am I willing to deal with as consequences. The standard D60 is the answer for me. It may not be for everyone.

Again, not trying to be argumentative, but I stand by my thought process. With a 37-39 inch tire, MOST wheelers will not break a 30-spline rear 60. To take it a step further, if you ARE breaking axle shafts in that tire-size range, you may need to take a better look at your driving abilities rather than your equipment.
dion