Well here I am, back again for advice and suggestions. First off I wasn't sure if this should be under advanced fab or not, so mods can feel free to move it if needed. Secondly after my last thread on steering upgrades..Ive taken that advice and combined with a decent JY find...I'd like to move to one ton axles. I have done a decent amount of research here and at Pirate, and I guess I need some more real life advice from those who have done it. What did you do that worked well, and what did you do that didn't? For starters I will be going to one ton steering and hydro assist. I'd like to run a 39.5-40 ish tire..but I'd like for it to still be a radial (I know, I know). My Jeep association does Poker runs often, and I'd like to still be able to drive it to a meeting from time to time. I know longer DD this rig. It is a clean Jeep, runs well and I'd like to retain the streetability.
I stumbled on a rear Dana 60 from a E250 van at the local Pull-A-Part. it is completed with discs and I got it with all emergency brake hardware. Cost me a whopping $175.00. I have not found a decent enough deal to get the front axle yet, and this leads me to a couple questions. I am assuming I'd need to get a more "modern" d60 to match the rear, am I correct? By matching I mean the bolt pattern, and I think it would be a BJ front with unit bearings. None of which I am opposed to because of the occasional street use. I also have access to a late 70s D44 front with the original ford lockouts and the 1/2 inch axle tubes. I'd assume its a different 8 lug pattern. I'll be keeping the front 3 link, frame stiffeners have been purchased(I should have already had them..). I was thinking keep the rear on leafs for now...
What do you guys think? Sound like I am on the right track or (besides a lot of cutting) is there something I've missed? Below is a pic of the rig currently and the rear 60.
I stumbled on a rear Dana 60 from a E250 van at the local Pull-A-Part. it is completed with discs and I got it with all emergency brake hardware. Cost me a whopping $175.00. I have not found a decent enough deal to get the front axle yet, and this leads me to a couple questions. I am assuming I'd need to get a more "modern" d60 to match the rear, am I correct? By matching I mean the bolt pattern, and I think it would be a BJ front with unit bearings. None of which I am opposed to because of the occasional street use. I also have access to a late 70s D44 front with the original ford lockouts and the 1/2 inch axle tubes. I'd assume its a different 8 lug pattern. I'll be keeping the front 3 link, frame stiffeners have been purchased(I should have already had them..). I was thinking keep the rear on leafs for now...
What do you guys think? Sound like I am on the right track or (besides a lot of cutting) is there something I've missed? Below is a pic of the rig currently and the rear 60.
