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Don has some leaf springs sitting around collecting dog hair...
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb. I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
unsure of the HO72. guess i have some reading to do tonight. hahah
So.... Pitman arm $85 Fresh F-150 Steering box $525 HD Drag link and tie-rods probably $200 in materials. Steering column and connections to box $100 minimal. Full Hyd steering $1200 Hmmmmmm Simplicity of design and functionality....priceless. Which then begs the question... A Dana 60 Dodge front axle is worth like $1200 around here all day long. A 14 Bolt rear axle maybe $150. I have to cut apart the 60 anyway so....If I bought some brand new tube, did some fab work, why couldn't I build a 14 bolt front axle for the same or less? Just thinking out loud here...
Negative, even running on the coast side of the gear the 14 bolt is still stronger than the d-60 as it has the extra pinion support bearing. The 60 under heavy load will allow the pinion to walk the ring gear. Edit: Norm, he has some ruff stuff parts he wants to sell ya! ::)
Well this morning I had coffee, which I rarely drink, with a few of the old fellas who want to see the M37 running. One of them has a old 1940's Mil issue stencil set for hood numbers and other stuff. Guess he's dropping it off with my wife latter today...pretty cool of him. Anyone here want to volunteer to build the wiring harness? This is one aspect I am not looking forward to.
Anyone here want to volunteer to build the wiring harness? This is one aspect I am not looking forward to.
Don your observations regarding the ring gear strength is a serious point to consider no question. That said, the Dana 60's 9.750" ring gear even in a reverse cut application, gives up a lot of strength to say the HO72's 10.125" ring gear.The almost 2" pinion shaft that dwarfs a Dana 60 or a 70, and even the 14 bolt will not fail. A third pinion bearing, a load bolt to stop ring gear deflection, and a fairly ridged steel housing you can weld to almost anywhere. A drop out third member makes gear swaps a quick fast process. No crush sleeves, just simple brutal 1940's brilliance LoLI can pick between 4.10 4.57 and 5.14 ratios...I can buy say a 4.57 dropout with a No-spin for $100 Available from 1948-72 they are not at all hard to find in these parts. If I want I can "modernize" a Ho 72 and drop a 14 bolts Detroit in the carrier, and then use 14 bolt axle shafts in a rear axle application...I can also use 14 Bolt disk brake components....oh and front and rear can be simply shaved to Dana 44 size under the pumpkin. Now.... Lets say I want to drive this wreck to say Moab and go wheeling. I can run a 4.10 rear third and with my 40" rubber, that old 440 will think it's hauling a old imperial down the hyw. Run some two piece 14bolt rear alloy shafts and I could swap 3rd members to the 5.14 locked set like I have in the front, and go wheeling in a half hour. No final plan yet....but It's tempting me.
^^^Snorkels and seat warmers!!Odd as it may seem, I can totally see it!
Tate.... Yeah I have eyed those axles up a few times. But given one axle costs more than I intend to invest in this entire project...no can do. What if I told you I might have a half dozen of those fancy tapered bearings new in the box? I haven't checked the part number yet to be sure mind you...but they were in the same box as the 3 or 4 new ho72 No-Spin's and the Ho72 gasket kits, and shims/carrier bearings...So chances are fair. I really should go through all that NOS stuff I bought. I may build it with a Dana 60 front at first because it's quick and simple and then refine it latter...right now I am concentrating on the important stuff...600hp or so and windshield wipers which is no small feat getting good wipers on a M37 LoL