HELP! Has anyone replaced front axle for ARB install?

[Expat]

The shop installing my ARB in the front of my 2001. 5 has run into the 32 spline glitch. They ordered new axle shafts (I don't know which) which Dana assured them would fit, but they say it doesn't. They're stumped. (On the positive side, the shop is embarrassed and won't charge me ANY parts or labor. ) Still, I want the ARB in the front. Has anyone done the axle switch? What axle did you use? Has there been another change in the 2001. 5? Earthroamer used the Moser 35 spline axle, but he has a 98. 5.

 

[csutton7]

according to ARB's web site www.arb. au.com the 32 spline can be converted to 35 spline if the bill of materials is #605508 or #605522 these bill of mat'ls #'s can use axle part #35091-29--but really the shop needs to call ARB to get the low down as I'm not sure how updated the ARB site is---is your front axle a DANA 60--mine was and I just had the ARB installed--good luck--chris

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chris sutton
1999 2500 qcab longbed 4x4 red sport w/ all the options 'cept plow pkg, 4:10 detroit locker in rear & front ARB,
5" skyjacker lift w/ 35" BFG mud terrains on 16. 5x9. 75 Weld rims, black smittybilt nerf bars, black 3 pc. bug persuader,
black lumber rack, camel leather int. w/ mb quartz spkrs and 8" sub, power edge EZ, DTT vb & tc, mag hy-tec transmission pan,
red magview diff covers & coming soon: 275 injectors, red L&L ladder bars, turbo temp monitor & guages on "A" pillar

[This message has been edited by csutton7 (edited 02-17-2001). ]

 

[HC]

Good News!
I ran into the same problem about last August. At that time, to do the conversion you had to buy new axles; Dana wouldn't guarantee they would fit the Dodge but some shops were saying "sure it will work" while others were offering to custom machine pieces and still others were telling me it was possible in theory but not really practical and way expensive. This of course gave me little confidence in the REAL results to be expected, and would have run the cost up dramatically even if it did work. I knew the "Earthroamer" had done the conversion, but $$$ was not a major concern in his equation.

Now here's the good news part:
Via e-mail and phone calls with ARB, I learned they had recently ordered new tooling to make a 32 spline ARB that would fit the Dodge version of the Dana 60. At that time, I was told it would be available in about 6 months. So if you call the right folks at ARB, it should now be possible to order the 32 spline ARB; but I'd bet the right part numbers will NOT yet be in the books out at the shops and local distributors yet.

My only disappointment with the ARB so far is that with only the rear locker, this light-rear-ended truck still gets stuck way too easily unless I use the 4WD. I had hoped a locked rear end would make a bigger difference. I've very eager to see how you like your front locker; I put mine on hold due to $$$, but I'm still interested in it as a future option.

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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, K&N RE-880 w/foam pre-cleaner, ARE Z-series Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, and all kinds of synthetic fluids...