rockwell rearend

[RHancock]

I saw a swap some time ago, where they took at 15inch rockwell out of a 5 ton dump and put brakes and hubs off a 1 ton on it. Then stuffed it into a Chevy... anyone seen this or done anything like it. .



I know alot of people have swaped to a 14 bolt chevy or a Dana 80 out of the newer trucks. . just thinking outside the box... .



any other ideas on rears with bigger ring and pinions... As my HP grows I wonder about the dana 70.....

 

[Glen Pratt]

Ouverson Engineering makes a kit to do just that with a 2-1/2 ton Rockwell axle. I have no idea what it costs, but it looks to be a well engineered kit. Here's the link:
http://www.ouversonengineering.com/super_8

 

[RonA]

The Dana 80 swap is pretty easy. If you go larger you may not have as many options on gearing.

 

[KSommer]

the only real downfall for the rockwell is the only gear ratio available is 6. 72. so unless you have a great big overdrive or 44" tires, it might not be what you want.

kent





checked again, it seems you were taking it from a civilian application. the militairy version is the one with 6. 72, i suppose the other models came with whatever you want. .

 

[BHiggins]

Hmmm... Makes me wonder if that kit would work on an Eaton/Fuller two speed rear.

 

[MMiller]

I'm not too sure I would be scared of the dana 70 unless you are truck pulling or making very fast 1/4 miles times on slicks.



I have broke mine, the pinion let go at about 200,000 miles, but I never did check the backlash before it failed. It removed 3 teeth from the pinion, but my truck has never been babied.



Now, if you read my sig, I'm looking for a pair of 60F,70R with 410s! I'd even let you leave the detroit in it. I you're scared of it I take em off your hands! Want some 3. 07's?



Michael

 

[Philip]

Michael is that 3:07 rear a C&C axle?

 

[GO 4LO]

Keep in mind when they put that Rockwell under the rear of the Quagmire truck, that they weren't just doing it because it had a a lot of power - it also has 48" tractor tires on the back. With stock size tires, you'll need a TON of power before you break Dana 80's consistently, even when sledpulling...

That being said, the Rockwell F106's are available with gearing as high as 4. 10, I believe. The problem you get into with the bigger axles - even something as small as a Dana 135 - is that your bolt pattern is going to have to be larger in back just due to the size of the head of the shaft.

I'd look at either:

a) Drop a Dana 80 in the rear - could even add Haisley's kit to go with 37-spline axles.

b) Drop a Dana 135 in the rear, and buy bp adapters for your front axle so it matches up with the 8 on 225 pattern, and then buy a set of 19. 5's to clear the mondo rear brakes...

Hope that helps.





Chris

 

[MMiller]

Michael is that 3:07 rear a C&C axle?

You got a pm Philip. Don't want to jack this thread.



Michael

 

[RHancock]

Thanks for all the responses. . didn't expect this much of a response. . I have seen pictures of the Quagmire conversion and what they did... That was what got me thinking. . ( I have broke the 70 once and reshimed it another time) I have also seen F550's loaded heavy with the D135 and they take alot of abuse. . Just looking down the road... I tend to break stuff and sometimes it is easier just to make it bigger from the start than fix what is there... That and it looks cheeper to do a rockwell than a built dana 80... buy the time I get the locker and put a bearing kit in it the 80 will be over a grand ... . . I can get a good used 15" rockwell for less than 500$ with a locker... have a day or two in narrowing and welding... get some custom shafts and be unbreakable... just a thought..... and someone out there has to have done it... with the stock hubs... .





MMiller... I have 35's and tow heavy i need the 4. 10's... . also my front 60 is upgraded a little due to breakage... . I am sure someone out there has a set to swap... 3. 07's are getting hard to find... . good luck

 

[Doc Holiday]

I'll tell you what a wheeling buddy of mine in NC told me about bigger "bulletproof parts"...



"Just cause it is bigger doesn't mean it won't break, just that it will cost more to fix when it does break" J Treadway, http://www.wnccustomjeeps.com

 

[MMiller]

Ahhh that's what I figured anyways. It would be perfect to find somebody to trade with me that already has a beefed 60F and locked 70 rear, as I am turning this old 90 into a trail truck. I have a set of 38" swampers on it, and the cross over steering is already on.



I'm sure I'll get them traded, I only changed my sig a few days ago. Good luck with your search. I have a couple friends that run rockwells on their trail trucks. The stock brakes are poor at best. When you can't lock the tires up on a sandy hill on a 5000# truck the drum brakes aren't very good. I like the looks of the disc brake conversion, plus the ability to run 8 lug rims, instead of the military 6 bolt or whatever style.



Michael

 

[Excessive Force]

How about a dana 70 front,and rear with detroit lockers?