Anyone know the weight of a Solid front axle?

the local junkyard just got an '85 pickup, and I'm thinking about getting the axle for an SAS on mine. And I'm wondering if I could carry it myself (the junkyard has an event in June where you can get anything you can carry 30 feet for $30).

 

I don`t know how much it weighs, but if you can carry it 30 feet, you da man, because its heavy.

 

I don't know but I would start lifting my ar$e off to make sure. $30 for a SF sounds like a good deal to me. Does it state you have to fully carry it or can you drag it?

 

Ummm with the third member it takes two guys to carry it if ya get a good grip and dont have to navigate corners. I have two friends who claims they can install them themselves and lift them around no problem but I didnt see them running to prove it when we moved it. Best bet would be to get it on your shoulder with the long tube over your back and hold the short tube up with your arms. I think you could manage 30 feet with it like that.

 

i carried my '85 front axle from my basement to my backyard which was about 50 feet by myself..picked it up by the tie-rod and walked it slowly back... when i ripped it out of the Junkyard it took me and 3 buddies to get it in the back of the truck though (COMPLETE axle ie. leaf springs, brakes, steering, sway bar, torque arm, etc.)

 

As I recall, around 150# w/o the 3rd, that adds 50# as I recall.

 

i would use straps on my hands and figure out how to make some handles.. maybe out of thick rope or something. and i would be maxing my deadlift..

im predicting back injuries

 

I just removed and rebuilt mine. I usually work alone, so I have to be creative with heavy stuff.

I was surprised how heavy even the bare housing was after I had removed the sum of it's components.

I would make a travois...

 

it has to be completely supported by your body. no dragging....

and no corners. it's a straight line. they lay out 30' worth of landscaping timber, and you walk from one end to the other.

but straps are ok. I'd definitely have a couple straps so that the majority of the weight would be transferred to my shoulders.

maybe 2 loads? not sure if I want to pull the 3rd member in the yard though.....especially since they only want $80 or so for a whole solid axle anyway.

 

When I got my front axle from a '85 they used a forklift to put it in the bed of my work truck. I thought I was going to have a lot of trouble getting it out at the other end.

It was complete...3rd, hubs, locking hubs, brakes... the whole shebang.

I got it out of the truck one end at a time and then up on some workhorse in a similiar fashion. It is heavy and an awkward heavy at that.

Would it be bending the rules to use a guy at each end... and pay $60? Would still be a good price.

 

I really wouldn't try it. Slip a disk or worse and the 170.00 you'd save by this attempt would be dwarfed by the colossal medical bills which could be your constant companion were the worst to happen.

 

world strongest man !!!

JUNKYARD EDITION

 

we tried that last year with the rear end from a 4WD subaru. they wouldn't let us....so my dad ended up carrying it himself.....

but I had no concept of what the front axle might weigh. sounds like it's not worth trying, and since their prices are pretty cheap anyway...maybe I won't wait.

thanks guys

 

get someone real big, pay him 20 bucks, have him carry it out, pay your 30 to the junker...you pay a total of 50 bucks for a complete sfa...still sounds like a STEAL! to me

 

Just tell your 'BIG' friend that he *CAN'T* do it and show him where it's at, I am sure to save face he'll show you he *CAN*!!

John

 

I wonder if this would explain the look I got many years ago when I was returning a complete core rearend out of a '64 Chevy pickup.
The guy at the junkyard said,"I'll go get the forklift."
I said, "That's OK, I'll get it."
He gave me a look then went for the forklift anyway.
I went to my truck, grabbed the rearend by the locating bar and carried it to the shop. While I was carrying it the guy came around the corner with the forklift and gave me the weirdest look. Guess they must be heavy LOL!
That might also explain why my nickname for those summers I used to do roofing was "Animal" ;>)
Nowadays I think I might wind up with my cajones in my Converse if I tried it, but for $30, I'd sure at least give it a try.

 

man don't you care about your back? i used to be like you and think i was he-man and could lift anything. i'm paying for it now

 

I'm thinkin.. Go to your local paint store, ask them if you can try an experiment.

Try to pick up 20 gallons of paint at once. Make sure it's some of that good heavy metal primer too. Then try to move that 30 feet. Just remember, an axle is probably gonna be a bit more awkward than 4 paint buckets.

 

After careful reconsideration my bones came up with this possibility and are holding me hostage until I say this: have a nearby college or highschool with hungry football players? Find some ox lineman and offer him a free ride at Burger King in return for doing the dirty work.
There, my bones feel better already.

 

I carried a stock 85 rear with 3rd installed across my garage during my buildup several times. It was pretty heavy. But nowhere as heavy as a front axle with all the steering components and stuff still attached. Good luck with that 30 feet.