<--I want to go fullsize with my truck. I also plan on swapping in a chevy 350 and a 5 speed.

I was thinking Dana 60 front/rear because I want it to be xtra tough and I was told that the Dana 60 was the best solution for a front axle. I'm pretty set on having 1 ton running gear...

But now I've been searching and see 12 bolt and 14 bolt rear axles for cheaper. What's the difference between Dana 44/60/70 and GM 10/12/14 bolt? I've searched but can't find much. On 4x4 trucks that had the 12 bolt and 14 bolt rear end, what was the front axle? And finally what gearing would I need for 70% offroad and 30% street?
Please enlighten my ignorance and let me know your suggestions.

 

get a job.

 

based on his location i would go so far as to say he probably has one

 

differences are in axle shaft diamter, and ring gear size. as the numbers go up, so do the ring gear sizes, and the shaft diameter.

Tire size and type of wheeling would be needed to better help with axle choice. Toyota's are lightweight. A cromo d44 is PLENTY unless you are going to go sort of buggy terrain on 44's or 46's. Then a bigger axle would be better.

 

my $0.02:

D44's are about equivalent to a Toy 8" axle (give or take), so that wouldnt net you any improvement.

a 12 bolt is similar to a D44 in strength and features, so again, not much net.

a 14B is somewhere around a D60 or a D70 in terms of strength.

D60 front / D60 rear is a good combo

D60 front / 14B rear is a better combo, however you loose ground clearance unless you shave the axle and ring gear.

D60 front / D70 rear would probably be overkill and a little more $$$, but if you come across a deal, not a bad choice. (dont know about ground clearance differences).

Concerning what came on what: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bible/index.html

Some more info: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f147...qs-info-96893/

Things to look at for strength:
1) Shaft diameter
2) Shaft spline count
3) Ring gear size

On all 3 more is better. Another thing to consider, most 3/4 ton+ axles were full float (although not all). An advantage of full float is the axle shaft doesnt carry the weight of the vehicle thus isnt as stressed and if you bust one, your wheel doesnt come flying off like a semi float.

For my truck, I will probably go D60 front and either a D60 or 14B rear, whichever is cheaper and easier to find at the time, preferrably the D60 for clearance.

 

get some rockwells, they are becoming as cheap as 60s these days... but you gotta run like 42s atleast and get some highsteer... done

 

good axles, but you require a fair amount of lift or other creative measures to get the clearance needed to run a top loaded pinion like that.

 

Yeah I saw those... they are actually cheaper than rebuilt D60s but they are only available with 6.72 gearing... not really what I need....

Can dually axles be switched to single wheel?

 

yes, but WMS to WMS will vary

 

On the gearing, 4.11 to 4.56 would be my choice for 70/30, leaning more along the 4.56

 

If you have to ask, you don't need them.

 

Did anything come with stock D60/D60 front and rear? I can't find anything that did...

 

F350's maybe - but by the time the mfgs put a 60 in the front, they have either a 14B or 70 in the rear ...

You need to browse on Pirate or www.co4x4.com - there are several "kinds" of front 60's and some are much more desirable than others.

I still come back to AxleIke's question: