building a trailer using my spare 80 rear end

[cardinal33]

Can I build a highway legal off-road trailer using my spare 80 series rear end? I was thinking about building a pop up tent / parts and etc / off road trailer out of my spare 80 series rear end that is sitting around? Anybody build one - any thoughts? Is it legal for CA highway use? Somebody told me it is not leagal to use live rear ends for trailers anymore.

[Grim Reaper]

Many place now outlaw the use of a drive axle as a trailer axle. Concerns about the spinning diff locking up. If you have to have it inspected to register it and get a home built VIN it may be questioned.

That said since its a full floater you could pull the shafts and cap the opening or find some broken shafts and use them as the caps.

[cardinal33]

sounds like an uphill battle.

[boss73]

Yeah it may be a battle here in Cali !!

[cardinal33]

I guess the next best thing would be a 6 wheel drive 80 series project

[Grench]

6x6 80?
OK, so...
Cut and flip one of the rear axles then trisect and re-assemble left-right opposing.
Put a transfer case between them with stubby drive shafts.
Run the rear prop from the main transfer to the input on the 2nd transfer.
Put in a 2nd CDL switch.
Put in a part time 4x4 kit on the steering axle.
Weld the mess together.

6x6 low, high... fully selectable lockers on all 3 axles and both transfers.
4x6 low low with front disengaged and selectable lockers for both rears.

It would probably need a link between the two rear axles so they don't move beyond the stubby drive shafts.

Didn't some company in Australia do a few of these for tours?

[cardinal33]

Originally Posted by Grench

6x6 80?
OK, so...
Cut and flip one of the rear axles then trisect and re-assemble left-right opposing.
Put a transfer case between them with stubby drive shafts.
Run the rear prop from the main transfer to the input on the 2nd transfer.
Put in a 2nd CDL switch.
Put in a part time 4x4 kit on the steering axle.
Weld the mess together.

6x6 low, high... fully selectable lockers on all 3 axles and both transfers.
4x6 low low with front disengaged and selectable lockers for both rears.

It would probably need a link between the two rear axles so they don't move beyond the stubby drive shafts.

Didn't some company in Australia do a few of these for tours?

tha would make the coolest buildup thread ever and if I made my 80 into a 6x6 even more room for sstickers