60 vs. 80 axels and drive line mods

[jeepocabra]

Are the 80 series of axels any better than the 60's?
What all has to be done when swapping in a transercase from a chevy to run a drive line to the rear axel? do you have to change to a centered axel?

 

[motoman426]

The 80 axle is a high pinion axle if I am not mistaking the birfs are a little bigger as for the chevy deal the tcase lets out on the passenger side and it a center output in the rear. I do not know what motor and tranny you are running but if I am not mistaking the adapter to do this from the lc 4spd is kind of high. If you are going to run a 60 rear axle think again unless it is a full floater you will be in the same boat as I am putting a fortune in axles to keep them from breaking and sliding out. If I am not mistaking I am thinking that most of the 80 axles are full floaters for the rear.

 

[lovetoski]

The early 80 (91-92) rears are semi-float, full-float thereafter.

Only the front diff is high-pinion on the 80 axles, rear diff is the same as the 60.

80 axles are wider, and birf are stronger. Because of the diff offset, it's hard (maybe impossible, don't remember) to fit them onto 60 leaf springs. If you're not using the leafs, then doable.

Swapping axles is a solution, what's the problem you're trying to solve?

 

[jeepocabra]

running 37" to 39" Irocks. Does a company make an adapter to run dual cases in these trucks? If the 80 series axel is not much stronger than I will keep the old stocker and get some long's

 

[motoman426]

I will go ahead and let you know that the rear axles will not hold up long under either tire I have 37's and have broken 2 sets of rears already and that is not good when you break them bc they slide out and will pass you on the trail. I think Marlin makes a crawl box for these.

 

[jeepocabra]

What is a good axel that would work in the back then? Ford 9 from a bronco?

 

[motoman426]

that will work if I am not mistaking they are a close to the same width I am thinking 63" A dana 60-2 out of and old jeep truck is one of the best if you can get your hands on it. Although they are a semi floater you will not break them with a 2f it s a 35 spline axle on top of being about twice the thickness of a stock 60 axle. The 9" will be cheaper and easier to get your hands on

 

[jeepocabra]

So a centered axel will work fine in the back?

 

[motoman426]

I would say yes because I see chevys running the offset rockwells in the back and they are a centered output so I do not see what it would hurt to run a centered axle in a cruiser form a offset application

 

[Mace]

Okay,
centered axle with an offset tcase in a SO configuration is probably not a good idea. It is too easy to max out the compound angles.

Until you actually start breaking rear axles calm down. Most 60 owners will never have a single issue. Plus, if you are not geared, locked and have big tires it is not much of an issue.

Poly performance makes an upgraded rear shaft for the rear. And Bobby makes upgraded axles for the front.

A bronco 9" will be no stronger unless you throw money at it.

A D60 rear will be no stronger unless you throw money at it.

The jeep J20 rear axle is very hard to find. I have seen a couple. And they are good axles, but the metallurgy of the shafts is not as good as it could be. And they are not the easiest thing to find.

You can take a 14 bolt and shorten the long side to make an offset 14 bolt. That would be the strongest reasonable length axle for a reasonable cost.

As for tcases, You can adapt a 203/205 doubler to get a centered rear driveline if that is your desire.

Or just a 203 mated to your stock tranny for that matter.

You do have a 60 Vs a 82 right??

What is comes down to is what do you want? What are you trying to achieve??

 

[jeepocabra]

So, the Cruiser axel in not strong enough to run 37's? even after the longs and upgraded shafts in the back? I am going to run a Chevy small block, either a 350 TBI or a 5.3 vortec, with a 4l60e and probably a dana 300 with 4:1 and of course lockers. I am not crazy hard on things. I have a jeep with a tbi 350 and dana 44's locked, and have never had a problem, granted the 44's have aftermarket shafts.

How involved is cutting down a 14 bolt? is it just removing the tubes cut them down reinsert them in the center chunk and weld then order new shafts? Of course then how do you deal with the 8 lug/6 lug problem?

 

[Mace]

The Stock LC axle is strong enough from the sound of things. Even more so if you upgrade the shafts.

The LC axles are offset tho. So running a D300 would not be the best option unless you swapped out the rear axle.

Most likely, the easiest solution is to take a LC center section and make a hybrid toy mini/LC axle..

 

[jeepocabra]

Mace, thanks for your experinced help.

What years mini truck is best?

 

[Mace]

V6 minis are a bit wider. Tacoma's are wider than that even.

Other than that, they are all about the same.

 

[motoman426]

The front with longfields will take it but the back will not. I just put in a set of polys I am going to see how long it will take to break them. If you are running the 350 or 5.3 you better put a decent axle in there or you will regret it to spend all that time and money and the axle be the weak point with all that nice motor. I would just like to have a piece of mind.

 

[Mark W]

You can brake anything if you beat it hard enough
the OEM Cruiser rear axle will handle 37s fine.

Lot of us do it and have for years.


Mark...

 

[sandcruiser]

portal axles from a volvo truck or a mog. Now you're talking.

 

[jeepocabra]

I would love me some portals, but not the 5k to buy them (or one)

 

[motoman426]

This is why you do not want the 60 axles you can watch the video YouTube - Jody @ Callalante and see on the water fall that it is not good to break one and have to worry about them falling out and trying to pass you on the trail.

 

[Mace]

A set of rear disk brakes would have helped a lot in that situation.

But again. This dude is not hard on things by his own accord. A D44 would not have held up in that situation.

If Jeepocabra is planning on running trails like the video you posted and taking his 60 to the next level it is a different subject. IMHO, I was surprised that the axle lasted as long as it did.

A tube frame buggy with Toy drivetrain is not a good idea IMHO.

37's can easily live in a 60.