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Posted by BZ on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 13:32:28 :
In Reply to: Re: one thing to consider posted by Mike Stone on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 12:03:50 :
"PW running gear is probably stronger...." That statement is just flat wrong. Since he asked about axles.....Let's compare a 16 spline "coarse" axle shaft out of a FFPW to a 35 spline inner shaft on a dana 60...... great spline count and great diameter, better build material. Try comparing a FFPW pinion shaft to a 14bolt Corporate and shafts as well...again there is really no comparison. The tracta and tzeppa joints in the front axle of a FFPW have less flex and less strength than any modern one ton u-joint. Even the steering knuckles of a FFPW have less strength but greater mass....the closed knuckle design of a FFPW creates other maintenance issues...not to mention the pain in the rear they are to work on. Even the ball joint style dana 60 front axles are hands down stronger than a front FFPW axle, naturally the Dana 60 kingpin design is stronger than either.
Don't get me wrong, I love the simplistic strong design of the FFPW as much as anyone. But he asked about axles and you end up comparing a one ton FFPW to a 1/4 or 1/2 ton Jeep product....hmmmm....just the GVWR would tell you one is heavier built. I betcha if you gave those Western Line Construction MEN a couple 4x4 F-550's with crew cabs, a/c/heat, vinyl seats, a nice built flatbed w/winch and gave them a choice as to what they would want to work out of they would choose the modern truck not only for comfort. The bodies may fall off the modern truck but the drivetrains are very strong......much stronger than a FFPW.
On a final note.....if the FFPW axles are "probably stronger than any of the modern stuff"....why aren't the jeep and rock crawling guys tossing FFPW axles under there vehicles? The stock FFPW gearing works better (5.83 or 4.89) and this would save gear ratio changes - but they don't do it - Why? 16 coarse spline count, closed knuckles, tracta/tzeppa joints, weaker pinion, etc..... Don't mean to step on anybody's toes but let's don't spit out a bunch of bad information because FFPW were the catdaddy work trucks from yesteryear. Modern one ton drivetrains ARE STRONGER.....PERIOD. The rest of the truck, maybe not so much, haha.
I went hunting with my 78 year dad this past week. I just so happened to be looking for a couple spare FFPW rear shafts to send to Cheyenne Dave. After finding one, I showed him the differnce between it and my 300M 40 spline gun-drilled shafts for my new rear axle. He said great koogly moogly (or something like that).
Get a king pin Dana 60 front and a 14 bolt rear out of a CUCV and be done with it. Frank Irons out Dana 70's under his old FFPW - smoking.
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