Posted by Joe Lorenzino on March 17, 1998 at 02:05:31:
In Reply to: 1977 PW fulltime axle headaches! What to do? posted by Jack on March 16, 1998 at 14:31:12:
One of my trucks is a 78 W150 short box/stepside, with a 400 (big block), 445 close ratio 4speed, 3.23 gears, and the same "bad" full time hubs. My solution to the big tire/low rpm /bad bearing problem was to buy a wrecked (but drivable) 1980 W200 for a donor unit. This way I get a Dana 44 "part time" front end (with locking hubs instead of the centre disconnect) that has disc brakes and the better bearing setup, a 208 part time transfer case with the lower "low" ratio, and a Dana 60 rear axle with full floating hubs. The w200 axles also have 4.10 gears that will allow me to run the 35" tall tires and keep the engine rpm virtually the same as before. Yes, the w200 axles use 8 bolt wheels, but I prefer them to the 5 bolt type. I am using 16.5" rims ,as the donor truck came with a really nice set, but I believe that aftermarket 15" wheels are readily available with 8 bolt centres if you want to use 15" tires, and 16" /8 bolt rims are Very plentyful. Have Fun J.V.L.