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Posted by Matt Maund [174.252.211.91] on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 08:32:07 :
In Reply to: Questions and ideas/help? posted by Tom in Indiana [32.145.50.137] on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 05:12:26 :
I've done the Dana axle swap twice with great success. Easiest way is to use a Dodge front axle and a 70s Ford rear axle. But stay with the stock springs because if you try to go with the wider leaves like a modern truck you will have the fabrication project from hell on the front end. I'm actually working an an article for PWA on a step by step procedure to do this. Naturally this swap depends on your skills like everyone else has said here. But it's really not difficult. And I think it's a way better option that retrofitting the original axles with a bunch of stuff. By the time you change to 4.89 gears, get custom wheels for tubeless rubber, radial tires, and upgrade the brakes on both ends, you wind up sinking over $3K in those original axles. Not worth it unless you're adimant about that big 5 lug pattern. Danas solve the problem for less than half the cost, plus parts are abundant and you have many gear ratios to choose from. If anything, I would recommend going to a small block V-8 when you do this. With your 4 speed, a mild 360, and 4.10 or 4.33 gears, I think you will be pleased with the end result...
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