('71 Dodge 8-lug, 3/4 ton, 30 spline)
and the Lock-Right started slipping
at Rosser Round-Up '99. (on Stage
Coach)
Actually it started a few years ago
when a friend was cleaning out the
shed in the back yard of a house
he just bought. (he wanted to get
rid of "this old axle", before picture
below) i took it off his hands for free.
after cleaning, disassemby and
inspection i had a '71 Dodge 3/4
ton pickup, 30-spline, open diff.
4.10 geared Dana 60 in good shape.
I turned the drums and spent about
$100 on brake shoes, springs, lines
wheel cylinders and paint. I then
bought a used set of 15x10" 8-lug
wheels and decided to try and change
the off-set myself, (1 & 3/4" more back-
spacing and they are very staight,
check out the black and white picture)
then some grinding on the brake drums
for clearance and i have a Dana 60 that
is the same width as a factory YJ Dana
35 with 10" wheels. (black/white pic,
sorry about the slow loading)
I cut off and reused the spring pearches
(spring under conversion) and made the
U-bolt flip kit.
later after the 44 front i intalled a 1-ton
master cylinder.
I also recently installed a Detroit
soft-locker, and 4.56 gears that i
installed in a 1-car garages. check-out
write-up about how to set up a ring and
pinion in a dana 60.
Build a limiting strap that will go from
the top of the Differential to the frame
to limit suspension droop.
also have made a 2nd set of custom
off-set 16' wheels for street use.
Futrue plans:
Build some ladder/traction bars that
don't limit articulation or ground
clearance
of a Dana 35 and Dana 60
or "REPTARS" CJ-8 page
after i changed the
offset, it's hard to
tell but they have
about 7" of back-
spacing now.