2nd Gen front axle

[collegekid]

Tossing some ideas around, taking an nv 4500 or 5600 with drivers side drop tcase, run that to a dana 60 off a 94-98.5. The only problems I forsee are axle width and steering clearance....are those actual problems, or will they line up?

[Philip]

The 94+ year models use trailing arm suspension. Your 1st gen uses leaf springs. The 94+ axle will not have mounting provisions for the leaf springs. You would need to fab spring mounts. If the diff center section is to far to the left. The center casting might need modified to something like the 1st gen right side spring mount looks like.

I don't know of anyone that has done what your thinking of.

[collegekid]

I was thinking of just torching the spring perches off and putting my own spring perches on, welding them up, and if the drive angle from the diff to the tcase is to steep, I can always run high angle u-joints on my front driveshaft

I wont be using the 4wd everyday, but monthly without a doubt

[RumbleFish]

Sounds like a d60 from a ford might be easier...

[collegekid]

Why do you think that?

[Tacoclaw]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/

If you got the time, you'll find EVERYTHING you'll want to know.

Besides actual installation stuff that is.

[collegekid]

All I can say is WOW!!!!!!! Thats some serious info.....Ill need a pot of coffee to get through it all

[Mark Nixon]

I fail to see the benefit of putting a D.S. drop in the older trucks, especially since either tranny you mentioned (NV4500 or NV5600) will bolt the the NP205 case, anyway.

Sometimes a perceived "Improvement" is more detrimental than beneficial.
This would be one of them, IMO.

Mark.

[collegekid]

Thanks mark, I think ill just stay true to the 1st gen, I was just looking for an "easier" or more logical option, but ill trust ya'lls opinion

[ciamcoop]

Besides, the 2nd Gen axles use unit bearings. Boooo

[PToombs]

Besides, the 2nd Gen axles use unit bearings. Boooo

$165 a pop and about 2 -3 years out of them. And it's usually more like squawk, snap, groan and "Awww siht!" than pop.

[oldestof11]

I just replaced the unit bearing in my 98 Golf. What a *itch! And the cheap $30 ones were .20 BIGGER than the hub they NEEDED to be pressed into! I spent $80 for one that fit. I couldn't imagine a truck bearing!

[PToombs]

Yeah, it's nice to live in the salt city. 1 I had to seperate and then burn the hub out of the knuckle. Never Seize is my friend! I also drilled and tapped the new bearings on the 97 and put in greae fittings. We'll see how long they last.

[Richie O]

I had a 97 1 ton that just needed rotors. Had to torch off both hubs to do it. They would not come off in 1 piece. They were low mile factory ones too. Just plain rusted together.

[Mark Nixon]

I had a 97 1 ton that just needed rotors. Had to torch off both hubs to do it. They would not come off in 1 piece. They were low mile factory ones too. Just plain rusted together.

Sounds like a true marriage!
"I now pronounce thee "Mr. and Mrs. Rust", you may now stain the Bride!

Mark.