Drivers Side Drop Front Axle

[Camar068]

Sorry guys, I know squat about axles. Is there such an axle that will bolt from Ford, Dodge, etc that will bolt up to ours (years pending differences I expect) to allow use of newer drivers side drop transfer cases?

This is leading to making the 6l80 in our 4x4's more easily (cheaper) accomplished. Basically grab an LS engine w/6l80 4x4 and drop into ours. As it stands the cheapest route is an NP205 w/circle pattern with a $125 adapter from Advance Adapters.

lol I've actually had a nightmare or 2 about the 6l80 and would like to make it happen for the right price ($500 plus the price of the trans).

Thanks In Advance
'Maro

 

[Craig 85]

You might research straight axle swaps "SAS" for 91 and up GM trucks. A lot of guys are using Ford axles for these and may give you some ideas. I had considered buying a later model GM truck and doing this prior to recently finding my K30. The Ford front axle is pretty pricey.

 

[CSFJ]

Couldn't you use a circle pattern 205 with a passenger side drop? Or will there be interference between the front driveshaft and trans? Otherwise, like what was mentioned above, ford front axles. The dana 44 or 60 that came under the superduty 3/4 and 1 tons. Starting about '78 and up, depending on what axle width, and style of joint (ball or king pin). Swapping the brakes on the d44 from the ford to the chevy style is pretty straight forward too. The only issue you may run into, is the d side spring perch on the ford is cast into the diff housing. Fords ran a different width frame (wider iifrc), so you may run into some spacing issues with that. Not impossible, worst case being you may have to adjust axle tube length. The bonus would be you'd end up with a high pinion front axle.

 

[Camar068]

Yeh the NP205 would be a lot easier. But I thought if I'm going to lower the ratio it might be best to kill 2 birds with one stone.

 

[CSFJ]

All depends on how you want to approach it. And what your budget is. There are aftermarket t-cases such as what Atlas offers, where having lower ranges, or even 3 ranges are possible. If you however, you end up trying the passenger side drop, just make sure the front drive shaft will clear the transmission. I've heard of some people in the jeep world having clearance issues with the p-side drop and some transmissions. Can't remember the exact models, but something to keep in mind.

 

[kickdeez]

You are not going to find a driver drop front axle from anything that bolts right up to the front of a squarebody. Like whats been said above, a Ford axle will likely be your best bet. They are pretty readily available on craigslist, in salvage yards, and on offroad forums. They are durable and high pinion. I have not heard great things about the driver drop dodge axles. Problem with going this route is that the spring perch locations are not going to match up with the spring locations on your truck. There will be some fabrication work involved in order to get a ford front under a square.

 

[CSFJ]

Yeh the NP205 would be a lot easier. But I thought if I'm going to lower the ratio it might be best to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Could also look for a np241 out of the later square bodies. Lower range, and p-side drop with the round pattern.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Ford high pinion D60 front axle is $1000-$1500. The D44 would be cheaper but then you get into specially made spindles to correct the lug bolt pattern. I would buy the $125 adapter all day long. And honestly I don't think it will be that easy. Isn't there a speed sensor that has to be taken into consideration for the 6L80?

 

[Camar068]

I think it's built into it. Is the speedo on the NP205 like it is on the NP208? Summit has an adapter for $55 to use your gauge and provides a signal to ECM if needed.

But yeh it's probably going to be cheaper to get an NP205.

 

[Vic_v8]

78-79 Ford Axles will bolt in.

I currently have one in my 84 for a diesel swap to run a divorced 205

 

[Camar068]

Thanks, will try to remember that when I start getting serious about changing the ratio's.

 

[dallas1280]

I can buy a superduty dana 60 right now for 400 bucks! Problem is its a driver side drop! But I will do an ls swap as well in this truck. So far it's a blank canvas. How do i get the driverside drop in my 86 square?

 

[Big Ray]

I've always read/heard a 78-79 Ford dana 60 axle bolts right up. I can't swear to it yet. My green burb is a R20 (2wd).
Long term goal is throwing an axle up front for it.