Posted by Charlie on March 18, 1998 at 04:56:25:
In Reply to: 1977 PW fulltime axle headaches! What to do? posted by Jack on March 16, 1998 at 14:31:12:
Get some axles from Boyce Equipment in Utah, 1-800-748-4269. Throw away that front axle without the normal dual bearing/full-floating setup. It's trash. GM and Dodge both have the front pumpkin on the passenger side. Get a GM front Dana 60 with 4.56s. It will be totally rebuilt, like new, with disk brakes but open diff. For the rear get a GM 14 bolt with 4.56 and a Detroit Locker. You can get a Dodge rear Dana 60 with 4.10 for $275 less but by the time you pay them for the ratio change and the locker you'll pay more for a weaker axle. They move the spring pads for a negligible amount, like $50/axle. This will cost you $2700 plus modifications (inexpensive if Boyce does it) plus freight. Put a good part-time kit in your NP203 T-case. You will then have a "bulletproof" drivetrain with excellent traction and geared well for 35-36" tires. $2700 sounds like a lot of money BUT if you stick with your weaker axles and change the gearing to 4.56 and add a rear Detroit it will cost you ~$14-1500 installed. so for an additional $1200 you can have a 1-ton drivetrain.
Charlie