Posted by Oscar on Monday, December 24, 2001 at 3:26AM :
I have a 61 W100 with 6 bolt wheels/axles - 4.10 gears. Front axle is original, rear is '58 d200 but appears to match the original 61 rear axle.
I also have a set of '63 w200 axles (4.10 gears) 8 bolt wheels. Both front axles are closed knuckle.
Both need king pings & other rebuildable parts.
I have 6 17.5 (8.75x17.5) 6 bolt wheels from the '58 and 5 16 (7.50x16) 6 bolt wheels (split rims) from the 61 so rims are limited. The selection of the 8 bolt stuff is limited by your pocket book.
I am planning to swap the '63 axles to replace the '61 6 bolt axles.
Is this a good swap? The axles shafts in the 6 bolt axle are large diameter than the '63 axle shafts. The brakes on the '63 are the standard drums where as the brake drums on the '61 are huge drums - 40 - 60 pounds each. I want a sturdy truck I can drive - it's not for rock crawling etc.
I can not go to disks yet - No vacuum booster yet (nor will there be any power assist steering or brakes until I get fuel injection. I want to avoid the carb flooding out problems when climbing or descending steep roads). A flooded out engine + power boosted brakes + power steering on a steep slope is not very fun.....
I am conserned about getting parts for the 6 bolt axles.
Anyone have any knowledge about the differences between the 2 axles sets?
thanks for your help
oscar