Posted by DonE on Friday, January 11, 2002 at 0:03AM :
In Reply to: 6bolt w100 axle swap - Don Evans ? posted by Oscar on Wednesday, January 09, 2002 at 1:11AM :
I have to agree on 6 lug wheels, they look better.
The "correct" axle combo for a '61 W100 would be the Spicer 60 rear / 44 front with 8 lug wheels.
I'm not so sure your truck was "factory equipped" with the 6 lug setup that uses the Corporate rear. The W100 8 lug combo became the standard starting with '59 models. The '61's are totally revised in body, steering, frame and springs. Of important note are the front springs in the case of a 6 lug W100. The springs of a '61 up truck are fixed at the rear and pivot to the front. The opposite is the case for a pre '61 "Power Giant", therefore the caster angle would be wrong inless special perches were made. The knuckle/arm are also different on PG rigs. I've seen a few odd combo's and if this is the case here, it's sure unique.
The 8 lug variety parts are much more plentiful. The eary 6 lug 44's are somewhat weak compared to the later post '61 44's. The "big knuckle" version is the strongest 44 and was most often found on crew cabs.