Project Coppertop Axle Swap

[Coppertop]

Picked up some axles yesterday.Even with the snow falling and the ground a snow/muddy mess ,I manage to cut the axles out.



Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear out of a 1979 F250. Paid 300.00 :)

Now ,let the adventure begin.....

Nick

[KargoMaster]

nice... I bet you'll sure miss those 7 minute Dana30 axle changes, won't you?

[lky13blazer]

Great deal on the axles....hopefully by spring I'll be doing my yj.I'll be following this one for sure

[Hope Springs Hauler]

Is a disc brake swap on tap for the rear?

[Coppertop]

Originally Posted by KargoMaster

nice... I bet you'll sure miss those 7 minute Dana30 axle changes, won't you?

You know it..Changed out way to many...

Originally Posted by Hope Springs Hauler

Is a disc brake swap on tap for the rear?

For sure,Already been researching..Thinking bout these...
http://bluetorchfab.com/store/advanc...42u0&x=10&y=11

The build sheet is in the works.

Nick

[boomhauer]

lky13blazer...if you are going to do the same to yours then i have a '79 ford rearend that you will want. $100.00 and it's yours. it is complete.

[lky13blazer]

Originally Posted by boomhauer

lky13blazer...if you are going to do the same to yours then i have a '79 ford rearend that you will want. $100.00 and it's yours. it is complete.

thanks I'll keep it in mind but it will be at least after the first of the year before i get to...do you know the gear ratio? and bolt pattern?

[Coppertop]

The build list so far...

Clayton front axle bracket kit. http://claytonoffroad.com/product_in...products_id/83

6.5 Lift Rough Country Long Arm Suspension Kit
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_6xla.html

Blue Torch Fabworks
http://www.bluetorchfab.com/store/
Dana 60 rear Disc Brake brackets ( BTF11021)
Rear Spring Perchs (BTF11016)
Rear Diff Cover/truss DYI Kit (BTF11076)
Front Diff Cover/truss DYI kIT(BTF11074)

Both front and rear trusses will be homebuilt.

Thinking about KM2 35's Tires and these beadlocks(Trailready)http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/tra...65-p-8463.html

Gears will be 4.88's with a Front ARB locker and rear Detroit.

More to come...All comments welcome.

Heck ,I wanna do it right the first time.
Nick

[boomhauer]

Originally Posted by lky13blazer

thanks I'll keep it in mind but it will be at least after the first of the year before i get to...do you know the gear ratio? and bolt pattern?

8 lug, 3:54's

[KennyTJ]

If your gonna run beadlocks i'd get some serious offroad tires in a bias ply for strong sidewall. Something like a TSL. I run 36" TSL SX's and they are awesome with like 2psi in them. I would NOT run a radial tire sidewall in the rocks, you'll go from changing D30 axle shafts to replacing $200+ tire every trip. I run 35" BFG AT's on the street, great snow tire for on the highway also! with 6" lift you'll have plenty of room for a 36" and the axles are no problem.

Just my 2cents.

[itbrokeagain]

I love the KM2s. Outrageously priced though. To get the size I want is around 3 grand for 4.

[Coppertop]

I like the TSL's too..But ,I need the best of both(Good street /trail tire).Still kicking around the bigger size tire(36).It's amazing how the price goes way up when you get larger than a 35..

Nick

[94Dodge Truggy]

Originally Posted by KennyTJ

If your gonna run beadlocks i'd get some serious offroad tires in a bias ply for strong sidewall. Something like a TSL. I run 36" TSL SX's and they are awesome with like 2psi in them. I would NOT run a radial tire sidewall in the rocks, you'll go from changing D30 axle shafts to replacing $200+ tire every trip. I run 35" BFG AT's on the street, great snow tire for on the highway also! with 6" lift you'll have plenty of room for a 36" and the axles are no problem.

Just my 2cents.

I too have been amazed at how well the bfg at's perform. I owned 2 very similar trucks a few years back with 35" BFG at's and the other with bias ply 36" TSL's. Both new sets and in the light mud, deep snow and street the at's ruled. Deep mud and wet rocks were home to the TSL's though. Buy some maxxis trepadors! I am thinking of giving them a try.

[mckeddie]

my old 36'' iroks always amazed me how well they did on the street. they were bias, and unbalanced would run 80 mph down the highway smooth as silk.

[KennyTJ]

Originally Posted by 94Dodge Truggy

I too have been amazed at how well the bfg at's perform. I owned 2 very similar trucks a few years back with 35" BFG at's and the other with bias ply 36" TSL's. Both new sets and in the light mud, deep snow and street the at's ruled. Deep mud and wet rocks were home to the TSL's though. Buy some maxxis trepadors! I am thinking of giving them a try.

I have not heard anything good about the Treps. Lester hates them on this YJ. I have heard the Pitbull Rocker bias are extreamly awesome!

Now back to the op....
sorry!

[94Dodge Truggy]

Originally Posted by KennyTJ

I have not heard anything good about the Treps. Lester hates them on this YJ. I have heard the Pitbull Rocker bias are extreamly awesome!

Now back to the op....
sorry!

Pitbulls have worked well for me but are damn heavy!

[HumminNBoatin]

I had the 37" BFG KM1's and they sucked for sidewall strenght. I replaced them with toyo M/T's. Knock on wood the toyo's have NEVER had any problems on or off road. They even run better down the highway than my
KM1's did. The side wall on the Toyo is like 3/4" thick.

I also think the Goodyear Kevlar mtr is a good tire to look into.

You are not kidding on tire prices skyrocketing once you get to 35 and beyond...

[Coppertop]

After a few hours of research...I found three good front axle kits .(Clayton,Rubicon Express,and T&T Customs) I decided on the T&T.
http://02ea137.netsolstores.com/fron...ngstyle-1.aspx

I like the truss design (should save me a ton of mock up time),so simple even I can set it up.

The rear axle will have T&T'S u-bolt eliminator kit.
http://02ea137.netsolstores.com/u-bolteliminiators.aspx
My plan was to run a ladder bar(to prevent axle wrap)I understand ,with this design it will prevent axle wrap ..Again saving me time and money.

Nick

[boomhauer]

a competition compound trepador is prolly the best tire on the market but they are strictly offroad tires. km2's would be your best bet IMO.

[itbrokeagain]

$144 each. http://http://www.treadwright.com/sh...guard-dog.aspx

[gothodgie]

Originally Posted by itbrokeagain

$144 each. http://http://www.treadwright.com/sh...guard-dog.aspx

link is not working correctly...

[itbrokeagain]

http://www.treadwright.com/shopnow/e...7x125r165.aspx


Linky linky

[Coppertop]

Heck of a deal...

Nick

[itbrokeagain]

Thinking about buying one for a spare

[gothodgie]

Originally Posted by itbrokeagain

http://www.treadwright.com/shopnow/e...7x125r165.aspx


Linky linky

I have looked at these a couple times and have researched the some and they seem to have a good track record for the last few years in the smaller sizes. The just don't many 15" choices in bigger sizes.