Need Axle Advice On a D60

[Jerm S.]

My Xj currently has a HPD44 that is bent and needs to be replaced. I have found a truck that has a replacement but it has some issues.

The truck is a 76' F-250 highboy. It has a D70 rear D60 front. and a few other goodies Like ramassist steering, and a divorced np205 t-case.. the guy that is selling it will give it too me for probably under 250$. This is the catch though the front 60 has a crack in the top of the center section that is about 3" long and runs along the center section toward the pinion and stops where the center section starts to curve downward toward where the pinion is, But it never gets close to where the bearings are or anything. Could the crack be welded up and have the whole thing be ok. The rig that it is going in is only a trail rig it will never see any road use. Money is kind of tight and spending serious money on a front end isn't possible for a while.

What would you guys say would you go for it and see if you could make it work, or pass it up and keep looking.

Thanks in advance.

Jerm S.

[MistWolf]

Welding cast iron requires a high nickel welding rod, if I recollect rightly. It probably could be welded but you'd better have a careful look inside. It took a lot of force to crack that bad boy and you'd better find what generated it. Did the ring & pinion explode? The carrier? What about possible invisible to the eye hairline cracks? Can you find someone who can perform a dye penetrant or a magnaflux test for you? And is the axle even still straight?

Once you have the sucker NDI'ed (non destructive inspection) & welded (hopefully for no more than a pizza or two) will it clear your oil pan and exhaust? Just some things to think about when you're a desperate Jeeper on a tight budget- like myself

[Fryphax]

I was steer clear, for one because of the large amount of stress the axle had to undergo to get that crack, no sense replacing one basket case with another, even if it sounds cooler on the internet. :D Also the 'ram assist' steering is nothing more than an expensive headache. Look for a 77 1/2-79 D60.

[mbryson]

The C's and the axles might be worth what you're paying.......you can get a center section--low pinion are easy, but there's always the Tera or other aftermarket. As was said before, I'd take a good hard look at the kingpin areas and the knuckles before buying.

[M. Lake]

F-X50 D60 (http://www.2bigbroncos.com/technical/d60/intro.html)

[Jerm S.]

I looked at all of the outers they look pretty good. But the one thing that suprised me is that it has ball joints and not kingpins. And i am positive that it is a D60. would replaceing the center section be hard to do? or would it be something i could do.

Thanks for the help

Jerm S.

[mbryson]

Originally posted by Jerm S.
I looked at all of the outers they look pretty good. But the one thing that suprised me is that it has ball joints and not kingpins. And i am positive that it is a D60. would replaceing the center section be hard to do? or would it be something i could do.

Thanks for the help

Jerm S.

You 'could' do it, but on a D60, I wouldn't take any chances. They are rare and valuable enough that I 'd just take it to Rocky Mountain Axle or Ms. Conception Motorsports and have it done. If I were to do it, I'd do a few D44's for practice.......some D60's have ball joints. While a little less desireable, they still have everything that I'd ever need. I want stronger axle joints and a beastly housing..........

If you buy it and figure out you don't want it, I'd be very interested in it for my YJ project. (I just need a job........:rolleyes:)

[ashmanjeepxj]

Originally posted by Jerm S.
My Xj currently has a HPD44 that is bent and needs to be replaced. I have found a truck that has a replacement but it has some issues.

The truck is a 76' F-250 highboy. It has a D70 rear D60 front. and a few other goodies Like ramassist steering, and a divorced np205 t-case.. the guy that is selling it will give it too me for probably under 250$. This is the catch though the front 60 has a crack in the top of the center section that is about 3" long and runs along the center section toward the pinion and stops where the center section starts to curve downward toward where the pinion is, But it never gets close to where the bearings are or anything. Could the crack be welded up and have the whole thing be ok. The rig that it is going in is only a trail rig it will never see any road use. Money is kind of tight and spending serious money on a front end isn't possible for a while.

What would you guys say would you go for it and see if you could make it work, or pass it up and keep looking.

Thanks in advance.

Jerm S.

That d70 is worth the money... should have 4.10 gears in itm 1.5in diamater shafts, 35 spline...

The front d60, well the HP center is not useable, and the ball joint knuckles are not really worth much.

The ram may or may not be usefull on your project...

If you like the rear end by it and try to brake even by parting out the rest for $250.

I got $400 for just the motor and c4 tranny in my not runnign 76 f350 parts truck, a door, hood gas tanks youll get your $250 back and keep that d70 and part out that d60 if any of it is usefull..