Originally Posted by gimmy 64 (Post 5354959)

i'm in. anybody want to start a pool for the amount of time after the truck is complete that Dino sells it?

Originally Posted by 63GMCKid (Post 5353760)

Well if you know what the current tire size is and what RPM you were turning at a given speed, the only ratios offered in the Eaton HO52/72's were 4.11, 4.56, and 5.13, so you could plug those numbers into an online gear calculator and figure out what ratio you've got by process of elimination.

Years ago there was a company that made a 3.73 gear set for the Eaton HO52/72, can't remember the name of the company, but it was a short production run, I personally have never seen such a R&P set for sale, I learned about it from the Eaton HO72 thread on Pirate4x4, so I would assume they are very rare, but it might be worth a shot trying to track a set down.

The Eatons are excellent axles, easy to work on, extremely strong, fairly light weight when converted to disc brakes (Lighter than a 14bolt with discs) and still lighter than a 14bolt with drums if you keep the drum brakes. Only downside to them really is the pinion bearings are weird and extremely expensive, there is a taper roller pinion bearing with a dual outer race, so its like 2 bearings in 1, usually runs about $400-$450 for a new one, and there is a double row ball pinion bearing that usually runs about $300-$350 new, and the double row ball pinion bearings aren't very desirable for obvious reasons.

An easy way to tell which you have without pulling the 3rd.... if you are looking at the axle facing the pinion, looking at the 5 bolt flange that retains the pinion bearing/seal, at the lower drivers side edge of that flange, if there is a small hump that looks like it has a channel extending behind it on the 3rd, and a small hump that extends from the rib right above the flange down to the flange face, both of those things mean it has the taper roller pinion bearing (Those are the oiling and oil return channels). If it doesn't have both of those features, then it has the double row ball bearing for the pinion bearing.

In my opinion these axles are worth putting a bit of work into to keep them running strong in these old trucks. If your 3rd ends up being one with the double row ball bearing pinion bearing, I would say its worth it to go on the hunt for another 3rd with the taper roller pinion bearing, usually you can get a complete axle or a complete 3rd for $50 to $200 on CL.

Now all of this is pointless if you want to run something numerically lower than 4.11, in which case I'd say just pick up a used narrow 14 bolt dually from a cab&chassis truck.

Originally Posted by 66Gilbert (Post 5356654)

Dino,

This is too cool, How do you find the time to do all this in such a short time frame. Between your appliance business, family, friends and taking your helper mechanic to the vet, there can't be that much time in one day!!

Originally Posted by 67cheby (Post 5357891)

so is this one getting that pancaked crossmember ?

Originally Posted by wutnxt (Post 5357906)

Dude ..

I love my cordless impact....I don't know what I ever did before I bought it. Save that pile of scrap and build it up....your going to need to cash it in for beer when I come for my shop tour....LMAO****

Originally Posted by DLOE65 (Post 5358182)

Looking good Dino! Valves are on the way!
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Originally Posted by 55reasons (Post 5358094)

Hmmm. A narrowed dually conversion on Semi wheels.

I've heard that somewhere before!

:lol:

Originally Posted by Dinos63 (Post 5358234)

yeah dang i saw your thread:lol:

Originally Posted by 55reasons (Post 5358753)

no worries. Some other people would get butt-hurt over it, but i'm a firm believer in exchange of ideas and information and innovation for the betterment of any hobby.

If you decide to use a 14 bolt rear for some reason, let me know.

I think i have a cost effective alternative for the rear bolt pattern / brake setup to run 10 lug / lug-centric wheels without adapters to save money, weight, space, and time.

If you're interested, i can make another set while i'm making mine to safe cost and time. (easier to do it all at once as a "production run")...

Shoot me a pm if you're interested in chatting about the idea.

Originally Posted by VA72C10 (Post 5358353)

Following along on this one too! You're going to sway me to build a 60-66 at some point with all your cool builds ;)

Originally Posted by socallowboy (Post 5358634)

Pete wheels! Bad ass, I have a stack of them but there 24.5