Narrowed Rear End?

[CVA59]

Can anyone tell me if can narrow & re-spline my stock axles? I have a 64 1/2 ton.
Thanks,
ZM

[ratty 46]

It is possible depending on the size of the axle ends & how far back the taper starts. Early ford 9" axles are easier .... You can also pick up some cheaper HD street axles from Dutchman, Strange & a few more.

Currie does lots of rears - although expensive IMO. Check with them.

If you do not have the correct equipment to do this - stay away from trying it yourself. Chassis Works sells a axle narrowing jig to do it. Check them too.

Ratty 46

[bama63]

Try this great price and quality

http://www.moserengineering.com/axle...loy-axles.html

[Captainfab]

You cannot shorten and re-spline the 12 bolt axles. If you're narrowing the housing, you'll have to get a set of custom axles made. Those run about $350.00 plus shipping. I like to buy my rear end parts from Moser. bama63 posted their link.

Also as mentioned by ratty 46 you need the specific jigs to narrow a housing.

Originally Posted by CVA59

Can anyone tell me if can narrow & re-spline my stock axles? I have a 64 1/2 ton.
Thanks,
ZM

[blackedoutharley]

Also look at Dutchman for axles

[SCOTI]

How much narrower are you considering?

Sometimes it's cheaper to find a 'car' housing that's already the right width which keeps things 'stock' vs. custom/narrowed. Seems like alot of things w/that ID attached get expensive in a hurry.

[CVA59]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am thinking of running 33x21.50x15's on 15x15 rims. I will have to narrow the frame as well. If i buy new axles and have them drilled for 5 lug what drums will fit my original rear end?

[blackedoutharley]

If you're going to "back half" the chassis why not just buy a new rear end in the width you need and forget about messing with the 12 bolt?

Or if money is no object.... and you are set on having a 12 bolt.

http://www.moserengineering.com/comp...figurator.html

[CVA59]

That would be an awesome setup. However, money is as always an object. So, I need to find a way to do this from an economical standpoint. It is all strictly for looks, no racing or hammering it. Anyone ever narrowed a rear end using stock trailing arms and suspension or can this even be done?

[blackedoutharley]

Originally Posted by CVA59

That would be an awesome setup. However, money is as always an object. So, I need to find a way to do this from an economical standpoint. It is all strictly for looks, no racing or hammering it. Anyone ever narrowed a rear end using stock trailing arms and suspension or can this even be done?

In the interest of saving money I would have the housing narrowed, buy new axles in the needed length but stick with six lug and the stock brakes. Invest your money in a new carrier and gears with all new bearings etc.

Remember to measure correctly; you're going to be limited by the position of the trailing arms....

If you're just wishing to have the "tubbed" look and as you indicated no racing etc... why not just "mini-tub the truck and leave the rearend alone. After you open up the fenderwells you can run a much bigger tire/wheel combo and won't have to modify the frame either.

[Captainfab]

What I would do is change the backing plates to the '76-'87(?) style which use the wider 2 1/2" shoes. Then you use the same year of drums.

Originally Posted by CVA59

Thanks for the replies guys. I am thinking of running 33x21.50x15's on 15x15 rims. I will have to narrow the frame as well. If i buy new axles and have them drilled for 5 lug what drums will fit my original rear end?

I'm not sure just how wide you can go with the trailing arm suspension....12-14"? You might checkout the 'Racing and High Performance' section, there are several guys over there running trailing arms and wide hides.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

What I would do is change the backing plates to the '76-'87(?) style which use the wider 2 1/2" shoes. Then you use the same year of drums.



I'm not sure just how wide you can go with the trailing arm suspension....12-14"? You might checkout the 'Racing and High Performance' section, there are several guys over there running trailing arms and wide hides.

I know you can go 14" & 31x18.5's w/tubs & removing the rear bump-stop bracket (coil suspension truck).

[blackedoutharley]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I know you can go 14" & 31x18.5's w/tubs & removing the rear bump-stop bracket (coil suspension truck).

Which a whole lot of tire no matter how much you look at it!

[CVA59]

LOL, yep. A Whole lot of tire is the look i am going for. Just something about a tubbed short fleetside that looks great.

[Captainfab]

You can still get that look with a stock width rear end and wheels with a deep backspacing. They just won't have that real deep look to the wheels. The deeper backspacing actually puts less stress on the wheel studs, as compared to the shallower backspacing.