Best 6 lug axle for AD Suburban axle swap.

[beanyard]

Does anyone know of a good 6 lug rear axle for AD Suburban axle swap. Ready set go...

[Iceburgh]

Mid 80's chevy 1/2 ton if you want a 6 lug.

[beanyard]

Originally Posted by Iceburgh

Mid 80's chevy 1/2 ton if you want a 6 lug.

Are they an ok width?

[NEWFISHER]

I think they are too wide.

Only 67, 68 and 69 1/2 ton c10 and k10 will get you later model bendix style brakes, 1/2 wider wms to wms (1/4 each side) and a 1310 super common ujoint. Torch the coil mounts off, weld on some universal saddles, position the axle in the forward hole and use the 67-69 ebrake clip with a 1/4 bolt 3 inches long welded to the clip for the ebrake adapter....done

[roger55]

'65 GMC Dana 44 in my '57 pickup.

[beanyard]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

I think they are too wide.

Only 67, 68 and 69 1/2 ton c10 and k10 will get you later model bendix style brakes, 1/2 wider wms to wms (1/4 each side) and a 1310 super common ujoint. Torch the coil mounts off, weld on some universal saddles, position the axle in the forward hole and use the 67-69 ebrake clip with a 1/4 bolt 3 inches long welded to the clip for the ebrake adapter....done

Thanks. Seems like great advice.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

I think they are too wide.

Only 67, 68 and 69 1/2 ton c10 and k10 will get you later model bendix style brakes, 1/2 wider wms to wms (1/4 each side) and a 1310 super common ujoint. Torch the coil mounts off, weld on some universal saddles, position the axle in the forward hole and use the 67-69 ebrake clip with a 1/4 bolt 3 inches long welded to the clip for the ebrake adapter....done

What do you mean by later model bendix style brakes? What's different about earlier Bendix style?

[beanyard]

Originally Posted by roger55

what do you mean by later model bendix style brakes? What's different about earlier bendix style?

x2

[beanyard]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

I think they are too wide.

Only 67, 68 and 69 1/2 ton c10 and k10 will get you later model bendix style brakes, 1/2 wider wms to wms (1/4 each side) and a 1310 super common ujoint. Torch the coil mounts off, weld on some universal saddles, position the axle in the forward hole and use the 67-69 ebrake clip with a 1/4 bolt 3 inches long welded to the clip for the ebrake adapter....done

Would the same years but GMC be better because weren't they leaf suspension? Instead of coils.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by beanyard

Would the same years but GMC be better because weren't they leaf suspension? Instead of coils.

My '65 GMC Dana 44 had leaf suspension but the perches need to be relocated as they are about 1/4" off on each side. No big deal to cut them off and get another set and welded on.

Before:



Check angle:



After:



Painted with SPI epoxy primer:





Brake backing plate mod:

Before:



Donor plate with correct style of e-brake connection cut out and ready to weld in:











Done:



Epoxy primered:



I also had an issue when buying new brake drums for this axle. I ended up buying Jeep Waggoneer drums and having a machine shop enlarging the center hole and drill out the lug holes a touch larger. Perfect and relatively cheap option.





Btw, I had new 3.54 gears and a new Trac-Loc (posi) put in this rear along with all new bearings. All parts came from Tom's Differential and I had it assembled by the guy in town with the best reputation for setting up gears. He charged me $150 for the labor.

[whitedog76]

If you want disc brakes, look into a Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon 4wd.

Another one is the 95 and newer Toyota Tacoma.

Again, you'll have to cut and weld in spring perches.

[lv2tri2]

There is some good help, all the way from Texas

[beanyard]

Originally Posted by roger55

My '65 GMC Dana 44 had leaf suspension but the perches need to be relocated as they are about 1/4" off on each side. No big deal to cut them off and get another set and welded on.

Before:



Check angle:



After:



Painted with SPI epoxy primer:





Brake backing plate mod:

Before:



Donor plate with correct style of e-brake connection cut out and ready to weld in:











Done:



Epoxy primered:



I also had an issue when buying new brake drums for this axle. I ended up buying Jeep Waggoneer drums and having a machine shop enlarging the center hole and drill out the lug holes a touch larger. Perfect and relatively cheap option.





Btw, I had new 3.54 gears and a new Trac-Loc (posi) put in this rear along with all new bearings. All parts came from Tom's Differential and I had it assembled by the guy in town with the best reputation for setting up gears. He charged me $150 for the labor.

Wow. Thanks for the detailed info.

[69l46vert]

Very nice work Roger55!

[NEWFISHER]

Later Bendix style vs. Huck style. The Bendix will allow the self adjust when backing up and braking feature.

http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/...t&Number=31955

[roger55]

My '65 GMC Bendix style have self-adjusters.

Here's a pretty good article. Bendix style has been around since 1939 and was used in used in most light trucks by the late '50s. Self adjusters came sometime in the '60s.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/chassis...system-basics/

[mr48chev]

His 53 should already have Bendix brakes on it.

A bit of curious snooping brought up this site, http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/ and if you scroll down it has wms to wms measurements on different Toyota six lug axles.
I didn't find available gear ratios though

[Old Crow]

I'm going to use a rear end out of a '66 C10. Both trucks had wheels so I couldn't measure wms to wms, but backing plate to backing plate they were the same.