Questions about 14 bolt axles

[oskarkat]

I've tracked down a set of front/ rear chevy 14 bolt axles locally for $1000, Dana 60's but I don't really know a lot about axles. They're 4.11. My 715 has a 350 in it now and the stock transfer case/ drive shafts. Will I have to shorten/ lengthen the driveshafts to swap or otherwise mod? I want to add a 4BT eventually . I know the CUCV has 4.56 gears. What would be best for hilly backwoods driving on clay roads? Should I just keep looking for a surplus CUCV?

[k8icu]

Well unless you plan on doing a lot of highway driving the stock axles are very good for backwoods driving. That's what they were made for. If you not going to be doing highway driving I would save the cash and keep the stock axles.

[brute4c]

If you want to run a 4bt, the stock axles with 4.56 gears will work..well, they work well with an od trans...like the NV4500...let you cruise at 65 or better on the highway...though I could see one wanting the 4.11's in there too...if you cant find the 4.56 for the stock axles, then get the others and go...

[Ronner]

They are both right, but it really depends on your intended use.
If you are going to mainly run off road with 38" or less tires then stick with the stock gearing and axles.
If you want a daily driver that will run on the highway get the 411:1 axles.
Inbetween is a toss up. The 456 r&p for the stock axles will cost almost as much as a good deal on CUCV axles - but then you'd have stronger axles with better brakes, not to mention getting parts at your local store
Good luck

[Tomahawk715]

As was just stated---way cheaper to change gears, brakes or anything else on the Dana60 and 14 bolt.

They are n strong axles

60's have disc brakes--easy and cheap to swap 14 discs on.

Wider selection of rims for the chevy axles.

You would need conversion Ujoints if you changed nothing else but axles.