Not much luck with the search function so will someone answer a couple of questions?
From my search I understand the following about the stock Dana 70 axle:
Backing plate to backing plate measurement = 55.5"
Perches are 52.5" apart (cralwed under Big Cheese and got 50.5"
WMS/WMS = 72.5" (have not measured mine)
I have a 14 bolt in the garage that a friend gave me; no idea what it is from and it will need a complete rebuild and gear swap. By my measurements it has:
Backing plate to backing plate = 56"
perches are 50" apart
WMS/WMS is 70"
Is this a standard 14 bolt or the van 14 bolt? With these measurement is this the axle width "that almost fits" but needs to be converted to discks? Who has the best deal on good quality disck conversions? I need the one without the e-brake system. Looking at them on ebay I see prices ranging from $275 to $500 for a complete setup.
I just got offered a completely rebuilt Dodge Dana 70 (everything replaced, new 3" brake shoes, 3/4" studs, etc.) with 4.10 gears and a limited slip in it for $200. The guy where my daughter keeps her horse bought it and rebuilt it to swap under his Dodge 1 ton dually horse hauler only to find out it was a single wheel axle and his duelly stuff won't fit. The measurements I made tonight on it are:
Backing plate to backing plate - 55.5"
perches are 43.5" apart
WMS/WMS is 64.5"
The Dodge 70 is 8" narrower than the stock 70 but I think the stock rims have about 5.5" of back spacing. My "new" Dana 60 front axle is also a Dodge and has 4.88 gearing but I don't know it's WMS/WMS measurement offhand. I think the 4.88 ratio is a good choice for the 6.2 and NV4500 with 38-40" tires (38's on it now). Should I/would you:
1. Rebuild the 70" 14 bolt with 4.88's and disc brakes;
2. Buy the rebuilt Dodge 70 and run it with drum brakes;
3. Buy a CUCV 14 bolt with the Detroit and 4.56 gears and regear the front Dodge 60 to 4.56 gears;
4. Do something else.
Lastly, does anyone have the backing plate to backing plate, perch width, and WMS/WMS specs for the CUCV and van 14 bolt axles?
As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience and opinions.