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Post by rsmith on Apr 12, 2005 9:43:13 GMT -5
Dan has expressed interest in putting Rockwell axles under his fullsize Bronco. I wanted to start this thread to help us all understand the advantages and disadvantages of these axles. As with pretty much anything there are good and bad points to consider. Rockwells aren't necessarily the perfect selection for every trail rig. Dan what is your motor, trans, and t-case setup in your Bronco? Here starts my joys and complaints after running Rockwells for a while: Positive Points: - Price: Got a rear non-steer axle for $100 - front steer axle was $500 2 years ago. That may be higher now. Compare that to 1 ton axles that may need a gear swap. I have known people to get a whole truck for $500
- 6.72:1 Gear ratio and that is your only option. Great for automatic transmissions that will not have that granny low gear - even better with a manual and granny low.
- Steer axle can be rotated to be driver side drop or passenger side drop.
- Steer knuckles can be rotated to run the tie rod in front or back whichever you prefer.
- Wonderful ground clearance especially when you shave some off the bottom of the housing.
- Spools are available, but I welded the snot out of my spider gears and carrier have had no trouble. There is plenty to weld to in there.
- Top loading pinion so the driveshaft will have great angles and will be out of harms way.
Negatives: - A bit on the heavy side, but is a lot lighter when the stock drum brakes are cut off and run pinion brakes.
- Even though it is possible to make it street legal you will have to go to great lengths to do so. Pinion brakes and hydraulic steering are not road legal.
- Only rated for 55mph.
- Not sure if this is a positive or negative, but they probably won't be worth running unless you are running 44" tires or larger.
- Rims will have to be fabricated with Rockwell bolt pattern centers.
- Don't think that because the are 2.5 ton axles that they won't break.
- Very wide. Hummer rims and flipped hubs could help this some .
I am sure I will think of something else - feel free to add comments that I have not thought of. |
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Post by rsmith on Apr 12, 2005 9:54:56 GMT -5
I will probably keep thinking of things.
The biggest maintenance trouble I have had with them is the rubber boots that are supposed to keep dirt and mud out of the knuckle. They are very prone to getting ripped and torn. Just about every time I dunk the axles in a major mud and water the knuckles need to be removed and cleaned and regreased. I guess I need to make some guards to protect them.
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Post by rsmith on Apr 12, 2005 10:11:14 GMT -5
I keep thinking of things that I left out  Oil pan clearance may be an issue in the front. There is quite a bit that sticks up from the center line of the center tube compared to other axles. |
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Post by JWP on Apr 12, 2005 10:14:31 GMT -5
Your center of gravity will be very high in order to clear the 9 inch tall top loader design.
Even with rear steer, these axles have horrible turning radius.
Most people that go to these seem to lose all understanding on how to drive and pick a line because all they do is just run over stuff now.
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Post by Busted Knuckle Racing on Apr 12, 2005 10:18:41 GMT -5
I keep thinking of things that I left out That's okay, Rob... we all know you are just padding your post count.  |
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Post by rsmith on Apr 12, 2005 10:27:45 GMT -5
Most people that go to these seem to lose all understanding on how to drive and pick a line because all they do is just run over stuff now. Jason is this a positive or negative?  Brad - now I am padding the post account  |
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Post by JWP on Apr 12, 2005 18:16:04 GMT -5
It is a positive if you enjoy watching people beat on their equipment and do crazy/stupid things.
If you like watching people drive with skill and finesse, then it is a negative thing.
I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea on my impression of Rockwell's. I do like them in certain applications. I had a set that I was going to use and ended up trading them in a good deal on some one ton's.
I do think that for the money, there is no easier way to build a cheap, heavy duty trail rig.
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Post by dan99tj on Apr 12, 2005 21:32:42 GMT -5
i am very interested in the rockwells because of the price and just because i did not break anything in grey rock does not mean i will not continue to break what i have. my toe-in in horrible when i put it in reverse to the point i think it is going to break the spindle. i have a 351, c6, and would love to run 44's on it, i started out just wanting 35's, then 39's, and now after seeing all the rigs on grey rock wanting 44's. i wound like to have 1 tons but i can't find a front end under a arm and a leg.
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Post by JWP on Apr 13, 2005 7:21:48 GMT -5
I do have a neighbor that has a 78 ford f-250 that has dana 60 front and rear. This is the hard sought after front high pinion 60 that everyone wants for a ford.
He wants $1500 for the truck. I do not know the gear ratio but I would bet that it is 4.10 because it has a manual transmission.
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Post by rsmith on Apr 13, 2005 9:10:55 GMT -5
You know Dan, you may come out ahead buying that F250 and not messing the Bronco up. Strip that truck down and make it a little more light weight and wheel it. I am sure the truck has a 351m 400 in it. That is similar to what I had in my Bronco. It is a good motor if all cylinders are hitting, but nothing to jump up and down about in the horsepower arena. One thing about the motor - it is very difficult to blow up.  It may have an NP435 standard which can be adapted to a small block Ford engine pretty easily. It will have a NP205 t-case which is very strong and desireable. |
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Post by dan99tj on Apr 13, 2005 20:32:02 GMT -5
i would like to talk to him about the truck. i would like to swap the axles in the bronco although i don't drive it too much on the road just every now and then. i do know that heather would rather divorce me than buy another old ford truck to have sitting around the house because i have the bronco, Z71, cj5, motorcycle, 4 wheelers, her jeep. i am already getting the dirty looks about the cj5 even with it painted and running.
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Post by Busted Knuckle Racing on Apr 13, 2005 21:05:35 GMT -5
Put the 60's under the CJ and stretch it out!  |
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Post by rsmith on Apr 14, 2005 12:11:31 GMT -5
Dats a good ideer Brad Maybe look like this, but not as extreme if you don't want want to.  |
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Post by Busted Knuckle Racing on Apr 14, 2005 13:27:52 GMT -5
;D ooh, coilovers, yeah, yeah.... you might leave out the sound system though. |
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Post by rsmith on Apr 21, 2005 8:54:00 GMT -5
Dan check this out. Here is a product that solves a lot issues with Rockwell axles. It is a disc brake conversion with 8 lug hubs. Not sure of the price, but I am thinking it may be a bit pricey. It is worth a thought.  For more info, their Web site is: www.ouversonengineering.com/ |
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