Axle compatability

hey all,
I'm looking for an axle for my '66 and was wondering what years would fit.
I might be able to get a '63.

Thanks

I think all the axles are the same..............just differences in springs and grease fittings for king pins..........but all should work for ya.

"I THINK"

I thought you had a 64 Econo??????............hmmmmmmmmm.

There were some changes made to the axle and steering components in 64 I think.

Later,
Rip

I was also offered a 5 inch drop axle special made.
Don't have that much space but I could add lifting blocks.
Hm....

Econorat, are you coming to MidSouth this year? You're invited!

Later,
Rip

The axles are the same but the spindles changed in 64 and they use different kingpins. As long as you get the kingpins for the axle you are using you should have no problems. I have a 65 axle in my 63, It came in a parts truck with new kingpins already installed.
Fred

I'd like a shot at that 5" drop axle if you're willing to part with it.

Thanks guys,

I have a chance to look at both axles tomorrow.
I might have to order longer king pins or use my short ones for the drop axle.
Measured 6.5 inches from tire to wheel well so I think I'll have to use some lifting blocks ..........
I'd like to have the front low and the rear up, sort of the "California rake"

Cheers!

econorat wrote:Thanks guys,

............
I'd like to have the front low and the rear up, sort of the "California rake"

Cheers!

Put tall 15's on back.............short 14's on front............EASY AS 123..............want more adjustability??????????..........----------> "AIR SHOCKS".

This is how "we used to do it" back in the day. And you save your ride too!

But to be truthfull............jacking the back wears the front prematurely............and foxes roll out of the bed in the night........

fmc56 wrote:The axles are the same but the spindles changed in 64 and they use different kingpins. As long as you get the kingpins for the axle you are using you should have no problems. I have a 65 axle in my 63, It came in a parts truck with new kingpins already installed.
Fred

How do I determine what size king pins I need?

Oh well, the tubular drop axle doesn't have any spring perches or shock mounts. Would have to weld these on.
The 1964 axle is slightly bent and when I inserted my old pins just for test fitting I noticed they wiggle a little. How much play is there supposed to be?
Can the axle be straightened out by a shop?

Ok measured the '64 axle.
King pin is 0.741
Left axle bore is 0.751
Right axle bore is 0.747
I don't know the factory specs but this seems to be too much play.

econorat wrote:Oh well, the tubular drop axle doesn't have any spring perches or shock mounts. Would have to weld these on.
The 1964 axle is slightly bent and when I inserted my old pins just for test fitting I noticed they wiggle a little. How much play is there supposed to be?
Can the axle be straightened out by a shop?

PLAY????????
None that you can feel............they should be tight.

donivan65 wrote:And tight would mean a maximum of .003 between the kingpin size and it's bushing.

Or in old fashioned terms..............about a "XXXX hair"........... ( paper being way thicker than that)

Yeah, 10 thousands is a lot of play.
My machine shop guy says, he can't resleeve it due to lack of equipment.
(maybe it's a liability issue).

I guess I have to call around the few shops we have here in Knoxville.

Cheers!

Look for guys that specialize in working on commercial trucks & school buses and such.

That's where you'll find it done. I had a 1 1/2 ton panel I had the axle re-sleeved on and that who I got to do it.

Still think finding another one is way easier though. And likely cheaper.

I'm pulling a drop axle installed by the PO out of my'64 and returning it to stock. I had trouble with handling so this seemed to be the simplest solution. I will be looking to sell it here soon though, if anyone else is interested.

Machine shop said the axle has to be heated and the bore hammered to smaller size than re reamed to king pin size.
Cost estimate: $750

Cheers to that!

econorat wrote:Machine shop said the axle has to be heated and the bore hammered to smaller size than re reamed to king pin size.
Cost estimate: $750

Cheers to that!

A good shop that "knows what they are doing" and ain't looking to burn you should be able to put in inserts to bring it back to stock size.

But like I suggested over a month ago........................

if yours is screwed that bad............I'd just get another that is in better shape. Tim (Econparts) in Cincy area has them for sure. Sounds like it would be worth your time to ride up and pick one up.

Like I said............I replaced mine and I'm good as gold now.

Just a couple of notes,,, the axles themselves are the same from 61 to 67, the difference is in the spindles and the steering arm. 61 to 63 had a longer kingpin, large o rings on top and bottom, greased from the center of the spindle. Also, the bushings for the spindles are differently scored for grease entry between the two sets. The 64 to 67 spindles, having the different bushings, also, had caps on top and the bottom, with grease fittings in each of them for a total of four for the truck. They do not make oversize kingpins for the 64 to 67 spindles, however you can purchase a set of .010 oversize 61 to 63 pins and cut them to be the same length as the 64 to 67 pins, that way getting oversize pins for the lates. Then ream out the axle for tight fit to match the oversize set., even better for that would be to heat the axle ends to expand them after reaming to size, push the pins in place, and when the axle cooled it would constrict on the pins. The pins should be hard to push in by hand, or at least no wobble or not go in real easily, they are not supposed to move at all in the axle, the wedge pin supposed to lock the pin in place with NO movement. Also, the usuall of getting the correct king pin sets that dont have the lock grooves ground too deeply, not allowing the pins to securily lock them in. If you do get the wrong set, you can simply have the detents ground correctly on the opposite side of the king pins. Forget the measurements and the yrs, but also two different heights on the ball joints for the steering arms, so as to get the correct bump steer geometry.
vic

BTW,, Bought an special fixture for the milll for sleeving the axles, ITS NOT EASY setting it up,, a real bear I might say,, and in my opinion, even though I have the stuff to do it, would rather put in oversize pins or just get another axle,, just my thoughts on it..
vic

just gotta love old skool !!!!

I found a machine shop that did the resleeving for $160.
My friend had the locking pins made to measure at work.
It's all tight now