Salisbury front axle

[FerRi]

Hi,

I am in the process of putting a Salisbury front axle in my Defender! The plan is going Dana60 30 spline internals, with 1.3" 300M axles along with 30 spline LongField cv´s. However I would love to go full 35 spline in the front (already have a rear salisbury with Dana60 35 spline conversion), but haven´t figured out how could I do this without going with an open knuckle conversion (too much cut and weld for me). I´ve thought on using Series knuckles (they´re bigger from what i´ve been told), but would a 35 spline cv/axle from Longfield fit on these with a few mods??

Any other suggestions??

[F'n_Rover]

101 axle ? they have some big balls.

[ISUZUROVER]

Normal series chrome balls are smaller on the inside than a coiller ball (Stage 1 excepted).

Your only easy option would be to ring Mal story (Maxi-Drive). He makes chrome balls from 4340 (not too far off 300m - which is also known as 4340m) which are series-sized on the outside but 101FC-sized on the inside. They can then fit the HUGE 101 CV which has 21-spline 1.47" shafts, or could probably fit 1.5" shafts and a D60 UJ also.

But make sure you are sitting down when you ask the price...

using 101 chrome balls is also a possibility, but they are welded to the axle tube on a 101, so would involve as much welding as fitting open knuckles - unless you use a complete 101 front axle.

[FerRi]

Normal series chrome balls are smaller on the inside than a coiller ball (Stage 1 excepted).

Your only easy option would be to ring Mal story (Maxi-Drive). He makes chrome balls from 4340 (not too far off 300m - which is also known as 4340m) which are series-sized on the outside but 101FC-sized on the inside. They can then fit the HUGE 101 CV which has 21-spline 1.47" shafts, or could probably fit 1.5" shafts and a D60 UJ also.

But make sure you are sitting down when you ask the price...

using 101 chrome balls is also a possibility, but they are welded to the axle tube on a 101, so would involve as much welding as fitting open knuckles - unless you use a complete 101 front axle.

Well, using 101 axles is not a possibility, because it has different length than my rear Salisbury and I already have the front Salis, don´t want to get rid of them, at least not yeat! Would love to have some chrome balls from Maxidrive, but I am in Europe, and those being expensive in OZ, I woulnd´t imagine what Outback Import would charge me for it (their price tags on Maxidrive products here in Europe are excessive and maxidrive won´t sell directly to European customers )

And what about those Stage One chrome balls?? would a 80 series LongField CV fit on those...wouldn´t go with a larger shaft (I belieive to be 1.3 30 spline also) but at least woud be a bigger/stronger cv!

[ISUZUROVER]

Maxidrive may sell direct on a specialty/one-off item like this - no harm in calling Mal to ask, he is a nice guy...

I heard from someone that 80s CVs would just fit in a Stage 1 ball - with a bit of machining, but would foul the swivel pins - so you would have to set up something special there. Which would be a lot of machining and effort even if you could get it to work.

[FerRi]

Thanks for your help! Will consider the Maxidrive solution and maybe give´m a call, although an expensive part like this wasn´t on my initial budget!! Will think about it but will probably go with the first option....not much fuss about it and it´s quite a bolt in setup (and a lot cheapper also)! The Defender will be running 39", will see if it holds up, otherwise will go with maxidrive chrome balls or an open knuckel conversion!!

Thanks again!

[andrew e]

why dont you just get a D60 front end and have the pinion swapped sides? it would be heaps cheaper and less hassle at the end. would handle 39s easily.

Andy

[FerRi]

why dont you just get a D60 front end and have the pinion swapped sides? it would be heaps cheaper and less hassle at the end. would handle 39s easily.

Andy

Front Dana60s are not that easy to find over here. Even if I had one, europeans get really scared when you mention things like "cutting an axle, weld it again". I guess things overhere aren´t like in Aus or the US yet. The original front salis was the best I can get to put the front of my Defender strong, just was wondering if I could get it 35 splined like I did the rear, but I guess not, at least not that easy.

Meanwhile I have another question. in my rear Salisbury I have an ARB RD36 (dana60 35 spline 4.10 & DN) along with 4.1 gears . I am considering going 4.88s or lower now with the 39s, but ARB mentions RD35 for this gears (4.56 & UP). Will I have to get another locker?!? Or can I get my current ARB to fit my new gears??

Thanks

[aloharover]

why dont you just get a D60 front end and have the pinion swapped sides? it would be heaps cheaper and less hassle at the end. would handle 39s easily.

Andy

Front Dana60s are not that easy to find over here. Even if I had one, europeans get really scared when you mention things like "cutting an axle, weld it again". I guess things overhere aren´t like in Aus or the US yet.

GM and Dodge front D60s are right side drops. Ford is left hand.
So if you find a GM or Dodge no need to worry about it.
Doesn't solve your rarity issue, but at least you know what to look for