60's Suck

[Kiel]

Well I recentley purchased a yj frame to start my next buildup. I was planning on a d60 hp front and 14 bolt or 70 rear, but the lack of hp fronts and money to upgrade them with tires over 39's has we wondering about the current trend of rockwell axles.

I know I know, but what if you were planning on running 44 inch tires and never wanted to upgrade. Or if you did you can get those new 47 spline 2 inch axle shafts flanges, locker or spool for like 2k. So you would have like lets say 2600 into a rockwell front with 6.72 gears more ground clearence then a dana 60 after shaving, 2 inch axle shafts etc etc. The only downside is the weight. Which is like 200 more tops per axle. But it's unsprung weight so that could be good? So in the end you would have unbreakable axles with rear steer for somewhere around 5000-6 k capable of running over 50 inch tires. I know thats ridiculous, but what if. I'm just thinking of skipping the dana 60 money pit and running some 44-49 inch meats. I know I'm rambling, but what do you guys think, and whos got some under their rig.

 

[Kiel]

plus you can get slightly used military tires a set of 4 395 85 20's for 300 bucks. 46x14x20R inches

 

[rockreligious]

for your sammy? I say overkill, but overkill is cool.....make sure you post up pix.

 

[notajeep]

I am all for it. Dana 60's are for led footed hillbillies anyway. :greg:

 

[Kiel]

for your sammy? I say overkill, but overkill is cool.....make sure you post up pix.

No not for the samurai I recentley bought a sweet yj frame to start off my sweet buggy with.

 

[Cody]

Weight makes a big difference. When my rig dropped 500 lbs of weight and everything else stayed the same, it was infinately more capable.

Plus, then you get into shitty big tires. Lots of sidewally, lots of bounce, they aren't as sticky, they are super wide. I've yet to see a rig on rockwells and big dumb balloon tires be any where near as capable as a solid rig on 37-40's and 60's. Unless you live in the mud or Oklahoma, big dumb tires, and big heavy rockwells aren't that cool. The extra 100 lbs per tire and 200 lbs per axle will tear everything else apart.

It's like that "ogre' rig from EJS a few years ago. Single seater with rockwells and 53's. Barely could get up dump bump, then broke 5 shafts in the matter of 5 minutes trying to make it up the beginning of Upper Helldorado. Sweet rig.

Ths just isn't the terrain for 120 wb, 95" wide, 6000 lb rigs with 53" tires.

thats my 2 pesos.

Cody

 

[Herzog]

I'll have to agree with Cody...

but to each their own. I've seen a few (not "few", not "a lot") of rigs with rockwells that were built well and did pretty good. But overall, the weight/size/width of rockwells are just not worth it.

Remember, there is an optimum to everything.

60's are definately costing more than they are worth though... IMO.

 

[toomeymd]

This is from KSL, $80 for a 44 isn't bad, $80 for a 60 is dirt cheap

axle chevy jeep rock crawler three wheeler ford jacket
ogden, UT 84404 - Sep 27, 2006
hello i have a bunch of stuff im selling i have a dana 44 front axle 80$ i have a dana 60 rear axle 80$ kawasaki 110 three wheeler 150$ 1981 250r three wheeler 400$ soft jeep doors 50 $ sound stream amp 50$ mickey t tires 35x14.50x15 400$ rear tire axle hub sprocket assembley off of a 2002 crf 450r 150$ 1984 kawasaki ninja 900 mint condition 3000$ ford hood off a 1972 ford 50$ leather biker jacket medium in size brown in color 30$ or here are the things i am looking for to trade if you would like getrag v360 tranny out of dodge d 350 2wd . 205 transfere case with turbo 350 adapter plate, dana 60 front end, big block chevy running complete , injection for small block chevy ring and pinion 4:56 for 9inch rear end dana 44 front end locker


Seller Contact Info
Contact Name:
Tony Home Phone:
801-645-4959

 

[Cody]

I think the coolest rockwell rig is that black and green one from price. it's relatively narrow for rockwells, really low slung, and only runs I think 42's.

42's are still a little big and bouncy for my taste, but they seem to do ok once you get them down to 2 psi or so.

Cody

 

[78mitsu]

I think the coolest rockwell rig is that black and green one from price. it's relatively narrow for rockwells, really low slung, and only runs I think 42's.

42's are still a little big and bouncy for my taste, but they seem to do ok once you get them down to 2 psi or so.

Cody

that's BlazerJeremy's rig, I think it's silver and green tho- It's extremely capableon 42's

I made the same arguments against rockwells when I first looked @ that rig, Turns out a rockwell with the knuckles turned in an the right backspacing on the rim is about the same width as a full sized dana 60, and if you remove the drums off the outside and run a pinion brake, it's within a 100lbs of a 60 as well, they have like 2" shafts and u joits around the 1410 range, better driveline angles.

Worst part about them is they don't turn very sharp without some serious modifications to the Cs. But I would say if you're looking @ 60s a rockwell could be cheaper and is stronger.

but what do I know I'm running a 5 lug 44/60 with 40" tires.

 

[Herzog]

I think the coolest rockwell rig is that black and green one from price. it's relatively narrow for rockwells, really low slung, and only runs I think 42's.

42's are still a little big and bouncy for my taste, but they seem to do ok once you get them down to 2 psi or so.

Cody

That's one of them. It was originally built by a guy named Sterling and sold off. Cool rig... high clearance belly, low cog, somewhat narrow rockwells.

 

[I Lean]

Rockwells = gay. That is all.

 

[Kiel]

Gay people always think other things they don't know about are gay

 

[Kiel]

Rockwells from what I've researched can have the hubs flipped so that the front wms is 69.5 just like a front 60, so no real difference there. Plus there are upgrades widely available now to keep over 50 inch tires alive no problem. Plus you don't need to upgrade knuckles king pins etc. Plus rear steer is stock on many which you have to admit would be bitchin!!!

 

[AINT SKEERED]

Rockwells = gay. That is all.

Why do you say that? Im not trying to call you out I'd actually like to hear your opinion.




I would much rather have a rock front than a 60, and they go for half what a 60 does. I think rocks are a good way to go, especially if you are already towing the vehicle.

 

[CrawlerCraig]

I have a HP FORD dana 60 king pin I would let go for $1200

 

[I Lean]

Rockwells are huge, with the hubs flipped they're narrower but still huge in other ways. The third member is huge/heavy, like needs an engine hoist or overhead crane to put them in/out. The pinion is super-high, which necessitates a higher rig overall, generally speaking. There aren't many options for lockers and none for different gears, which may or may not matter to you. They have relatively weak axleshafts and steering joints stock, so there's no real strength advantage there. From memory, the rear shafts are quite a bit smaller than you'd expect....like similar in size to stock rear D60 30 spline crapshafts. The front diff isn't very offset from center, so that causes issues with engine clearance. (also contributing to high rigs) Stock brakes generally replaces with super-spendy disc brakes, or pinion brakes which I don't like. They're effective but very touchy, and if/when you break you no longer have any braking at that wheel....and if you don't have a locker you may not have braking at the other wheel on that axle, either.

I think I've covered most of my problems with 'em, but I may have forgotten some......

For rear steer, you need to front axles, and not every supplier will seperate pairs--so you may end up with surplus rear axles you don't want/need. (that's not a Rock-specific problem, just an observation)

 

[dep]

Carl stop acting like you know something about building rigs. Have you never even heard of top truck challenge, they all have rockwells

 

[I Lean]

Carl stop acting like you know something about building rigs. Have you never even heard of top truck challenge, they all have rockwells

You're absolutely right, I forgot all about TTC. I apologize to any/all TTC entrants or hopefuls.

In the end, it's all personal preference anyway. Whatever your choices are, you'll end up spending more money than you want to spend to get the components you want or need.

 

[Cody]

Rockwells from what I've researched can have the hubs flipped so that the front wms is 69.5 just like a front 60, so no real difference there. Plus there are upgrades widely available now to keep over 50 inch tires alive no problem. Plus you don't need to upgrade knuckles king pins etc. Plus rear steer is stock on many which you have to admit would be bitchin!!!

Ya, true. And 50" tires would be good for.....ummm....uhhh.....well they would be super.....umm.....well.....

I'm going with absolutely nothing and super lame because of point A and the fact that they look gay because they are so completely inept in real world applications.


Cody