axle question

[fine 67]

is it possible to take a rear axle out of a1971 k-20 turn it into a front axle for a 1959 . i can see having to cut the tube and off set the diff.i was thinking welding on dana disc brakes .the part i do not understand is the gears will they turn the wrong way or will they have to be changed /can you evan get gears like that . thanks for the help mark

[ghettoluxury]

It is possible but not worth it. The axle that you need to cut the outer C's off of is a Dana 60 and they are pretty much bullet proof.

A front axle is just a rear turned around and riding on the coast side of the gear. Think of it as being in reverse, the axle turns the other way with the same gear.

[lukefalls]

Yes, there axle will spin the wrong direction. If you go to Pirate 4x4, there is a thread under either the Chevy forum or General forum where some people convert the HO 52/72 (that is what you should have) to a front. To get the axle to spin the correct direction, the flip the third member.

If you axle does not have a third member, then it should be a Dana 60.

No, it is not worth converting. There are a ton of great junk-yard axles that make great swaps. Narrowing an axle or moving spring perches is much easier and cheaper than what you want to do. You'd have to have custom axle shafts made, custom axle seals, etc.

[mud slut 350]

itd be a lot cheaper and easier just to get a D60 front