Joe's SOA on his 81 Scrambler / 1 Ton axles

I think my tires could use a little more room so I am thinking about a spring over axle job. As you can see my scrambler is not stock so hopefully this will go easily. Then again everything seems to be difficult sooner or later. Lets see what happens.

Some before pictures.

1. Step1. Ask the club what should I expect. Plan out what could be a problem. Will the brake lines be long enough, how about tire rap, will my drive line be straight enough. All these questions and many more.  5/8/2002

2. Well after much debate about long term goals, check book concerns and long discussions with people who are important to me here is the goal. Over a four month period I will acquire two new axles. I have chosen full size  Dana 44's (front) and Dana 60 (rear) donated from a couple of Chevy trucks. We will cut down and restock those axles with some goodies. 7/27/2002

3. OK, my direction has changed again, Going with Dana 60 front and 14 bolt rear because I got the axles at a good deal. The front 60 has a locker, new calipers, dif guards, thick rotors, HD high steering, premium warn hubs, new ujoints and 4:88 gears. The 14 bolt is welded with drums and a dif guard. I have also purchased a Dana 300. The idea is to put a 4:1 kit in it. Install a Novak kit with a clocking pattern and make room underneath. Then put the axles on using a 4 link spring systems. Later I will work on rear disc and such. 11/5/2002

4. Plans keeping changing. I have installed the 300 and clocked it up using Novaks kit. While there I put in a twin stick and gained 2 inches of center clearance. My wife is now 5 months along so plans will probably change again. I am currently debating just doing a spring over on the 1 ton axles. 5/11/03

5. Plans did change, full width axles are gone. Then again I bought some more it's just they need to be upgraded where as the last set where ready to go. I now have a hollow 60 front and a stock rear 14 bolt. 8/31/03

6. The build begins:  It took 6 months. Did it in free time. 10/03 - 3/04

14 bolt: Stock, 3.?? gears and drum brakes. I converted it to disc brakes with a emergency brake. My friend Clay helped with the new 5:13 gears, detroit locker.

Dana 60: It had 4:10 gears, no shafts and empty out knuckles.Clay put in 5:13 gears, detroit locker.

5/1/04 - They go on.