Dana front and rear thoughts.

[JimCT]

So if you are not happy with the LR why have one in the first place? Just curious.

[SGS714]

So if you are not happy with the LR why have one in the first place? Just curious.

I apologize if I have offended you is some way. You have not made a positive statement yet in your post on this thread. I do not recall ever saying I was not happy with the LR. As an owner of 3 Land Rover Products with only 2 drivers in the family and no other makes of transportation I am curious how you came to this conclusion. Actually I really don't care and prefer not reading another post from you on this topic.

[SafeAirOne]

any idea where to get one? The ones I found for sale were ridiculously expensive.

Good point...It's easy for me to presume that they're laying around the countryside, just waiting to be wisked away for pennies on the dollar, because I'm not in need of one.

[SGS714]

If I may make a suggestion...

Why not just slap a Salisbury (Dana 60) rear axle in there and be done with it? The cost may be more at the outset, but if your time is worth anything, it'll be cheaper in the end.

I agree but have not found one for less money then I paid for my truck. I do a search in eBay for Salisbury and then one for Dana to keep looking and hope to trip over something that works. I thought I had a Dana 60, but didn't realize they had center diff.

Are there any other makes or models out there that used the Dana 60 with passenger side drop diff or was this only a Rover thing?

Again, appreciate the thoughts.

[thixon]

SGS 714,

Most of us don't know much about you, so we don't know what you're capable of. If fab work is no problem for you, then go for it. At a minimum on any axle swap you'll be looking at fabbing/mounting new spring perches, dealing with axle positioning (can be a bear b/c of camber and castor issues), and dealing with drive shaft issues. You could make those axles work, but there are some easier options out there. There was an intersting post just recently on this board concerning Toyota FJ40 axles. Do a search for it. Alternatively, there are shaft upgrades to the rover axle that seem to work well for people (see www.seriestrek.com or www.greatbasinrovers.com). The Salisbury option is a good one. It will cost you more for the axle than the deal you have going for the dana's, but will be a faster swap (probably).

Good luck, and post up what/how you go about your fix!

[LR Max]

Good price on axles, but not for installation into your rover.

While I'm sure you are oogling over a Dana 60, the fact of the matter is that stock Dana 60s aren't that much stronger than a Dana 44. The 44 and the 60 both have the same axle shaft size. Also there is a possibility that the Dana 60 you are looking at is semi-float, making it less desirable.

However the front Dana 44 is desirable for jeepers. You could probably pick it up for $100 and then sell it for ~$300. Maybe more if you painted it and cleaned it up. Also assuming said axle isn't all shot to crap (I.E. good gears, good carrier, good shafts, etc).

[SGS714]

SGS 714,

Most of us don't know much about you, so we don't know what you're capable of. You could make those axles work, but there are some easier options out there. There was an intersting post just recently on this board concerning Toyota FJ40 axles. Do a search for it. Alternatively, there are shaft upgrades to the rover axle that seem to work well for people (see www.seriestrek.com or www.greatbasinrovers.com). The Salisbury option is a good one. It will cost you more for the axle than the deal you have going for the dana's, but will be a faster swap (probably).

Good luck, and post up what/how you go about your fix!

Thixon, Thanks! I am new to wrench turning with no background other than a desire to be more self reliant and have a deeper understanding of how these outstanding pieces of engineering work. I enjoy the process of creating equipment ideal for my needs. The RRC I drive has been a very long 3 year project that I was the assistant for my mechanic on, but learned a great deal along the way. Owned an 89 RRC since new and upgraded to the present 95 3 years ago. Back to the Series....Have always admired them for the obvious reasons and sold a MGB I had driven in the summers for 13 years and bought my present project. Your post was very helpful and will pass on these axles and probably make the investment in the Seriestrek, or Great Plains solution to knock this off my (I want to do someday list).

Below is a list of things we have done to this truck in the last 60 days and now have a fairly reliable driver. Servo, clutch master, 16" rims and BF Goodyear MT's, Roverdrive, brake lines, wheel cylinders, seals, carb overhaul, complete steam cleaning and then Waxoled, and new seats and suspension. And have no regretts so far....all monies well spent.

[yorker]

The easiest upgrade would be Series Trek's 24 spline conversion. You don't mention if your IIa is an 88 or a 109? For total axle swaps:If you are looking at Jeep axles then the narrowtrack Dana 44s would be a source. the narrow Land Cruiser 40/45/55 axles are another option.

In reality if it is an 88" you are probably fine with the 10 spline axles, just check them once in a while to make sure the splines are not twisted, if they are then replace both sides. These trucks went all over the world with 10 spline axles and got by just fine. It isn't the best design, it isn't bulletproof, but it does work and is your cheapest and likely most sensible option.

[amcordo]

Yo!

The PO of my POS (but I love it) swapped out all the original SIII axles with new ones. I've got to admit that I haven't even touched those yet (beyond routine oil changing) so I'm in over my head here. All I remember is that he said he swapped them out to make sure they were Salisbury from a Stage 1. Haven't had a problem with them yet while driving it on highways all the time.

Anyway, moral of the story is that I think he got them from the website below. If I remember looking at the old invoice shipping from the UK for the axle wasn't very expensive (though it was probably on a slow boat). Just something to think about if none of the stores this side of the pond are sitting on a new one...

http://www.lrseries.com/

[mongoswede]

Series III Stage 1 V8 Salisbury rear axle assembly:
http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product...lisbury&page=1 Shipping will likely be expensive.


the older units are available too. Do a search on that UK site under Land Rover Series & "Salisbury". If you decide to go that route you might ask around as some one else may be interested in shipping one as well...if it might cut down on shipping.