Convert M715 to 8 on 6.5"?

[DavidWymore]

Looks like a guy can swap the hubs on the rear 70. What about the front?

Thanks.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I doubt it. Most of the guys at www.m715zone.com are pretty smart. If it was easier than swapping in axles, I'm sure they would be doing it. Might want to check them out.

 

[DavidWymore]

Well, yeah, I know the 60 hubs won't fit. How about swapping from the knuckles out? Prolly not since it's closed knuckle. Have to swap whole axle?

What I"m up to is I have a customer with a 715 that wants to get rid of the split rims. Other options?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Custom rims from Marsh Racing Wheels or McCord Terra tire sales would do it

 

[gimpyrobb]

Yeah, there are a few makers of custom rims. Some are even reasonable. Most of the guys on the zone get cucv axles to swap in.

 

[DavidWymore]

We recenter ag wheels all the time. Usually shy away from street stuff due to liability issues. I think we might just go ahead and do it for him. The ole 715 ain't likely to hit fwy speeds anytime soon.

 

[Elwenil]

Generally M715 owners swap the whole axle assemblies to CUCV axles or something similar because of all the added benefits. 8 lug wheel pattern, disc brake front axle, cheaper possibilities for rear disc brake swaps, better/stronger axles, parts availability, more streetable gearing and wider gear choices, better turning radius with an open knuckle front axle, etc.

There are just way too many benefits to swapping axles than just rim choices. The only good reason to keep the stock axles is lack of cash or a stock restoration. Considering that custom rims can run as much as $1000 and a set of CUCV axles can be had for not a lot more, it seems strange to even waste time on the old axles. Also consider the fact that a modern Dana 44 front axle is quite a bit stronger and better engineered than the stock Dana 60 front and the choice just becomes common sense.

Just my .02

 

[spicergear]

I can't remember exactly how the thread went but at one point I think someone surmised or actually did do what was needed to get 14 bolt hubs on front or rear. Can't remember exactly...sorry.

 

[98hd]

For the front, a dodge dana 70 closed knuckle front might swap over to the closed knuckle 60. Still drum brakes through.

 

[Elwenil]

The D70 front swap wouldn't be worth it. You still end up with a old, weaker axle with a huge turning radius and low parts availability. A D60 or D44 front swap is the only thing reasonable and a D60/70 or 14Bolt for the rear.

 

[98hd]

The D70 front swap wouldn't be worth it. You still end up with a old, weaker axle with a huge turning radius and low parts availability. A D60 or D44 front swap is the only thing reasonable and a D60/70 or 14Bolt for the rear.

I'm talking hubs, or knuckles out from said axle, to convert lug pattern, not the whole axle.

 

[bcowanwheels]

early dodge hubs will work.

 

[Barrman]

But, like Lanty wrote. You still have a small tube axle housing with thin coarse splines compared to stuff designed only 30 years ago.

Bob has put the Dodge closed knuckle hubs on the M715 D60 and it works. But, what do you gain? You still have to make the rears 8 lug and the front axle shaft will still go POP!! a lot faster than an open knuckle axle with disc brakes.

 

[spicergear]

The axle strength on these still depends on how much a person beats on the stupid pedal. It's been argued enough that I feel I can say that it's fairly well accepted that 39" and under and the stock axles will hold up pretty well. Uhm, this is excluding 39" Boggers and amped up big block...I mean really people, that'll break ANY stock 60. It's how you drive them and what you drive them into. Mud hurts stuff. 40" and up doing bunch of off roading with lockers and expect to pop a front axleshaft. Leave the front open with 40"+ and you'll go longer.

I ran 37" Boggers on mine with 240-260hp 427BBC tall deck. Put it in rocks, put it in mud, dragged stuff from the front and still had no problems.