M1028a4

[mikeroot2]

If I have a 1028 with a 6bt Cummins(thanks cjtroutt), dana 70 rear, dana 61 front that cruises the highway at 90mph thanks to 3.07 gears(thus the 61 up front) what would the unofficial designation be? I'm thinking M1028A4. Thoughts?

 

[dstang97]

Did you buy that from him?

 

[rnd-motorsports]

LOOKS LIKE A NICE CLEAN INSTALL as for what it would be called that up to you as they never made a truck like that call it whatever you like . front is a dana 61 the dana 61 is a rear axle that mainly were used in fords they are about the same as a dana 60 rear but have a dif pinion offset to be able to run the higher gear set did somebody custom build one for the front? cool combo

 

[mikeroot2]

We worked out a deal involving my 818. Chris and I built the 61 and installed it last weekend. The axel took some custom pieces due to the chevy using 5/8 hardware to munt the springs and the dodge dana 61 using 9/16 with a narrower spread, but it turned out Sweet. The 61 being able to accept 3.07 gears is exactly why it was chosen. Chris Troutt is a no B.S. Hard working, wrench twisting Mother F-er.

 

[319]

That is an awesome truck. Runs fantastic and sounds great. Glad to hear the axle was swapped out, he had issues climbing hills in 2WD.

 

[WARWAG]

WHOAAAaaaa What a setup! What are your MPGs?

 

[Midnight Rider]

That'd be fun to drive.

 

[319]

WHOAAAaaaa What a setup! What are your MPGs?

I think the previous owner said something like mid twenties on the highway.

It is a work of art (actually Chris), the custom fabrication is second to none!

 

[ODdave]

Isn't it a 71 rear? Hope this is still at Chris's place sat, I would like to c it.

 

[mikeroot2]

MPG: Mid 20's with a lead foot. 30's driving normal. Chris definitely does outstanding work. I've been hanging out learning all I can. The truck is an absolute blast to drive! ODave, Dana 70HD. I will probably be around there Saturday. I'd like to see what you're bringing out as well.

 

[ODdave]

Just bringing some rims up, no cool MV , just a dodge.

 

[Bob H]

Awesome truck!
Pictures don't do it justice.
Can't believe Cris let it go .

 

[mikeroot2]

Ahh. Chris is working on a new project now to take it's place, and I'm not going anywhere if Chris wants to take it for a spin.

 

[dstang97]

Can You post more pictures and all of the info about the truck? IIRC it still uses the gm alts and is still 24v.

 

[mikeroot2]

I'll take a ton of pics tomorrow. I'm picking it up tonight hopefully. Went with M1028A4 for the plate. One alternator is the original GM, and one is new from a Freightliner on a custom, factory looking mount Chris made, and yes it is still 24 volt. the 400 trans has been rebuilt to 475HD specs & internals, the 205 transfer case has been rebuilt using lomax gears. 1410 u joints. Chris busted some A$$ on this truck. I'm proud to be the new owner.

 

[mikeroot2]

few more pics

 

[Atwater]

could you give us a brief overview of what is done to upgrade to 475hd specs?

 

[mikeroot2]

Atwater, Chris will have to chime in here as I haven't gotten into the nitty gritty of that yet.

 

[12vctd]

LOOKS LIKE A NICE CLEAN INSTALL as for what it would be called that up to you as they never made a truck like that call it whatever you like . front is a dana 61 the dana 61 is a rear axle that mainly were used in fords they are about the same as a dana 60 rear but have a dif pinion offset to be able to run the higher gear set did somebody custom build one for the front? cool combo

Dana 61 is not a custom axle thou like mikeroot said it takes some hardware mods to make work. The dana 61 is a true front axle theres ton's of them in dodge trucks. And Ford used them in the rear of vans.

Quote from pirate 4x4 for info on a Dana 61
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What's the deal with the Dana 61?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With mileage and emissions concerns rising, at some point Dodge and / or Ford decided they wanted to be able to offer gears higher than the current highest ratio of 3.54 available in the D60. However, because of the design of the D60 the pinion head could not be made big enough to achieve a higher ratio. Hence, the birth of the Dana 61, which has a different casting that moves the pinion over 0.25"-0.437" (conflicting reports) - this allowed for a 3.07 axle ratio. The Dana 61 also uses 3.5" axle tubes. Other than that, it is very similar to the Dana 60. The Dana 61 was common in Dodge front ends and Ford van rears.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The difficulty with the Dana 61 is very limited gear and locker choices. However, you can use a combination of ring gear spacer and thick gear set to allow the use of differentials and gear sets intended for the Dana 60. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Slagburn reports: to run a 4.88 I had to go with series 3 carrier, series 1 being 4.10 and down, series 2 being 4.56 and up, then the series 3. PLUS a .160" spacer. That's the problem, nobody makes a full case locker for a 61, but it could be doable with a thick ring gearset AND a spacer.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Reider racing< Randy's R&P, and other sources make ring gear spacers for the Dana 61 .[/FONT]

 

[mikeroot2]

12vctd, nice use of google. Good info. The axle is indeed a front.
Chris, I look forward to helping you build the M1031A3! I'll see ya tomorrow morning.