'63 Front Axle Q's

[Trekker73]

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for listening. I'm a good general top-end mechanic but am completely ignorant of driveline & suspension issues and axle-speak is like greek to me. I've done a good deal of searching the forums but haven't found the answers I'm looking for.

My rig is a '63 c1200 with a 304. T98 trans and a dana44 closed knuckle drum brake on the front. My noobie axle questions:

1) I'd prefer an open-knuckle setup with disc brakes up front, but have no real problem with sticking to drums if needed. I'm trying to find what options are available to me in terms of a swap.

2) I've also found that one of the hub lockers isn't functional, so have to consider that fact when choosing an axle. I'd hate to spend hard earned money on a replacement only to find it doesn't fit what I intend to install .

My noobie steering question:

found the tie rod adjusting sleeve is bent and haven't found replacement parts yet. Any thoughts on whether or not the one I have can be corrected somehow? Or is there another conversion in my rigs future?

Thanks again for reading!

 

[Trekker73]

Really guys? Over a week and not one thought or suggestion? Bummer

 

[Mark Ashford]

Must be a slow week.

I'd be looking for a late 70's d44 or later 10-bolt front axle. Should be a neer bolt-in swap but I've never had first hand experiance. Mc and prop valve upgrades will be required of course.

Width might be a little wide, but you could narrow it if it meant that much to you. Or change to a modern higher bs wheel and maybe spaceres in back to match.