Re: Rear axle troubles

[Tom Mandera <tsm1@domain.elided>]

On Mon, 10 Nov 1997, Denni Feagins wrote:

> Does anyone have advice on how to remove the (now destructed) carrier out of
> the axle?  Does anyone have a favorite new rear differential or locker
> manufacturer?
> Are the rear axles full floaters?  Is this going to be hard? (I think I
> already know this answer...)

Denni,

OUCH!  I've never had the "pleasure" of getting into my differentials 
(though a few Lockrites will be going in this winter).  I can think of a 
couple options for you though.

1) Buy a Detroit Locker (comes complete with the new carrier) and have it 
installed - $500 for the locker, plan on $100 or more for labor to have 
it put in (need special tools, lots of patience, etc.

2) Since you have a '73, you have a Dana 30 front, Dana 44 rear.  The 
Dana 30 front end has drum brakes.

You could look around and see what you can find for a "parts Scout" rust 
bucket, that can usually be had in the well sub-$1000 range.. get a '75 
or better, and you'll have the D44/D44 combination.  Along with the power 
brakes and master cylinder (prop valve, etc) that mate with the Disc 
brakes (read: better stopping) up front with the new '44.

Swap BOTH axles out, to keep the proper gear ratios front/rear, and 
you'll then have a parts Scout, and a good Dana 30 front end to try to 
sell (or take the hubs off for spares).

-Tom Mandera, Helena MT
http://www.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout
'72 and '77 Scout II ('72 will soon have '76 Dana 44 front, ps, pb, etc. 
swapped in)