robwaz98xj

im getting ready to build a dana 50 and sterling 10.5 from a f250 super duty. ive been looking at all the different options and opinions before i start the build. im looking at most likely max tire size of 39.5. im looking to get 5.38 gears and lockers for the dana 50 and sterling 10.5 is this overkill?? and what is a cheaper alternative but same strength?

Gee oh Dee

Huntingman is using a Sterling 10.5 for his rear and going with 40s.

Jeepjunky

prbly a ford 9", you can truss them more, get 40 spline shafts if you want, and havin the third member come out complete is pretty nice

Daltonamorph

Wouldnt run the front TTB 50. Look for a d60 front if youre wanting to run that tire size. Theres a good build in Pirate where the guy uses the TTB D50, but its a pain to make it all work right. The 10.5 will be fine for 39.5s, theyre pretty tough axles.

EDIT: Heres the build. Looks pretty cramped. It came out really nice, and looks like itd work good for high speed stuff, but wouldnt work as well for crawling. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=829346

Gee oh Dee

^^Thats not a Cherokee.

Jeepjunky

he also made his own chassis, which makes it a lot easier

ct67_72

he diddnt say ttb 50.
is that a drivers drop? Im curious on doing the same combo actually.
For me I prefer a 5.38 with a 37" tire. If you can go a little deeper I would, unless you have a doubler or low kit int he t-case. If not, they should work fine, probably pretty close to stock on a 39" tire. but with something that big, a little more would be a big help. thats a lot of weight to turn.
that is a good size axle for that size tire also. You could do a 60 and a 60. That would be good also. a little better out from, but I little smaller out back. But plenty big.
also check out justdifferentials.com for your gearing parts.

Daltonamorph

Exactly, getting it all to work within the cherokee uniframe would be a PITA. He also spends a few grand beefing the D50 up with some ford spindles, hubs, and flanges, as well as a crap load of fabbing and $$$ to get it to work the way he wanted.

If its not the TTB, then Im sorry for cluttering this thread lol. Regular D50s are pretty close to the strength of a D60, and alot of the parts can be interchanged.

robwaz98xj

i believe the dana 50 and dana 60 front are the same housing just the spline are different dana 50 has 30 spline throughout and dana 60 has 35 spline ins but 30 spline at hubs is what ive been told. im going to use a driver side drop and using a 231 j tcase w/ a sye. weight was another concern i had. i believe im mostly likely going to by a ram assist steering brfore i bust the frame.

robwaz98xj

pita??

b. lee

Pain In The ****

The Dana 50 in my opinion is a decent axle for a lightweight rig, but has some drawbacks. First, it's the same size and weight as the Dana 60, but somewhat weaker. It has a smaller ring gear diameter, some smaller bearings, etc. If you are packing in the extra weight, most would suggest getting a 60, as they are about the same price in most JY's.

That being said, if you already have them, run 'em. I don't think you'll find anything cheaper with the same strength. If you haven't bought the front yet, maybe look for a 60 for the added strength.

cdawall

If he is getting the combo for a decent price they are not bad. Nothin wrong with a SFA D50. Plenty strong for a set fo 38-40" tires and a light foot. the 9" ring gear isn't exactly weak. The outer hubs are the same as a D60 and the inner shafts are still a beefy 30 spline unit. I found a D60, but there is nothing wrong with rocking a D50

dogger15

really?!

cdawall

For some more axle comparisons the link in my sig has quite a few axles listed including the ones your asking about. *cough should be a sticky*