Next week I'll be swapping my front and rear axles. Front with another dana 30 and rear with a 8.25 .

Are there any write ups on how to do this?

Any advice on how to make this process go smoothly?

Any help at all would be great. Thanks

 

Everything is fairly straight forward and a simple unbolt the old and bolt up the new.

The rear consists of 8 nuts on the axle u-bolts, 4 bolts for the u-joint at the yoke, 2 nut at the lower shock mount, and the rubber brake hose.

The front has quite a bit more the undo and reassemble but can be done in a reasonable amount of time.

Will you be doing the whole swap solo, or with someone else to lend a hand?

 

Sounds fairly simple.

I'll probably have 1 or 2 guys lendin me a hand with this one

 

3 people doing it you can do it in 5 hours


just have extra u bolts

 

front if i miss something dont sue me...undo the two lower control arm bolts from the axle and two upper control arms from the axle...each control arm has one bolt on the axle and one to the body. Undo the track bar from the axle...and take out the 2 bolts on each brake caliber to take it off the disc. If you have anti lock brakes you gotta have to un do that. Oh yeah the tie rod fromm each side


oh yeah the rear just remember to disco the e-brake

 

I'm hoping we do it that quick.

Should I go purchased some new ones?

 

Yes, u can get them at autozone...if you dont mind grade 5...buy the 2 inch lift block kit its 25 dollars and cheaper than buying 2 ubolts for 15 dollars..then sell the block or add it to your lift

the reason i say new u-bolts is just incase you snap them...i have a couple times when removing factory ubolts...although if yours has a lift...they should be ok...it could go either way

 

oh yeah for the front shocks just disco the lower two bolts on each side and leave the top bolt on

 

A basic process for front disassembly:

Of course raise the vehicle and support it on jackstand at the frame rails.
Support the axle with a floor jack.
Remove the front wheels
Remove the brake calipers and suspend them with wire or twine so they are not hanging by the hoses, this could damage the hoses.
Unbolt the shocks at the lower mounts, 2 nuts and bolts on each side.
Disconnect the sway bar at the axle mounts.
Remove the coil spring retainer at the bottom of the spring.
Disconnect the track bar at the axle mount on the passenger side.
Disconnect hte steering stabilizer at the axle mount, this would be a good time to replace the stabilizer if it is worn.
Disconnect the tie rods at the steering knuckle on both sides, be careful not to damage the rubber boot.
Disconnect the front u-joint at the front yoke, 4 bolts
Disconnect the lower control arms at the axle mounts.
Lower the axle a little to gain better access to the upper mounts.
Disconnect the upper control arm arms at the axle mounts.

Use the floor jack to pull the axle from under the vehicle with your friends supporting the ends so it does flop off to one side.

Reassemble in the reverse order.

If I missed anything, I'm sure someone will chime in.

 

had to out do me didnt you?

 

I was typing it all in while you were posting your responses.

But you got me on the rear axle. I forgot the e-brake cables.

 

Thanks for all you're help so far guys. I appreciate it.

Will I run into any trouble with the front springs?

 

That's why you have the axle supported with the floor jack to keep the spring from popping out. After everything is undone and you are ready to undo the control arms, lower the axle with the floor jack to release the pressure and remove the springs. Then undo the control arms.

 

 

Oh okay, gotcha. Thanks!