F550 axles under a NPR

[Sikkryder]

Yeah picked that truck up for $5000. Im sure that 4x4 and lifting it will cost more than the aquisition price, but that is one of the things that I love. By the time i have invested 10k-20k it will look very similar to a Single axle LMTV(US Army-Stewart Stevenson)but quad cab. So it is known I dont need any help with the fabrication, or installing of new componets just need what Transmission/transfer case, Axles will work.
There is a guy here local, He has a set(Font & Rear) 5ton top load Rockwell axles off an old Military truck, was curious if this is a good fit. Im not sure if many on this fourn have gone this route, and subsequintly not to much info on it. Thanks for your time.

 

[dsw4x4]

Sikkryder,
Good luck with your build hopefully you will do a build thread on it. I have been wanting to do basically the same thing with a 4door fuso time and money have not permitted yet. As far as top loaders go if you are going to be doing a lot hwy driving the whirl of straight cut gears and with a 6:14 gear ratio (I think) you better plan on running some hugh meats on it. They would not be my first choice for anything but a serious wheeling rig that would see way more miles on the trail than the road.
Derek

 

[shortbus4x4]

I would probably stay away from the Rockwell 5 ton toploaders for something that is street driven on a regular basis. The center section takes up alot of room so you need a pretty good lift for engine/diff clearance and they are really low geared. You could probably find a duece and a half air shift transfercase and use it, its a divorce mount. I think a 205 would be a little lite for your application. Start hitting up some medium duty truck wrecking yards and looking for some 4x4 trucks in them. You can get an axle or axles out of one. Before you go to the wrecking yard take some measurements on your frontend and see what kind of brake system you have. You should also know your rearend ratio so you can look for a matching frontend. That truck will look cool with 4x4 under it. Looking forward to seeing it done.

 

[DzlToy]

that is the only other crew cab COE that I remember for the US, so your options are pretty limited there from an after market or support standpoint, especially on an older model like that... Matt and I were just talking about this recently and are both still interested in the build, but neither has started construction yet..

I would definitely stray away from top loader axles of any kind for that thing unless you are going to make a Dakar rally truck out of it with 46" tires.

You should be fine with one ton running gear in the front ALA you dont go too heavy on the build. If that is not sufficient you could go to a super 60 or super 70 axle or have a front made from an 80 or a 14 bolt.

Other options are C103 or F106 fronts but those are pretty beefy axles. There is a huge amount of info on this thread:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=891594

the title is Rockwell hybrid steering axles but everything from Dana 70 to 14 bolts to F106 and monster truck axle tech is covered in there, so should give you plenty of ideas.