Upgrading my choptop to CADILLAC axles.

[FSJeeper]

No kidding.

Cadillac light Armored Personel Carriers are hitting the surplus market. Since I am using the CUCV axles in my other M715 project now, I got a set of cadillac axles to replace them.

These are a HD version of the Dana 70 rear/Dana 60 front with 4.88's and detroits.

Never thought I would run caddy axles in a FSJ.

Here is what the military cadillac looks like:

http://www.armyrecognition.com/Amerique_du_nord/Etats_Unis/vehicules_a_roues/Cadillac_Gage_Commando_ranger/Commando_ranger_USA_03.jpg

[Hump]

Where would you get them from, and what kind of price are we talking? I couldn't really tell, but it appears that the front has open knuckles?

[FSJeeper]

You have to keep yours eyes on the surplus market to find them. This is the first one I have seen. Most of the Caddy APC's went overseas as part of US arms deals to 3rd world countries. They are most common in Indonesia.

Depending on condition, they are going for $2000 up and there are private collectors selling them in the $25,000 range that are fully functional except for either the 20mm canon or twin 50's that either have to be demilled or removed.

[FSJeeper]

And yes, the front Dana 60 is open knuckle. They made these in the early to mid 80's.

[Mikel2]

This is the one cadillac I would love to have :D :D :D

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/images/usa/m24_06.jpg

[FSJeeper]

aahhhhh yes

I have often thought that would be perfect for Houston traffic!

[Lindel]

If you upgrade, what are you going to do with your current axles?

[FSJeeper]

The 1.25 ton D60/14 bolt CUCV axles I have in the choptop are going into another J-10 SWB M715 project.

[Lindel]

Ok, never hurts to ask :D

[FSJeeper]

I may be getting a few more CUCV's soon if you need some D60/14 bolt axles.

[HeepofaJeep]

FSJeeper, I thought you were going to use the cucv axles on your truck. Are these better in some way, or do you just have easier access to them?

By the way, I have been really curious how you are getting access to these things. When you get ahold of things like these axles, do you purchase the whole truck or just the axles? I am only curious.

[FSJeeper]

I have gone from just the Choptop/M715 project, to 2 more.

The CUCV axles with 4.56 gears are better suited for the new 120" WB Jcab M715 project exspecially with the rear discs and the almost $2000 in upgrades to the front Dana 60. I am also swapping the built turbo diesel and OD setup into the JcabM715 but putting the doubler in the choptop behind a turbo 400. The SWB M715 truck will be used as a workhorse, tow mule.

The other project I am working on is a cherry 76
WT which I am putting a Dana 60 with powerlock and HD Dana 44 front in at this time.

The Cadillac axles are better suited for the choptop cause the gas engine now going in it was dynoed at 380HP. The 4.88 gears will be perfect for the stroker engine. The rear HD Dana 70 has much thicker axle tubes and a Dana 80 size pinion and pinion bearing and massive brakes. The front Dana 60 has 35 spline stub shafts with drive plates, which will be perfect cause the choptop is now going to be an offroad only toy. The front bolts in just like the Chevy CUCV Dana 60 so there is no hassle at all installing it. The Caddy axles have less than 10,000 and I believe the hubs are a stronger design but have not verified that yet. Bottom line, I don't have to do a thing to these axles to upgrade them. Besides all that, there may be bragging rights associated with your axles coming out of a military armored personel carrier. I did not have to buy the whole aromored personel carrier, it was demilled probably cause of its special use which was not disclosed and the 20mm canon.

There are several military surplus websites you can buy stuff from, but the prices have gone crazy. The internet ruined the cheap surplus deals. In the past, I bought US border patrol CUCV's for the minimum bid, $25. The going price is $1500 up and what I normally pay cause of the internet but sometimes some fall through the cracks. There are several FSJ club members who have seen the govt. reciepts on these who can vouch for me on the $25 CUCV's but I will admit that these were bought several years ago before the Dana 60 front axles got so popular.

I have been messing with military surplus vehicles for years starting with M715's and have developed a pretty nice network. This is how I get the stuff I get now, not off the rip-off internet suplus sites. I once gave some of my surplus secrets to one of our club members who has become a competitor now and regulary kicks my butt in auctions, so I am not telling anything else.

[sandmanb]

what was the rest of the driveline in that personel carier? engine,trans and transfercase?

[Lindel]

If you do get some more axle sets, let me know, I'm on the look out for my project truck.

[Rogue]

The internet ruined the cheap surplus deals.around these here parts what we do is get an inside guy ( read military mechanic ) to swap out axles and put a good heavy duty 60 front into a clapped out loser vehicle that nobody wants ( read slant6 Dodge pickup ) and cover up the hubs with some beat up hubcaps, show up for auction, and bam there you go, shhhh don't tell though, I've NEVER done it this is just hearsay

[rockjeep44]

Quick question. How are axles classified as 1 ton, 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 1/2 ton etc etc. What would my Dana 60s be classified as. The rear is 35 spline as well as the front, inners and outers.
-Andrew

[Stuka]

D60's in the front came in 1-1.25 ton vehicles. A few 3/4 ton ford witht he plow option got them in the late 70's. The D60 as a rear axle is rated as a 3/4-1 ton axle. Although now-a-days it seams like 3/4 tons are getting much stronger axles then in the past. The standard rear axle old the newer dodges (except 2003) used a D70 rear. The 1 ton used a D80 if I recall correctly. Ford uses the sterling 10.2" in their 3/4 and 1 ton F-Series trucks. The F-550 gets a D130 rear axle (huge freakin axle). The F150 1/2 ton gets a sterling 9.2" (i think its 9.2") rear axle.

But then newer trucks are comming with a lot more power then older trucks in most cases. Our 77 F150 came with a 460/C6 from the factory as the trailor special trim, and it has a 9" rear. And with a 145k miles of hauling and towing its still holding up good. And the 460 has been bored, has a RV cam, and a 750cfm holley.

It seams I have sorta digressed from the original point....but ohwell... smile.gif

[BIG BAD JON]

I could see myself cruizin around in that Caddy! :D ;) tongue.gif

[ColoCherokees]

Those APCs are Caddys? I had heard that they were built off of a Dodge truck platform. Crazy.

[BMB]

I thought they were built by Cadillac Guage (sp?) on a Dodge chassis. Still I'll hold out for a V150 :D .

BMB

[Heimeken]

That's a caddy?... Looks like an FSJ to me!