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Fc 150 Wide Tread Rear Axle Width

Discussion in 'Jeep Truck and FC Tech' started by duffer, Apr 8, 2020.

  1. Apr 8, 2020
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I had to move about 20 axles from my bone pile to get to my single wide tread FC 150 axle this afternoon. My FSM, 1960 edition, clearly shows a width of 57" for these. My axle is from a 63 I think (data is stamped on tube but haven't yet looked it up) and the WMS/WMS is very close to 59". So did Kaiser extend the width another 2" on these between 1960 and 1963????
     
  2. Apr 11, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I don't think so. I have a '64 FC150 and it has a 57" rear axle. I'll guess that your wider axle is from a pickup, but I thought those were around 62" or 63".
    -Donny
     
  3. Apr 11, 2020
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I finally got my axle bone pile restacked yesterday-all 23 of them. The pickup axles are most definitely wider but more to the point, they were all Timken's or D53's. I'm pretty certain this axle is a wide tread FC 150. It looks identical to the one still under my wide tread FC 150-both the spring over wide spaced pads and the shock mounts. I disassembled it yesterday and both the ring gear and 19 spline Powr-Lok show 1958. I also measured a couple of Willys wagon axles and those too appear to be something between 58 and 59" but which the FSM shows as 57". I'm now of the opinion all the wide tread FC 150 axles are this width and I would guess use the same shafts as the wagons.

    I didn't measure the width of the pickup axles but 63" would appear to be close. Restacking all those axles was a bit of a memory test as to each's origin. Only two mysteries remaining: an early CJ-complete with tie rods/bell crank/draglink and a closed knuckle D44 with a 2 hole right side knuckle. I can't recall parting out an early J truck but that would be my best guess for the latter.
     
  4. Apr 11, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    You've got some old axles around with those Timkens! The few that I've had and worked on were from the late-'40s pickups. I threw several away when I moved to Florida, and the tide took a couple more from hurricane floods. Those Timkens are one part I don't regret getting rid of! I can say the same about a couple D53s that met the same fate.
    That D44 closed knuckle could be out of a Wagoneer from '71 or '72 before they went to open knuckles, or could be from an Fc150 wide track or Fc170. Other than the J200/300 pickups, I don't know what used a closed D44.
    -Donny
     
  5. Apr 12, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I measured the rear (Timken) axle in my son's 49 pickup at 63"
    It'll be getting an 8.8 axle out of an 80's F150 which is almost identical in width.
     
  6. Apr 14, 2020
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    The Timken came from a 48 pickup. Like a lot of other old Jeep pieces, the only applications would be a 100% restoration or a weird anchor but one would have to paint it blue for the latter (ok couldn't help myself). I still believe the D53's got the short shrift. If they actually had any aftermarket support I think they would be near perfect in a CJ. With a ring gear more than 1/2 way between a 44 and a 60 it could be built a lot stronger than any 44 and the housing isn't that much bigger. It would make a great free floater but suspect you would have an even bigger problem with adequate spindle ID and workable hubs.

    The closed knuckle 44 is too wide for the FC 150 application but a FC 170 would be close. I still think it's early J truck. I have both a 68 J3000 and a 57 FC 170 to compare it with if the snow ever melts. I didn't look to see if it still had the ratio tag which could significantly narrow things down.

    I tried to look up the Bill of Material for the FC 150 axle and got nowhere. That number is 124 80 2315 and apparently predates any of the BOM listings I found.
     
  7. Apr 16, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I agree that the D53 is a good axle, but there is zero aftermarket support, other than maybe bearings. The ones I had were way too wide for anything I play with, so the eventually went for scrap. I couldn't keep everything!
    I wasn't aware the FC 150 (wide) and FC170 were different track widths, but I've never had a 170. My BOM catalog is only for D30.
    I've never noticed your "derelicts" list. Four FC's, three Wagons? I think you have me beat. I have two 150s, '57 and '64. My '64 doesn't have the rear quarter glass on the side of the cab.
    I have four Wagons, two of which are Deliveries (one a Parkway).
    -Donny
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2020
  8. Apr 17, 2020
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
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    Wow....now I feel bad,I need to expand my collection due to peer pressure:)
     
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  9. Apr 17, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Keep in mind, mine also fit the derelicts category, though at least 3 will move themselves around with a fresh battery!
    -Donny
     
    dozerjim likes this.
  10. Apr 22, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I wonder if those were any good. It's got three pinon bearings like a Ford 9"...
     
  11. Apr 22, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    The one I had sure made some gear whine, especially when you backed off the throttle. I've seen the parts breakdown, but never opened one up.
    -Donny
     
  12. Apr 23, 2020
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I think they were relatively stout. As with a lot of things, I'm guessing it was more of a manufacturing cost that killed them rather than function.
     
  13. Apr 23, 2020
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    They are tough but zero support for them. I welded the pinion gears up in one that was in my old '47 race truck. That truck had a few hi pro engines including a high compression 455 Olds Rocket. Bent and broke lots of parts but never broke the rear end or rear axles.
     
  14. Apr 25, 2020
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    I always thought the 170 axles were wider than even the later wide track 150 axles but it was just an assumption.

    Wow. 21 axles. I'm behind with only 13.

    I always wondered why the 53 never made a name for itself. I literally couldn't give away the 2 I had here. Pulled the shafts and R&Ps out of them and scrapped the housings. Still no interest in those parts while set up at swamp meets. Not sure if I still have those parts or if they met the American fate as their housings at some point.

    My 47 truck retains it Timken axle. Hope it never needs anything. The truck should stay original so I'd hate to swap it out.

    Donny, that Parkway Delivery.....:drool;
     
  15. Apr 29, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Any Delivery can be converted to a Parkway. Just cut in 2 or 4 pieces of glass.
    -Donny
     
  16. Oct 14, 2020
    Andy Weaver

    Andy Weaver New Member

    Rancho Tehama, CA
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    How would one go about converting a’64 Dana 44 wide track out of an FC to full float?
     
  17. Oct 14, 2020
    Andy Weaver

    Andy Weaver New Member

    Rancho Tehama, CA
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    Or....alternative modern axle with a the same gear ratio?
     
  18. Oct 16, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Whats the width of your axle, wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface?
    -Donny
     
  19. Oct 18, 2020
    Andy Weaver

    Andy Weaver New Member

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    I will look at that specifically tomorrow morning and post the results. I remember reading that the wheel track width is 57”, and I was out there with a tape comparing my JK with The FC. The jk was wider, but not a LOT wider. And the 57” was close on the FC
     
  20. Oct 18, 2020
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    The wide track FC 150 is nominally 57" wide. Someplace I have that measurement. I don't have the parts manuals but it would be a good bet they use the same axle shafts as the wagons. I'm currently full floating that FC axle for my 3B. To do that, you do the same as you would for a CJ: spindles/wheel hubs/drive flanges or lockout hubs. The floating axle shafts may be the kicker but I think both Dutchman and Moser will make whatever you need. At one time you could get a full float, 19 spline kit for the wagons and that may still be a possibility. In my case, I have jpet's custom 4340 large bore spindles/Dana D30 disc brake wheel hubs, my own disc brake caliper brackets, and yet to be determined but either Dutchman or Moser custom integral flange axle shafts.

    You can probably get all the components except the shafts from Herm but that stuff is probably made by Crown. The spindles in Herm's 30 spline kits will not let you pass the full cross section of his axle shafts so you have to remove the spindle to change shafts out. That makes trail swaps a lot more difficult.

    You would likely be better off to find the original Dana parts. One of the advantages of this is you have a choice of 30 spline axle shafts and all the options for traction devices that opens. Unless you can find a wagon ff kit and it fits, this is not likely going to be an inexpensive endeavor.
     
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