Build Sheet
Because the Reid knuckles have no caliper mount provision, using Dodge brake components to get a 5x5.5 bolt pattern wasn't an option. Dodge calipers mount on cast-in ears on the Dodge knuckles. Instead, we used the parts listed to the right. Had we been willing to swap to 6x5.5 or 8x6.5 bolt pattern, we could have nabbed some backing plates, spindles, hubs, rotors, and stub shafts off nearly any solid axle GM in the wrecking yard- but used small-bearing spindles and related components for the 5x5.5 swap are becoming a bit scarce. Here are the parts we used and prices as of the time this was written.
Since we wanted to run 5x5.5...
Since we wanted to run 5x5.5 bolt pattern Ford hubs with the six-bolt knuckles, we needed to do a bit of parts swapping. We ordered some genuine Spicer small-bearing spindles from Superior Axle & Gear for a '74-'76 Jeep FSJ/'73-'76 Chevy 1/2- or 3/4-ton truck to make it happen, along with a pair of Superior's Evolution Series stub shafts. We used the Chevy-spec 9.94-inch long stubs and topped 'em off with a pair of genuine Spicer 5-760X U-joints.
The Currie High Pinion third...
The Currie High Pinion third member is built from strong nodular iron and features billet spanners, chromoly bearing caps, and improved oil passages. We had Currie load it with 4.86 gears to match the rear Currie 9-inch we've been running in JR for years. We also added our favorite limited slip to the front, the Eaton Detroit Truetrac. It's been our experience that the Truetrac offers nearly the grip of a locker off-road with little to none of the handling drawbacks on- or off-road.
We logged onto RockAuto.com...
We logged onto RockAuto.com for most of the stock replacement parts we needed to complete our at-home-assembled axle, including loaded calipers, Ford hub/rotor assembly, bearings, and even spindle nuts. Even factoring in the cost of shipping, the prices at RockAuto were below that of our local auto parts stores and the stuff arrived promptly and without mistakes.
We installed the Torrington...
We installed the Torrington bearings into the spindles and bolted on the Parts Mike backing plates. Dig the nice anodized finish which, along with the orange powdercoat on the Reid knuckles, should look killer poking out from below our XJ and keep rust at bay. With the spindles and backing plated bolted on, we greased the bearings and installed the inner grease seals from an '80 F-150. We then installed the hub/rotor assembly onto the spindle.
We wrapped things up by bolting...
We wrapped things up by bolting the Chevy calipers onto the Parts Mike backing plates and capped it all off with a pair of Warn Premium manual hubs that we had hanging around for a few years. The small-bearing Spicer 706528X spindle allows the right offset of the Ford hub/rotor assembly for use with the Chevy backing plates and calipers. We'll be running our current Currie Enterprises Currectlync steering setup on our XJ in the foreseeable future, so we'll install some 1/2-inch fine-thread bolts into the Reid knuckles to keep the high-steer mounting threads clean in case we ever decide to add high-steer.
We started by installing the...
We started by installing the Reid knuckles to the Currie-installed ball joints. Torque the upper ball joint nut to 75lb-ft and the lower to 80lb-ft. We then pounded on the stub shaft slingers and assembled the stub and inner shafts using the Spicer 760X U-joints before sliding 'em home.
| Source |
Part No. |
Description |
Price |
| Car Quest |
PN 4250 |
Ford inner grease seal |
$6.88/ea ($13.76) |
|
PN B7000 |
7/16-inch banjo bolt |
$4.71/ea ($9.42) |
| Currie Enterprises |
PN 3M-CHP486R31- TTCXI |
CHP centersection, 4.86 reverse-rotation gears, 31-spline Truetrac diff, 1310 flange |
$1,515.70 |
|
PN CE-0118 |
Assembly labor |
$99.95 |
|
PN CE-7110A |
TJ/XJ brackets w/ mounting |
$499 |
|
PN CE-0130N |
Inner axle shafts |
$179.95 |
|
PN CE-4303D |
Currie F9 fabricated housing with TJ/XJ/YJ inner C |
$899.95 |
| Parts Mike |
PN CB66075-R |
Heavy-duty Dana 44 backing plates |
$74.95/ea ($149.90) |
| Reid Racing |
PN D30001JL |
Dana 30/Dana 44 conversion knuckle, left |
$259 |
|
PN D30001JR |
Dana 30/Dana 44 conversion knuckle, right |
$259 |
|
D44101K |
Dana 44 spindle stud kit |
$16.00/ea ($32.00) |
| RockAuto |
PN 618-040 |
Axle spindle nut retainer |
$1.85/ea ($3.70) |
|
PN 615-120 |
Axle spindle nut inner |
$6.72/ea ($13.64) |
|
PN 615-121 |
Axle spindle nut outer |
$5.52/ea ($11.04) |
|
PN LM501349 |
Outer hub bearing |
$8.46/ea ($16.92) |
|
PN LM603049 |
Inner hub bearing |
$8.70/ea ($17.40) |
|
PN 66297R |
Ford hub/rotor assembly with races and studs, assembled |
$106.79/ea ($213.58) |
|
PN RC4072 |
Loaded caliper (plus core) |
$65.79 |
|
PN RC4071 |
Loaded caliper (plus core) |
$65.79 |
| Six States Distributors |
PN 36364 |
Axle stub shaft grease slingers |
$5.40/pair |
|
PN 706527X |
Spicer spindle bearing and seal kit |
$12.82/pair |
| Superior Axle & Gear |
PN 706528X |
Spicer '74-'76 Jeep/'73-'76 Chevy small-bearing spindle |
$119.00/ea ($238.00) |
|
PN PA6122 |
Superior 9.94-inch Evolution Series stub shaft |
$196.39/ea ($392.78) |
|
PN 5-760-X |
Spicer U-joint |
$24.50/ea ($49.00) |
| Warn |
PN WAR 20990 |
Premium manual locking hubs |
$110.99 |
| Total |
|
|
$5134.48 |