Help with picking donor vehicle for one-ton axle swap

Aidan;)

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I am in the process of long arm and axle swapping my Jeep. I would really appreciate it if someone could share some knowledge of what years and models to begin my search for lower geared one ton axles. I would like to have 4:10 or lower and I've seen some online that say they are factory. I would like to go to the junkyards with a plan on what specific vehicles had the option of these lower gears with one ton axles. I looked online and was getting mixed answers. I want dana 60s or a dana 60 and sterling set but open to listen to advice. Basically my question is where can I find one tons with 4:10 or lower gearing from the factory. Thank you!
 
H0-52 or H0-72. GM trucks and others up until the early 70s if I remember correctly. Very stout, but not as common as many due to age.
 
Superduty 99 to 2003 F350...250s came with Dana 50s.

They have 60s up front and a Sterling 10.5 rear. Default gearing is 3.73 but some service trucks come with 4:30s.

-Mac
 
Don't be surprised when you can't find the mythical stash of " 1 Ton " axles in the junkyard . If a true 1ton 4X4 ever makes it's way to a salvage yard the axles are the first to go.
 
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I am in the process of long arm and axle swapping my Jeep. I would really appreciate it if someone could share some knowledge of what years and models to begin my search for lower geared one ton axles. I would like to have 4:10 or lower and I've seen some online that say they are factory. I would like to go to the junkyards with a plan on what specific vehicles had the option of these lower gears with one ton axles. I looked online and was getting mixed answers. I want dana 60s or a dana 60 and sterling set but open to listen to advice. Basically my question is where can I find one tons with 4:10 or lower gearing from the factory. Thank you!

If you are doing tons, you must be planning on big tires - 37’s and up. If that’s the case, 4.10’s will not be nearly enough gear, especially if you are still running the 4.0.

If you are planning on tons with small tires, you will be dragging those axles a lot, with no need for the extra strength, nor weight.

And what are you thinking for a suspension?
 
Thank you for responses. I understand that I will, at the moment, have less ground clearance but in the future it will make since so I am starting with what axles I’d like to end up with so I can build my way to bigger tires. I plan on putting a diesel in it so I wanted super strong axles that I can feel confident in not breaking.
 
Don't be surprised when you can't find the mythical stash of " 1 Ton " axles in the junkyard . If a true 1ton 4X4 ever makes it's way to a salvage yard the axles are the first to go.

ColoJeep's message is accurate. After scouring the local pick-&-pull's I ended up getting my 2009 F250 axles from a local auto recycler (inventoried used auto parts).

Please give Nashville's question on suspension some consideration as opportunities may exist to reduce rework when going to larger tires. For example, some TJ/Superduty axle conversion kits do not accommodate coilovers.
 
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Correct but I've seen some late model 2004s with 2005+ axles...I usually dismiss 04s because of that. Probably found a unicorn and a completely overreacting.

-Mac

Never heard of that especially since the front suspension is completely different beginning in 05.
 
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ColoJeep's message is accurate. After scouring the local pick-&-pull's I ended up getting my 2009 F250 axles from a local auto recycler (inventoried used auto parts).

Please give Nashville's question on suspension some consideration as opportunities may exist to reduce rework when going to larger tires. For example, some TJ/Superduty axle conversion kits do not accommodate coilovers.

A lot of the u pull yard take the parts off before they go into the yard and have made a deal with somebody to buy them all. I found this years ago when looking for a smog legal air cleaner. There were none in the yards I went to an auto parts specialty store and they had them all in stock cleaned painted and over priced.
 
Thank you for responses. I understand that I will, at the moment, have less ground clearance but in the future it will make since so I am starting with what axles I’d like to end up with so I can build my way to bigger tires. I plan on putting a diesel in it so I wanted super strong axles that I can feel confident in not breaking.

Yeah, but what’s your final tire size and wheelbase? As mentioned, 4.10 gears will suck with a tire size that requires one ton axles. Bigger is not necessarily better. The right size is better in every way.
 
I am running a Clayton off-road 5.5” long arm kit and have a 4:10 front axle and have found a rear 14 bolt axle with 4:10 gears. I am just thinking about buying it, I’m not for sure yet, still deciding. I also have found a couple ford 8.8 axles that are giving me options. But anyways, I right now will be running 35s and then later going to bigger tires possibly 37s. As for wheelbase, just right now it will not be changing from stock but in the future I’d like to get around the 109” 110” range. How does this sound to you guys?
 
you can usually get a set of pretty good one ton axles from someone who is changing a rig that are going to be a lot easier to make work- I ran across a complete set with everything for $5500 the other day that I passed on

If you can shop around your model 2013 or newer you’ll get an electronic locker in the rear

Personally I like the JK 44 option too