Landy_Andy
Well-known member
Thought I’d start a thread here for my slow progress rear 609 axle build.
Some might be wondering what a 609 axle is, well, it’s a hybrid axle that uses a Ford 9” 3rd member and Dana 60 outer components. You get the benefit of the dropout 3rd with almost Dana 60 strength but without the weight.
My axle is based on a home fabricated housing that’s from ‘diyoffroad.com’, it’s sold as .dxf files that you have laser or water jet cut & bent up, final welding in done in your own shop. I went this route as purchasing an off the shelf housing (Ruffstuff or Trailgear) was going to be about $1500cdn to my door... ouch !
I’m estimating I’ll be able to fabricate my own for around $800cdn, on top of that there will be some cost for the axle tube assembly jig but as I’m planning on building a matching front axle next, that cost will be shared.
One other benefit of this axle is that I can redrill the Dana 60 axle hubs that are 8 on 6.5” PCD to the Rover 5 on 6.5” PCD and use my existing bead lock wheels.
This is where we’ll start....
Some might be wondering what a 609 axle is, well, it’s a hybrid axle that uses a Ford 9” 3rd member and Dana 60 outer components. You get the benefit of the dropout 3rd with almost Dana 60 strength but without the weight.
My axle is based on a home fabricated housing that’s from ‘diyoffroad.com’, it’s sold as .dxf files that you have laser or water jet cut & bent up, final welding in done in your own shop. I went this route as purchasing an off the shelf housing (Ruffstuff or Trailgear) was going to be about $1500cdn to my door... ouch !
I’m estimating I’ll be able to fabricate my own for around $800cdn, on top of that there will be some cost for the axle tube assembly jig but as I’m planning on building a matching front axle next, that cost will be shared.
One other benefit of this axle is that I can redrill the Dana 60 axle hubs that are 8 on 6.5” PCD to the Rover 5 on 6.5” PCD and use my existing bead lock wheels.
This is where we’ll start....