Stage1 frontaxle on a SWB?

[henk]

Would it be a good idea to put a stage1 frontaxle on an 88?
Pro’s and contra’s?

[Snagger]

I can’t see much of an issue other than diff ratio (I think Stage 1s used 3.54 diffs, but not certain) and it may have a bit of a master/slave mismatch on the brakes, but you could swap the original 88” brakes to the Stage 1 axle.

[Bowie69]

Con is parts availability, as I understand it there are bits inside the stage 1 axle that are more expensive/impossible or very hard to get. 

 

[FridgeFreezer]

It will be 3.54:1 ratio so you'd have to swap the diff out or swap the rear diff for a coiler one otherwise the front axle will be trying to drive away from the back axle.

[Jon White]

Con is parts availability and the stock stage1 front half shafts are only 10 spline so really not that strong. You’re better off upgrading the internals of a standard front axle instead - design and development make a lot of upgrade parts, which are basically improvements on stage1 parts.

IMHO if you arent breaking stuff now, why change? Ain’t broke dont fix it type philosophy…..

[Arjan]

Unless there is something wrong with your present axle I'd leave the Stage One axle dry & safe.

Diff ratio, as stated already, is different and certain parts are getting difficult to find.

But, it is your vehicle, your axles so have fun.

[Snagger]

8 hours ago, Arjan said:

Unless there is something wrong with your present axle I'd leave the Stage One axle dry & safe.

Diff ratio, as stated already, is different and certain parts are getting difficult to find.

But, it is your vehicle, your axles so have fun.

Stage 1 axles are probably worth enough that you could update the diff in the original axle for the same price, resulting in something more capable and a Stage 1 owner being able to get what they need too.  Front shafts don’t fail as often as rear, but if worried, you could look at updating them too, or just fit FWH (🤮) so you can drive in 2nd until a blown shaft can be replaced. Design and Development make CV jointed shafts for Series vehicles.  I’m sure they’re expensive, but their craftmanship looks superb.

[Ed Poore]

On 9/3/2024 at 9:42 PM, Snagger said:

I can’t see much of an issue other than diff ratio (I think Stage 1s used 3.54 diffs, but not certain) and it may have a bit of a master/slave mismatch on the brakes, but you could swap the original 88” brakes to the Stage 1 axle.

They do - although admittedly my experience is limited to the Sandringham which is mostly a Stage 1 but it's difficult to know exactly what's been changed. I had a stuck drum cylinder on the 6x6 and the garage that was MOTing it the following day were sure they'd be able to get a replacement as there was only one size available. Turns out it was different to the normal piston - luckily the garage on realising their mistake was able to dismantle the piston and free it up.

@Gazzar is one of the most knowledgeable people I know on Series parts perhaps he can advise.

[Jon White]

Stage1 used the same front brakes as a 6cyl series so are comparatively uncommon. The rears are all the same on all 109s.

Your garage probably ordered 4cyl 109 front cylinders instead

Edited September 17, 2024 by Jon White

[Gazzar]

As well as above: The casing is tilted on these, relative to the axle mounts/swivel chalice mounting flange, such that the input pinion flange is higher than on a standard axle. So to fit to a series you'd want to consider a DC propshaft. 

 

I'd sell and use the cash to get custom CV half shafts and a pegged diff. Unless you're putting a quazillion torques through it, a pegged 10 spline diff will give no trouble.