From Tiny to Mighty: Finding the Right Axle for your Build

Hey everyone, Josh here.

I just spent the day hanging out with Alex, and man, there is nothing like that feeling of progress. We were out there framing the new lean-to roof section for the shop [00:58]. I know, I know—it’s not exactly “automotive,” but you guys know how it is. If you want to build bigger, you need the space to stay organized. Alex was right there with me, bending nails and keeping the energy high. Having that extra room is going to level up everything we do at DPV. It means more projects, less clutter, and honestly, a lot more “Victory” and a little less “Pain” when we’re searching for that one 10mm socket.

Speaking of foundations, we sat down for the podcast recently to talk about something every builder obsessed with the “Victory” side of wheeling eventually faces: Axles.

If you’re sitting on the sidelines because you think you need a $10,000 set of custom portals to have fun, I’m here to tell you—and Alex will back me up with enough enthusiasm to power a small city—that you’re wrong. You just need to pick the right puzzle piece for the job.

The Small Guys with Big Hearts

We started the deep dive looking at the lightweights. Take Samurai axles [03:05]. They are tiny, but for a light rig or a custom buggy, they’re a blast. Alex is already dreaming of putting a set under a golf cart! Then you’ve got the Dana 35 [04:57]. People love to call it “polishing a turd,” but if you’re smart about it—keep the tires around 33s and maybe swap it for a Ford 8.8 when you’re ready to get serious—it’ll get you out there.

The Versatile Heroes

The Dana 44 is really where the “sweet spot” starts [06:44]. It’s the Swiss Army knife of axles. I ran the Rubicon last summer on 37s with a 44 and had zero issues [07:24]. It’s all about driving style and knowing your limits. And don’t even get me started on Toyota axles [11:02]. Those mini-truck guys beat the living tar out of them and they just keep humming. That’s the kind of resourcefulness we love at DPV—making a four-cylinder work like a beast.

The Heavy Hitters (The One-Ton Club)

When you’re ready to really “Victory” your way over car-sized boulders, you’re looking at Dana 60s and 14-bolts [26:15]. But my personal favorite? The Eaton HO72 [24:40]. It’s the forgotten one-ton. It’s got a dropout third member and tons of ground clearance. We just picked one up for $125! That’s the DPV way—finding the gear that others overlook and turning it into something epic.

Fantasy Build: The S10 Drag Slayer

We wrapped up with a Fantasy Build segment, and Alex threw me a curveball: an ’83 Chevy S10 Blazer with the “terrible” 2.8L V6 [37:01].

In typical DPV fashion, I’m not letting a weak engine stop the fun. I’m thinking we flip the script—slam it, narrow a Ford 9-inch (maybe from an industrial golf cart!), and drop in the biggest junkyard LS we can find [39:30]. Total weight reduction, a little “laughing gas,” and some fat drag slicks. Who says an axle swap is only for going up? Sometimes the victory is in going fast.

The point is this: whether you’re working with a $1,500 beater or a one-ton monster, the goal is to get your hands dirty and get out there. Don’t worry about the “perfect” build. Just start wrenching.

Wheel it, Wreck it, Wrench it, Repeat!

— Josh