Ben Butler

The biggest problem is that I am not 100% sure what it has on it. Being so far away now is the biggest challenge. I called the mechanic who’s shop it is parked in front of and told him I had parts and pland to come up there and have him fix yesterday And he said that he doesn’t have time until after the 4th. Sounds to be like he isn’t up to the challenge and has plenty of gravy work. If I knew 100% that I had the right part I would just do it myself right there in front of his shop. Looking at some YouTube videos it doesn’t look to hard. I’ve never changed an axel but I’ve done plenty of roadside makeshift repairs to get back on the road. Now my plan is to just tow it back. I signed up for the aaa premium it gives you 200 miles free and I’ll have to pay for the rest. I used to have it but didn’t update it awhile ago. we should all have that if we are going to take long trips in our vintage campers. Once I get it back home I can tear it down and not stress out on getting parts and assess if I want to rebuild with same what ever it has or upgrade the whole rear end. Thank you all for the infomation!

Dang. I had multiple people tell me it will. This has been hard to find solid answers to. So the spline is likely wrong. Is what you are calling the 7.5” what others have been referring to as the 1/2 ton and the 8” the 3/4 ton? Do you know if there is a difference in bearing size? I think it’s only a bearing because the wheel is still attached and has only a small amount of play when jacked up.

My replacement axel is same year just off a truck not the dolphin. Hoping it’s the same. I can’t tow it because it’s the rear wheel that isn’t working. Doubt that the front suspension could take it.

Lots of info on here. My dolphin is broken down 250+ miles from home. definitely blown bearing mechanic where I left it says broken axel. The wheel is still on but doesn’t roll well. It is a 5 lug single wheel. Same wheels front and back. I know upgrading the rear ended would be a good idea. But for now I just want it on the road so I can get it home. I just want to make sure that I am getting the right axel that will bolt right up. How can you tell the difference between the 1/2 ton 5 lug and the 3/4 ton 5 lug I’ve seen people talk of it on here. I have an axel pulled from a 78 truck that I plan to take up there to fix it. I just want to be sure I have all the correct parts before driving so far. It’s hard to figure out when it’s not right in front of me. It is a smaller dolphin 1978 single wheels on the back axel.