whats difference in these base on the looks top loader i assume is where your driveshaft yoke is on top and front loader is ??? and rock well is ??? i assume rockwell is generic name for army axle then it comes to what type of rockwell then thats where top loader and front loader comes in then what w the gmc axle? i seen some people talking about gmc axle similar to rockwell axle... i m new at those axle hoping to bring a rig home soon
A frontloader is also called a face loader- think of a ford 9" or a toyota axle.
gmc are named for the military truck they came out of and are a face loader and are a 2 1/2 ton axle.
why a rockwell is called a rockwell im not 100% sure on. my 5tons have tags that say tikem-detriot on them. only thing i can think of is rockwell is the modern/current builder of these axles
top loaders have more parts but (cant be proven to be stonger than gmc or vice versa) but gmc axles have bigger axle shafts, but reverse rotation front or mods can change that, bad pinion angles or more mods reqired for gmc. on the cheap id go with gmcs but lots of tec and building is required, sled pullers usualy prefer gmc's becouse of strength.rated at 3 tons
rockwells not as many mods needed still very good axle, can buy all aftermarket parts, always have awsome drive shaft angles, but dont think any of the axles are gunna be cheap to install planning and budget is required, average project is (what iv read) 1 to 2 years and will cost alot more than any dana 60 install.
both have same lug pattern, lots of strength, but most prefer rocks becouse parts are very easy to get, with drive shaft angles being a plus tell me if i forgot any thing!
the gmc axles were made by eaton and hard to find parts for i ordered 6 seals for mine and it took 2 months for the guy at boyce equipment to locate them 1 from one spot 2 here 2 ther i havent found anything as far as aftermarket parts like a locker or stuff like that bu tweldin rod is cheap the pinion on my front is on pass side and a high pinion ive seen them flipped over to the other side but dont know what all is involved with duin that also putting a pinion brake on them is alot more work than a rockwell are you lookin to buy a deuce truck or a wheeler with these axles under it ???
Unless you get a can't refuse price on GMC axles I'd say buy toploaders you'll be happier in the long run. I have several sets of 2.5 & 5 ton toploaders for sale.
And nearly every part ya might need to fix them.