Thick is probably cheaper based on popularity / more sales, these save having to buy a new carrier.
CK5
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1978 K5 Tribute Restomod (402BBC EFI, 205, 3/4 Ton)
- Thread starter vdamirth
- Start date
1986 K5 to 1978 K5 Tribute
Got it down to bare bones minus the spring hangers. I was pretty pleased until I realized those hangers account for 48 rivets… I think at this point I’ve cut 44
If anyone near NC has an interest in a 14 bolt full float with what I assume is 3.73 gears, let me know. I’m not reusing the wheels so it could be a set for someone too.
The end (of cutting rivets) is in sight.
Got a few hours in and probably need about 2 more.
80 out of 92
Got a few hours in and probably need about 2 more.
80 out of 92
Also, to note: the Chief air hammer I got from Harbor Freight since it seemed decent and was on sale. After 44 rivets the spring retainer broke. I went to HF and they replaced it no questions asked. They had the retainer spring on clearance for $0.97 so I bought another one…
Tractor Supply is in the same parking lot basically so I went and bought an Ingersoll Rand that was on sale and had the quick change chuck with three bits.
My technique has improved but I definitely noticed an improvement with the IR. Just thought I’d share with anyone else.
Also, ear muffs and gloves and safety glasses are a must.
Tractor Supply is in the same parking lot basically so I went and bought an Ingersoll Rand that was on sale and had the quick change chuck with three bits.
My technique has improved but I definitely noticed an improvement with the IR. Just thought I’d share with anyone else.
Also, ear muffs and gloves and safety glasses are a must.
1. You need to change the wiper transmissions in the cowl to the 73-80 style. I have several available in good shape if you need them. the hole pattern is 2 bolts instead of 3 like 81+, but you can install one bolt and redrill for the second.
2. The metal support of the dash is identical for all squarebodies other than changes to the radio area. You can install any squarebody dashpad and bezel to the steel dash, but you need to match the dashpad and bezel year range for 73-80 or 81-91.
@kennyw I’ll have to see what I have left of the original wiper setup. I recall getting the wiper arm removal tool and popping those off but I can’t remember if I pulled anything out of the cowl area. I must have because there’s nothing left in the body. I may take you up on the wiper transmission. I had done some research to relocate the wiper motor so the firewall would be cleaner, but I may not do that.
Thank you for confirming that about the dash. I will get a matching dash and bezel for a 78 era.
@ryoken its been a hot minute but finally gonna get this coated in the next couple weeks. I ended up pulling everything but a few crossmembers (so it would stay together) and the body mounts. Gonna blast it so it’ll be bare metal and will move forward with epoxy primer. Anything else I should keep in mind?
All done with rivets!
Got the last 12 popped off pretty quickly today and loaded the chassis on the trailer to take to the dustless blaster. I definitely figured out the process but it’s still something I don’t really want to do often.
Also, got the 11.5 AAM to the shop and pulled the diff cover to check the gears.
They’re in good shape, so I think I’m good with them. I counted the gear teeth numerous times and I think I’m coming up with 4.11 gears which is ideal. 37 teeth for the ring gear and 9 for the pinion. It’s got a G80 locker, and I can live with that.
think if I could choose without any regard for the budget, I’d like an electronic selectable locker. But I may just leave the G80. Thoughts??
Got the last 12 popped off pretty quickly today and loaded the chassis on the trailer to take to the dustless blaster. I definitely figured out the process but it’s still something I don’t really want to do often.
Also, got the 11.5 AAM to the shop and pulled the diff cover to check the gears.
They’re in good shape, so I think I’m good with them. I counted the gear teeth numerous times and I think I’m coming up with 4.11 gears which is ideal. 37 teeth for the ring gear and 9 for the pinion. It’s got a G80 locker, and I can live with that.
think if I could choose without any regard for the budget, I’d like an electronic selectable locker. But I may just leave the G80. Thoughts??
Haven’t had any issues with my g80 in my 2005 14 bolt. If you can pull it apart and clean it and put it back together. When I did I made the spring a little tighter and was told it looked like a Detroit.
Keep it it's fine
@Babaganoosh and @imiceman44 thanks for the response.
So, something is bothering me but I recall when I bought this axle (11.5” AAM), the guy said it had 4.56 gears.
Today when I opened it up, I was in a hurry because I had to get to a meeting, but I counted 37 on the ring and maybe 8 on the pinion which is 4.63.. I assumed I miscounted the pinion gear because I had never really heard of a 4.63, and 37/9=4.11 is common.
Well, I googled, and there are 4.63 gears. Since I’m changing the front Dana44 gears, I need to go with 4.63 up front I guess…
4L80e + np205 + 33” tire
4.11 RPM @ 70 - 2197
4.63 RPM @ 70 - 2475
It’s a little deeper than I was thinking, but take off and towing will be better.
I will confirm tomorrow
So, something is bothering me but I recall when I bought this axle (11.5” AAM), the guy said it had 4.56 gears.
Today when I opened it up, I was in a hurry because I had to get to a meeting, but I counted 37 on the ring and maybe 8 on the pinion which is 4.63.. I assumed I miscounted the pinion gear because I had never really heard of a 4.63, and 37/9=4.11 is common.
Well, I googled, and there are 4.63 gears. Since I’m changing the front Dana44 gears, I need to go with 4.63 up front I guess…
4L80e + np205 + 33” tire
4.11 RPM @ 70 - 2197
4.63 RPM @ 70 - 2475
It’s a little deeper than I was thinking, but take off and towing will be better.
I will confirm tomorrow
Marking on ring gear
Probably 4.56
There's more markings, keep turning.
Should have a date and tooth count
@Babaganoosh and @imiceman44 so I opened the diff again today and my buddy was there and had him count the teeth in the gears. We both got 37 on the ring gear and 8 on the pinion gear. There were no other markings on the side of the ring gear other than the one I posted before.
It’s baffling, but I really don’t want to buy 4.11 or 4.56 gears for both axles. The AAM gears are expensive. Nitro Gear makes a Dana44 4.63 but everything shows it’s for Jeep. I would imagine I’d have to replace the carrier because I haven’t found thick 4.63 gears.
It’s a weird bummer. I may search for a 10.5” AAM or I may just use the 14BFF. Problem is, we already cut the spring perches and shock mounts off the 11.5”
I did start stripping down the Dana44 front and the spindles are stuck right. Put some PB Blaster on and hopefully can use a puller to separate tomorrow.
It’s baffling, but I really don’t want to buy 4.11 or 4.56 gears for both axles. The AAM gears are expensive. Nitro Gear makes a Dana44 4.63 but everything shows it’s for Jeep. I would imagine I’d have to replace the carrier because I haven’t found thick 4.63 gears.
It’s a weird bummer. I may search for a 10.5” AAM or I may just use the 14BFF. Problem is, we already cut the spring perches and shock mounts off the 11.5”
I did start stripping down the Dana44 front and the spindles are stuck right. Put some PB Blaster on and hopefully can use a puller to separate tomorrow.
Too bad you don't want some bigs and littles.
Some 37" tires in the back and 33" in the front with 4.10 gears, would look good.
@imiceman44 oh man, that’s hilarious. Goin for that off-road dragster look.
Found this 10.5” close by. Not a bad price and 4.10 gears. I had a guy that worked for me pick up the last one. I would definitely pull the cover and check this one. Lessons learned
Found this 10.5” close by. Not a bad price and 4.10 gears. I had a guy that worked for me pick up the last one. I would definitely pull the cover and check this one. Lessons learned
@rksjd8420 you’ve answered a lot of questions about AAM axles. What are your thoughts?
Regear the 11.5” or get a 10.5” that has the desired gear ratio?
Price is about the same between the two. I’m just gonna have to figure out what to do with the 11.5” if I go to 10.5”
Regear the 11.5” or get a 10.5” that has the desired gear ratio?
Price is about the same between the two. I’m just gonna have to figure out what to do with the 11.5” if I go to 10.5”
vdamirth quote:
“Well, I googled, and there are 4.63 gears. Since I’m changing the front Dana44 gears, I need to go with 4.63 up front I guess…”
Just want to ask this question to hopefully keep you from gett’n wrong make of ring & pinion gears on your front axle.
You said in the quote up above that you have a Dana 44 model front axle but in your pictures in the last two pages of this thread it is a 10-bolt housing setup ( both the D44 & 10-bolt housings use ten quantity bolts for the front covers and both are 8-1/2” diameter ring gears to add to the confusion ).
If you are using a different front axle than what you had pictured please forgive my bringing this up - just try’n to help before you start ordering parts and run into needless delays.
The housing in these two pics of yours is a 10-bolt for certain and not a Dana model 44.
“Well, I googled, and there are 4.63 gears. Since I’m changing the front Dana44 gears, I need to go with 4.63 up front I guess…”
Just want to ask this question to hopefully keep you from gett’n wrong make of ring & pinion gears on your front axle.
You said in the quote up above that you have a Dana 44 model front axle but in your pictures in the last two pages of this thread it is a 10-bolt housing setup ( both the D44 & 10-bolt housings use ten quantity bolts for the front covers and both are 8-1/2” diameter ring gears to add to the confusion ).
If you are using a different front axle than what you had pictured please forgive my bringing this up - just try’n to help before you start ordering parts and run into needless delays.
The housing in these two pics of yours is a 10-bolt for certain and not a Dana model 44.
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