3/4 ton D44 with axle housing crack; Would you buy or part out?

[la_blazer82]

I located a 3/4 ton D44 with 4.56 gears to swap in the front to match the 14bff. Only problem is owner says He "put a bit of a crack in the center section and I don't think anyone would want it after that (but it isn't a big crack and the tubes could just be welded all the way around."

Would this fix the problem and make it sturdy? I would prefer a beefy 3/4 ton over my 1/2 ton 10b. Should I buy the entire axle since it has the gearing I'll be changing the rear 14bff for, or should I just buy the 8lug parts to convert my 10bolt.

I would have to do the gearing in my 10bolt if I convert.

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

I'd buy it, weld it, and run it.

 

[la_blazer82]

The other problem is that I don't weld. How much would I be looking at to have the axle tube welded?

 

[85HeartBurb]

go back to the socal site we have a couple of welders in the club!!!

AKA 74BLZR /forums/images/graemlins/weld.gif

 

[la_blazer82]

Just wanted to know whether I should jsut buy the outers and backing plates. Seems as though it would be a decent buy.

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

You could always transplant the guts into another case, also.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Weld it and run it as long as the crack isn't real bad or anything. Maybe even truss it for piece of mind. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

[ QUOTE ]
I would prefer a beefy 3/4 ton over my 1/2 ton 10b.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same axle just different outers /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

 

[hawkeye649]

http://coloradok5.com/axleswap.shtml

Comparisons of some of the different axles....

Steve's truck used to look purdy sweet, now it's looks purdy sick (in a good way). /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif /forums/images/graemlins/hack.gif /forums/images/graemlins/weld.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grind.gif