'72 K5 - Greg's @MightAsWellK5 Build

[mrk5]

Having recently removed a Detroit in favor of an ARB, I can attest. I've had a Detroit for 10 years and obviously had gotten used to it because the biggest thing I notice with the ARB is how it seems like nothing is there now. I never really noticed the Detroit's affect anymore, but now I definitely notice the absence. The little bit of rearend sway, chirping tires on left turns when accelerating on to the highway, and driveline clunk when putting it in gear are the biggest things I notice are gone.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I run a Detroit front and rear and have NEVER felt any sway at all. I have not driven my current blazer in snow but my old blazer I had and no issues there either.

 

[Greg72]

I run a Detroit front and rear and have NEVER felt any sway at all. I have not driven my current blazer in snow but my old blazer I had and no issues there either.

Lucky you... Detroit up front sounds like a nightmare, especially in a truck like mine without (un)locking hubs.

-G

 

[superbuickguy]

I like your differential choice, but might I suggest you look at NASCAR surplus. 40 spline, detroit locker, disk brake rear ends cost about $1,200. They are also full-floating and use hub caps (which means you can remove them to pull the shaft out.... In any case, I run a 38.5 and won't run less then a 35 spline 4340 axle.... 31 spline is good for a stock explorer....

 

[Greg72]

I like your differential choice, but might I suggest you look at NASCAR surplus. 40 spline, detroit locker, disk brake rear ends cost about $1,200. They are also full-floating and use hub caps (which means you can remove them to pull the shaft out.... In any case, I run a 38.5 and won't run less then a 35 spline 4340 axle.... 31 spline is good for a stock explorer....

Don't forget, a portal axle develops peak torque AT THE WHEEL, and not at the ring and pinion like most axles. The hybrid axle guys have used the 31-spline axles successfully for years. The idea of a floating axle with removable caps doesn't work well with a portal box in the way...

The other consideration is the locker itself. Initially I wanted to go with a 35-spline ARB (RD-99) but the more I read about it the more I realized that it was a flawed design. There are numerous examples of broken locking collars, an issue that doesn't exist on the 31-spline version. (RD119)

In any case (pun intended).... the parts have already shipped from Strange and I should have some cool new photos to share early next week!!!


-G

 

[JoshHefnerX]

What r&p gearing did you order, and what was the portal gearing?

 

[Greg72]

What r&p gearing did you order, and what was the portal gearing?

2.47 R&P
2.13 Portal Gear Ratio

5.26:1 Overall Axle Gearing

-G

 

[Truckman4life]

Dang that's a big ass pinion gear!

 

[Greg72]

Dang that's a big ass pinion gear!

RIGHT???

It makes me smile to think about the GM 5.13 gearset and how tiny the pinion is by comparison..... I'll have identically deep gearing (actually just a tad deeper) with that enormous pinion adding loads of extra strength.

That's to say nothing about the fact that it actually has a bearing support on BOTH sides of it to help prevent deflection.


PS. Got my UPS Tracking info from STRANGE earlier today...... 75Lbs of "goodness" is now in transit!!!



-G

 

[Truckman4life]

Yeah I've always heard that higher gears are stronger. At least the pinion.

 

[AgDieseler]

There's nothing diet about that pinion.

David

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Been reading lsr forums lately and that's about as low as the 9" goes.

 

[Greg72]

Been reading lsr forums lately and that's about as low as the 9" goes.

I've heard rumors of a rare 2.2x ratio.... but to be honest, the 2.47s were pretty damn hard to find.

2.50 is a little easier to find, and 2.75s almost seem "commonplace" by comparison.


-G

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Lot of the guys are actually using gm 10-bolts because you can find many low 2.x gears... No portals there though rofl.

 

[superbuickguy]

I've heard rumors of a rare 2.2x ratio.... but to be honest, the 2.47s were pretty damn hard to find.

2.50 is a little easier to find, and 2.75s almost seem "commonplace" by comparison.


-G

I can confirm that rumor about the 2.23 gear... it's what is in my 50 Buick. I can also confirm how hard they are to find - funny, though, when I bought the housing (it was from a van) the seller was mad and was thrilled that I even wanted those "junk" gears. He was certain I was buying it for the housing. I didn't dissuade him from his opinion.

 

[superbuickguy]

I think the big deal is that Ford was always about RPM and not so much about torque. Trying to get that 3" stroke 302 to move a van with 2.23 gears had to be the height of slow - granted, it was 3 on the tree - but still that thing probably couldn't outrun glaciers.

 

[Greg72]

I think the big deal is that Ford was always about RPM and not so much about torque. Trying to get that 3" stroke 302 to move a van with 2.23 gears had to be the height of slow - granted, it was 3 on the tree - but still that thing probably couldn't outrun glaciers.

Yeah, but once you got it over 300MPH.....that thing would really MOVE!!!!


-G

 

[Bent77]

Late vote for an ARB rear as well

I was disappointed by the use of the low grade unleaded can for size reference

 

[Greg72]

Late vote for an ARB rear as well

I was disappointed by the use of the low grade unleaded can for size reference

Same Night..... High Octane Version!

-G

 

[superbuickguy]

that'll cure the diet issue.