86 k5 axle swap and lift

[punx.inc]

ive got an 86 k5 with corporate 10 bolts, all bone stock. im wanting to run 35 in tsl's, and am going to put on 4 inches of suspension lift ( 2 in front springs, 2 in add a leaf in rear, and longer shackles) and cut the rest of the clearence out of the fenders if needed. now comes my issue. im tossing two options in the air, and im wanting some feedback on what you guys think would be more cost effective and efficient. should i keep the 10 bolts, throw in some 4.11 gears, and fix the yoke on the rear axle, or should i get some 1ton axles (i know a guy with a truck thats got dana 60 and 14 bolt for a couple hundred bucks ). if i go with the 1 ton axles, will i need to buy a 1 ton lift, or the lift designed for the my blazer. i dont NEED the extra strength of the 1 tons cuz my rig is mostly road and mudding, no rock crawling or anything like that. help me out guys. thanks a lot.

 

[chris85]

if you can get a d60 and 14 bolt for only a couple hundred bucks I'd say buy it and turn around and sell the 60 for a thousand. Thats if you don't want to use it, and assuming its in good enough condition.

 

[punx.inc]

um, thanks. not to be a dick or anything, but, that wasn't really all that helpful. but at least you gave me feedback lol. its still appreciated.

 

[Desert Yeti]

If the 1 ton axles already have the ratio you want and are already road worthy AND you can really get them for just a couple hundred bucks, get them. You'll spend at least a couple hundred on new gears for your 10 bolts, so if the beefy axles already have the ratio you want it's a winning proposition.

You will need to move the spring perches on the 14b rear if it's from a 1 ton. The front should bolt right in.

You'll need 8 lug wheels and if you're currently running 15" wheels it can be a challenge of custom grinding and/or wheel backspacing to run 15's on that D60.

Lift: These parts are mostly the same. You'll need U bolts particular to the new axles, but the springs are the same, at least as far as dimensions... stock 1 ton springs are of course beefier, but as for lift springs on a K5, the regular 1/2 ton springs should work great and not ride too harsh. It sounds like you're already on board with buying misc parts rather than a whole "kit" so just do that... get U bolts for the 1 ton axles, front springs of your choice (TC HD's are some of the best for the price) and shackle flip the rear and you're set!

Bottom line: For a mostly street driven truck on 35's, it's probably a toss-up cost-wise. 1 ton axles/new wheels/fab work versus new gears. The former is more work and gives you a stronger truck, the latter is ultimately easier but if you've got a line on a D60 that cheap, both options are probably about the same price.

While the first response may not have helped solve your question, he is right... that D60, if it's in good shape, is worth $800+ depending upon gears and condition.

 

[punx.inc]

well, the axles im running now need some work. the yoke on the rear is ****ed up and the linkage for the steering on the front is all ****ed up, plus a couple of broken lugs and some seals goin bad with the locker blah blah lol im thinking its gonna be better to get the one tons. thanks a lot for the input.

 

[KansasTwister]

i say d60 and 14 bolt, you already say you need rims and tires, when i go to lift my k5 im buying 17s for it anyway, tires are more plentiful in that size it seems, and makes the sidewalls vs rim look better in my opinion. Especially if its in the gears you want. Depending on the lift, your gonna need driveshafts anyway, time to beef up the yokes.

What trans and t case do you have?

I say, if you get the chance for the cheapside, DOIT!

 

[Desert Yeti]

hell yeah, ONE TONS! If your 1/2 ton axles need that much work anyway AND you can get a good deal on the 1 tons, there's no reason not to switch. My post above was assuming 1/2 ton stuff was in good working order.

Yes, 17 inch wheels are easier to fit and offer increasingly better (although slightly more expensive for some odd reason) tire options.

Even if the one tons aren't the gear ratio you want eventually (like if they're 3.73's) sounds like they're worth picking up and swapping in anyway...you can change the ratio later and throw away your half-broke half-ton stuff.

 

[punx.inc]

well i just picked up an 86 army 1 ton. so i may set the blazer aside. i would go ahead and swap everything on the 1 ton out, but its only got 24000 miles on it and the interior is leather and immaculate. it was very well taken care of by the unit that had it. so im gonna go ahead and keep the blazer where its at right now, and make it a pleasure ride to cruise in with the kids. they love riding with the top off and riding around town making a lot of noise. ill make the 1 ton into my driver and thrasher. i only drive 2 miles a day anyways haha. thanks for all the input though guys. ill eventually put 1tons under the blazer in the next year or so, but im gonna focus on this pick up for now.