A few 10 bolt questions

[THISISWEIRD]

I've debated this (14 bolt swap or stay with 10 bolts) way, way too much, but a few more questions...

My gov-loc is no longer willing to work. LOL. I also want to change my gear ratio. So if I buy a new open carrier, I can just purchase any gear ratio I want (4.56) and put it on the new open carrier. Is that correct?

If I want to put a lock-right on there, it wouldn't matter that the new carrier has 28 spline spider gears when I need 30 spline, correct?

For the front end, I just need the new matching gears. Is that also correct?

What else do I need? Master install kit or something? My brother-in-law is going to do the install and I want to have everything I need.

Thanks,
John

 

[user]

response to ten bolt questions

you can put any ratio you want to on a new carrier, as long as the ring gear's the same diameter. you'll be replacing the pinion as well as the ring gear, so you have to have the measurement stuff to get the depth correct, and you'll be measuring to thousandths of an inch.

no, it does matter if the axles are 30-spline; you'd better check on the front, too, 'cause there were a few trucks made with thirty-spline front axles, but only for a few years. The thirty-splines are about an eighth of an inch larger in diameter than the twenty-eights. They definitely won't fit into a carrier made for twenty-eights, and there's no way to make them fit.

The ratio in the front has to be the same as the rear, so if you change out your ring and pinion in the rear, you need a matching set for the front.

there are install kits available that generally include ring gear bolts, pinion and inner axle bearings, a small assortment of pinion and side bearing shims, marking compound, cover gasket, and loc-tite.

Watch out with the install kits, though, as the side bearings required by the carrier you get may not be the same as what's in the kit (which is designed for the factory standard carrier).

Also if you've got thirty-spline front axles, you're going to have some problems finding a carrier that'll go in there. You may find it best not to completely rebuild that one, just replace the ring gear and pinion to match the rear.

 

[gmc4cw]

If you are going to the trouble of replacing a carrier and then putting a lock right in you might as well just buy a Detroit.

But then you could always just find a 14 bolt with 4.56 gears already in it and drop in a detroit. it would probably be cheaper in the end and you would have a much stronger axle. chances are that if you find a 4wd truck with 4.56 gears in the rear the front will be geared the same. grab both axles and be done.

I bought my 14 bolt, dana 44, both driveshafts, and a NP205 for $300. sold the 205 for $200. dropped a detroit in the 14 bolt for $400, replaced the brake shoes and hardware for next to nothing. I put a lockright in the front for about $300 and replaced the calipers, brake pads, rotors, balljoints and some warn premium hubs.

all said and done I had just over $1100 in my axles. You will easily spend that regearing your current axles without replacig all the brakes and you will still have 10 bolts.

 

[nm4x4]

You NEED a 30 spline carrier if you have a 91 with original axles! I just went through this, see http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212096&highlight=10+b+carrier . I got front and rear gears with master install kits (all Yukon) for under 500 bucks! (CCOR) I got a good loaded carrier from ebay for 56$ to my door. If you have somebody to install them then it would be worth it, if you have to pay you might think about an axle swap.

Jake

 

[Chevy305]

What sized tires are you running? Do you plan on going any bigger?

 

[THISISWEIRD]

Thanks for all the info.

I have 33's and looking to go to 35's. I can't imagine I'll go bigger, but all of you all know how that works out. I bought this truck as a hunting/fishing vehicle, now I already want more.