Axle Decision Crossroads

[joshthemule]

Well, I'm up to my next major project and I'm just not sure what to do. I've got 10 bolt front and rear open diffs and rear drums.

This is supposed to be the ultimate family offroad vehicle. I have no intentions of rockcrawling or doing any kind of competition. I just like taking the family outdoors and driving offroad.

So, Do I build the axles I have with chrome molly shafts, ring and pinion, lockers, premium hubs and all that other stuff or...

Do I get a Dana 60 and a 14 bolt FF from a salvage yard and do all the same stuff.

Obviously the difference being lots of money for the second option. I guess if I got the bigger axles I would upgrade the shafts and I'd try to find them with the gears I want (4.56 CUCV axles)

I just don't have the experience to know if the 10 bolts will hold up.

Suggestions?

 

[obijuan]

how big of a tire do you want? if you want security just get the 14 bolt ff and convert your front to 8 lug. a dana 60 is overkill for your afore mentioned wheelin. 10 bolts will hold up fine most likely if you arent heavy footed. hell i done some decent froadin with 10 bolts and 37s. i got my set very cheap from somebody which were built up and went 1 ton in the end. just look around for the deals.

 

[Thunder]

If you are not planinng on over 35" tires I would just save your money and stay ten bolt. For a family 4x4 truck. ? Why build way More than you will ever need by going with 1 ton? Waste of money IMO.
10 bolts work fine off road as long as you are easy on the throttle and don't run over 35" tires.
I run mine locked front and rear with 33s no problems. I beat the hell out of my truck. Rocks, Mud, Snow, Sand and general 4x4 stuff. I like 10 bolts as long as they are run within their limits. I have been out with people who have broken D60 on the same obstacle I went over on 10Bs. 1 ton stuff ain't no substitute for skill.
There are many of us here that run 10Bs and wheel hard.
Unless you are planning on running 4+ trails on 37s. 10 bolts should serve you well.

 

[obijuan]

1 ton stuff ain't no substitute for skill.

ohh thats a good one! but i dont have the 1 tons or the skill anyways lol!