Most of the military trucks have low miles on them and the components are in good condition. I would say that $350 isnt really a bad price. 4.56's will usually be low enough (depending on application) so you dont have to pay for a re-gear, and the detroit itself is upwards of $500. IMHO a 14ff with a detroit is the ideal combination. The detroit is one of if not the best and strongest locker on the market and has earned a reputation of being almost unbreakable (much like the 14ff). Id say get it...im running a cucv 14ff with 4.56's and a detroit and I wouldnt have it any other way.
Oh, and the only sure way to know the gear ratio is to pull the cover and look at the ring gear. If you spin it around, you will eventually see a line of numbers stamped on it. Its been a while but it goes something like this:
GM1034808274 41 9 7 90
The breakdown: The first part (GMxxxx) is just a long irrelevant string of numbers in this case. I guess its a casting number or whatnot but its unimportant here.
The next two numbers (41 9) are the ring and pinion teeth count. Divide the higher one by the lower one and you get the gear ratio. In this case, 41/9=4.56.
The last two numbers are the manufacture date. In this case the (7 90) would indicate that the axle was made in July of 1990.
-Harrison
