CK5
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Blzer La Pampa
- Thread starter ChrisAwesome
- Start date
ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
This is my inspiration. It's little too nice though. I would want my vehicle to be more rough. I enjoy bit of mad max/baja/gambler 500 style.
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ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
Anybody would guess what's the combo of lift/tire/rim on that picture? I think it's 6 inch lift, 38inch tire, 17inch rim.
I'd say that's very close but I'm thinking it's an 8.
My preference is less lift and some fender trimming. Doesn't need to be a hack job, just get rid of some sheet metal and make some more room. You can get a 37 or 38 on with 4" of lift if you make the right adjustments. Your u-joints will thank you. 8" lift will make steering and drivetrain a lot more difficult.
ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
I think I'm on the same page. Seen some good fender trimmed Blazers with 38" tires and they looked decent, well-proportioned I would say.
ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
As I said, I want to daily drive Blazer, around 95% local streets + highway and maybe 5% mild offroad like forest trails. I'm trying to figure out axle situation. I've got couple offers to purchase axles. But then I could potentially leave the ones I have on right now - they are 1/2 ton (attached pictures) with 2:73 gear ratio. What do you think about leaving axles in place and just replacing gears? I could get 4:56/4:88 gears for ~$300 from summitracing. Then I would need to pay somebody to put them on.
Here's a million dollar question - in order to change gearing on my 1/2 ton axles, do they have to be removed from the vehicle? Or somebody/shop could change them in place?
Also, as this truck won't see much offroad, are there benefits for me in going bigger axles than 1/2 ton?
I would love to eventually put 37/38" tires, so need to get appropriate axles for that.
Here's a million dollar question - in order to change gearing on my 1/2 ton axles, do they have to be removed from the vehicle? Or somebody/shop could change them in place?
Also, as this truck won't see much offroad, are there benefits for me in going bigger axles than 1/2 ton?
I would love to eventually put 37/38" tires, so need to get appropriate axles for that.
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gears can be swapped out while the axles are in place.
ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
If that's the case then I'm looking about $300 in parts + about $600 for labor for both axles if I was to go to the shop. That's $900 overall.
Is there any reason I would want to / should get rid of current axles?
you were quoted $300 an axle for labor? Make sure you have the necessary install kits, bearings, seals etc.
ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
Yes, I called that place http://www.rearendspecialties.com/index_files/Page1880.htm
That's cheap for someone breaking down the axles, setting up the gears and reassembling them. Setting up gears for $300 is about right......
If your gonna go to 37s or 38s I'd look at swapping in a 9.5" semifloat 14 bolt 6 lug.
This is out of a newer truck and is not a bolt in. Spring perches and shock mounts need moved.
Your other option is to find some 3/4 ton axles from another square body. Those are direct swaps. You'll just need 8 lug wheels.
This is out of a newer truck and is not a bolt in. Spring perches and shock mounts need moved.
Your other option is to find some 3/4 ton axles from another square body. Those are direct swaps. You'll just need 8 lug wheels.
ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
I found 3/4 ton axles with 4:10 or 4:11 gearing. Go figure - won't work with 38 tires. Or will it if I baby it?
I run 37" with 4.10 on my crew cab and blazer. Works fine. Both trucks are SM465 so no overdrive. Crew cab is a little bit pokey since it weighs more.
Your not gonna find deeper gears factory. What size tires do you have now. You said you'd eventually go to 37s or 38s. I ran 37s with 3.73 it wasn't awesome but fine for a while. Just kept the 700 out of overdrive
ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
Currently I have 35" tires on 15" rims.
Those will get fine with 4.10s bigger and yes you'll wanna go deeper. 38s with a 700 and I'd do 5.13s or 5.38s.
ChrisAwesome
1/2 ton status
I called them again today and asked very specifically about scope of work and quote. They said '$2500 for everything' which includes parts and labor for regearing and changing all seals and bearings. Now that's totally different conversation, I really don't think it's worth putting this much money into 1/2 axles.
I'm going to look at this a little differently. Hang in with me.
You want to run 37 to 38" tires right? Let's work that problem before getting to the axles. That size tire is going to require at minimum 6" lift to fit without sheetmetal trimming. 6" lift on a K5 will require driveline modifications to address the major change in driveshaft angle due to the lift. Now we can talk about the axles needing regeared to adjust for the tire size and the crappy 2.73's you are starting with. 4.10's would be better than the 2.73's for sure, but not ideal. 4.56's would be better and either them or the 4.10's are going to require a 4 series carrier to adjust for the different gearing.
Now there's more than one way to skin a cat in this case. You could use 37's on 4 inch lift with more trimming and since you don't plan on any serious off road action other than forest roads. Clearance for suspension flex isn't as needed as somebody that would wheel the truck on more technical trails.
Going in a different direction, 4.10's and 35's is a much better combo than the gearing you have now. It won't require any more lift than you have now. If you aren't or can't do the work to swap gears or entire axles, factor the costs to have somebody to do it for you into your plan.
You want to run 37 to 38" tires right? Let's work that problem before getting to the axles. That size tire is going to require at minimum 6" lift to fit without sheetmetal trimming. 6" lift on a K5 will require driveline modifications to address the major change in driveshaft angle due to the lift. Now we can talk about the axles needing regeared to adjust for the tire size and the crappy 2.73's you are starting with. 4.10's would be better than the 2.73's for sure, but not ideal. 4.56's would be better and either them or the 4.10's are going to require a 4 series carrier to adjust for the different gearing.
Now there's more than one way to skin a cat in this case. You could use 37's on 4 inch lift with more trimming and since you don't plan on any serious off road action other than forest roads. Clearance for suspension flex isn't as needed as somebody that would wheel the truck on more technical trails.
Going in a different direction, 4.10's and 35's is a much better combo than the gearing you have now. It won't require any more lift than you have now. If you aren't or can't do the work to swap gears or entire axles, factor the costs to have somebody to do it for you into your plan.
