Broke my rear end, need advice

[PPDCOP]

I was out driving a trail this weekend and destroyed the rear end on my 1983 Jimmy. It was a stock 10 bolt. Not really sure exactly what broke, but both axles were sliding out as I was having towed to the highway so the flatbed could tow it home. The U-joint also broke on the drive shaft. The only thing I can think of is that something seized in the rear end. I had it in 4 wheel drive at the time so that may have something to do with it.

I know I can go buy a used 10 bolt and just swap it out, but I don't want to have this happen again. Any suggestions for a replacement? I am on a very limited budget. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dyeager535]

Very limited huh? What are the specs on the truck, and your usage? Tire size, engine anything special, etc? With stock sized tires, the OPEN 10 bolts seem to actually hold up ok, it's the gov-lock versions that normally grenade.

Cheapest option is an open diff 10 bolt, next cheapest IMO is swapping over to a 14FF or 6 lug 14SF. Either of those is likely to run you a few hundred bucks, but in your case, I'm guessing your gears are 3.08, and you'd need a front axle too. Still not ridiculous in $$, but likely another couple hundred for a matching front. If you go 14FF, then you deal with new wheels for the 8 lug setup.

If your usage is light, and tire size relatively small, and you can get away with being open in the rear, I'd say another 10 bolt is your only option for "cheap". If it WASN'T a gov-lock rear, then I'd say you have no option but to upgrade, or it will happen again.

 

[skunked]

the title made me lol

Limited budget= swap in another 10 bolt.

 

[shady]

donut pillow

Oh wrong rearend.... I got nothing

 

[blazinzuk]

14 bolt sf 6 lug

 

[Blue85]

What size tires are you running? What gear ratio do you have? Current and future plans for the truck?

Yes, a nice upgrade is the 14B s/f, but when you do that you should get a good gear ratio, which means a front end swap or new front gears at the same time. The cheap temp fix is another matching 10-bolt as mentioned above. Some guys have to scrap 3.08 10-bolts because they can't give them away, so look around.

 

[skunked]

Some guys have to scrap 3.08 10-bolts because they can't give them away, so look around.

:raises hand:

 

[paratrooper307]

Tell me about it, I've got one sitting in my garage. Haven't even got any bites even on the Craiglist free section.

 

[Rugger187]

I had one and a Dana 44 front end I couldn't give away. I eventually gave them to the local shop for their scrap pile.