changing gears

[THRILLBILLY]

So im fixin to lift my truck up and run a set of 44's. I drive mainly on the street(my truck is a daily driver) and i know running a set of 44's on a DD is crazy. but i also run though the mud whenever its wet enough here in texas. right now im runnin a 350, 700R4, 208, 10 bolt front and 12 bolt rear, 35's with 3.73's. when it comes time to put my lift on and the tires would it be easier on my part to change gears front and rear with brand new parts and know that they are done right or swap the axles completely and save myself the trouble of sitting under my truck for hours setting up two sets of gears? what would y'all do?

 

[blazinzuk]

I know we have said this a hundred times and even though you just drive on the street. Get a 14b rear end. Seriously man. It sucks having a 44" tire go into traffic because you broke a c clip in the rear. It also sucks trying to have to explain that to the cops. Not in my truck but my buddy had 42s for a while on 10 bolts and then went to some used 44s, driving down the road about 35 mph snap, the driver side axle broke, I guess I am fat enough to balance the load out cause the truck did balance until we stopped but we both watched with sheer horror as the tire bounced into on coming traffic. It didn't hit anyone happily.

Besides that a 14 bolt is a great axle to do your first set of gears on, very simple and it can teach you the basic principles of the process.

If it were me I would take the axles out of the truck and use all brand new stuff.

 

[79rustyk10]

What he said!

And get the lowest gears possibly can, not sure how well a 700r4's gonna like 44's.

 

[THRILLBILLY]

I know we have said this a hundred times and even though you just drive on the street. Get a 14b rear end. Seriously man. It sucks having a 44" tire go into traffic because you broke a c clip in the rear. It also sucks trying to have to explain that to the cops. Not in my truck but my buddy had 42s for a while on 10 bolts and then went to some used 44s, driving down the road about 35 mph snap, the driver side axle broke, I guess I am fat enough to balance the load out cause the truck did balance until we stopped but we both watched with sheer horror as the tire bounced into on coming traffic. It didn't hit anyone happily.

Besides that a 14 bolt is a great axle to do your first set of gears on, very simple and it can teach you the basic principles of the process.

If it were me I would take the axles out of the truck and use all brand new stuff.

yeah thats what im leaning more towards. i can change gears in my sleep since ive had to rebuild the 12 bolt i have now 4 different times. I had it lock up twice on me once at 65, once at 40, then sheared every tooth off the pinion the last time taking off from a red light. and thats all with just 35's. my dad back in the day had the same 44's im fixing to run, a set of gumbo mudders on a 12 bolt and only destroyed a few u-joints. so i hear stories and have experienced both sides of the fence. I might just go steal my buddies 14 bolt, he dont use his truck anyways

 

[THRILLBILLY]

What he said!

And get the lowest gears possibly can, not sure how well a 700r4's gonna like 44's.

yeah if the 700R4 goes again, im swapping to a 400.

 

[blazinzuk]

I know a guy that drives a shortbed on 47s with 10 bolts. He claims to have never hurt anything but he ONLY street drives. Of course he replaces rear wheel bearings every year if not a bit more often

I mean it can be done for sure.

14 bolt is nice though because its a pretty safe bet you aren't going to break it. Not unbreakable but pretty dang tough

 

[THRILLBILLY]

I know a guy that drives a shortbed on 47s with 10 bolts. He claims to have never hurt anything but he ONLY street drives. Of course he replaces rear wheel bearings every year if not a bit more often

I mean it can be done for sure.

14 bolt is nice though because its a pretty safe bet you aren't going to break it. Not unbreakable but pretty dang tough

only street drives some 47's? dang i thought 44's was bad. if i go to tons im gonna gave to buy new wheels too. know of a cheap place to get wheels?

 

[sweetk30]

also bigger axles = BIGGER BRAKES

 

[chulisohombre]

if you already snapped axles on 35s they arent gona hold up to 44s,even street driven.get some one ton axles and you wont have to worry about them breaking so much.still possible with that big of time,but the 1/2 ton stuff might as well be toothpicks with those 44s on them.i run 35s and broke my rear 12 bolt 3 times and had to go 3/4 ton.the front is stronger because its not driven with power all the time like the rear.1/2 tons just arent up to the task of big tires.