Diff swap

[nukeshooter]

Okay here's the deal. I don't know what I need to swap out front and rear diffs on 84 k5. want to go with dana 60's but I've been told the dana 44 in the front will do. 383 stroker w/ 400-500 hp 400 torque. I also want to replace 4spd to turbo 400. Any advice on obtaining parts and what to look for at salvage yard.

Thanks

Gun control is hitting what you aim at.

 

[Stomis]

Tire size is gonna be a huge factor here.

I would automatically say that with that much power A) dont waste your time with a 44 front and B) dont waste your time with a 60 rear.

60 rears arent very good axles like all the jeepers like to make them out to be. Get a 14b FF and have the piece of mind of knowing that if you ever break a shaft you should just stop jumping your truck off 40 ft cliffs while doing 100mph.

Btw I would advise against swapping the sm465 out for a slushbox. Shore the th400 is beef and will take it but why invest money and time into shift kits and servos to get 90% of your power down when an sm465 will give you 100% power with piece of mind.

 

[nukeshooter]

Thanks for the input. I'll keep it in mind. Not quite sure what a 14b FF is though. Where would I look to get one? OR AT LEAST SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

A FF (Full Floating) 14 bolt is a rear differential commonly found in 3/4 and 1 ton Chevy trucks.

As for what they look like, try searching google images but there are two REALLY easy ways to spot a FF 14 bolt: the first is the hub extending through the center of the wheel with 8 bolts holding on the axle shaft and the second is the removable pinion support (i.e. the pinion piece of the axle can be unbolted and removed).

A Dana 44 is nearly identical to the 10 bolts that are under your truck from the factory, you're not going to be upgrading by going to a Dana 44.

As for "Dana 60's" being good diffs, that's not inherently true. The ONLY thing that the term Dana 60 refers to is the center section (i.e. ring/pinion and carrier size).

There are tons of "undesirable" Dana 60 (front and rear) diffs with 19, 30 and 32 spline shafts that aren't really very strong.

But as mentioned, tire size and use will really determine how much axle strength you'll need.