Drivetrain Upgrade Questions

[bodacious]

My K5 has a 350/350/208 combo with 10 bolts and 38" Radial Swampers. I want to upgrade the axles and diffs. I have debated on 3/4 or 1 ton stuff, but I honestly think that would b overkill. It is mostly street driven with the occasional mud run, so I am thinking of just upgrading the 10 bolts. What I have in mind is a set of chrome moly axle shafts, 4:56 gears, and possibly a rear locker. I feel like this would be a good set up for me. What do ya'll think?

I guess what I'm looking for is some input from you guys and maybe some alternatives that I may not be aware of. Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Muddytazz]

By the time you have money into your 10bolts, you'll have paid for a set of 3/4ton axles. I agree that for your mild wheeling 1 ton stuff might be overkill. I would at least go for 3/4ton axles.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

What he said.

 

[throttleissues]

X3. You'd spend more on regearing your 1/2 tons than buying a set of 3/4 tons with a deeper gear already in them. That's without even considering the extra for good shafts.

 

[bodacious]

Thanks guys, that's kinda what I was thinking. Now, my next question, and it may be a dumb one. Is there any way to run 6 lug outers on 3/4 ton axles. the reason is, and this may sound odd, but I like the wheels I am running and would like to be able to keep em, and what all is involved in swapping from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton axles? Will they bolt up without too much modification? What axles am I looking for, D44 and 12 bolts? I'm kinda new at this axle swapping stuff, as you might have guessed. BTW, I know where a 3/4 ton Chevy is, but I have to talk to him about selling it. It has an SM465, too, so if I can get the truck, I might be doing a trans swap too.

 

[Jason4x4]

Get a 6 lug 14B semi floater.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Dana 44 and 12 bolt are half ton axles. About the same strengths as 10 bolts and not up to 38's.

Just go find a 14FF and a D44 or 10 bolt front and swap them in. Then find some cheap 8 lug wheels. For the time, money, and effort spent on getting a 6 lug 14SF or some custom 6 lug 3/4 or 1 ton axle you could buy another set of 8 lug wheels and have money left over to regear.

 

[blazin' j]

same as above...go with the 8 lug swap...overkill is a good thing...it gives u the ability to continue to udgrade other things instead of keep havin to fix broken axles...jus my .02