Ford Axles on a K5

[wildbluek5]

Before you guys crucify me, just hear me out.

I'm running stock Gm corp axles on a 1985 K5. 10bolt front, 14 bolt rear.
I re-sprung it last year with a BDS 6" all spring lift, and Bds gas charged shocks. It's way to stiff for the dunes where I wheel so I removed a leaf from the front spring pack. It was getting better flex, but after just two weekends in the dunes I've bent one of the front spring packs, and sheared off the centering pin on one side.

Frustration has gotten the better of me and I'm thinking of bolting on a Ford D44 up front with extended trailing arms, coil springs, and reservoir shocks. I have imediate access to a Ford 9" for the rear. It seems like a poor man's four link up front, and I've got a brother in law that beats the crap out of a d44 with this exact setup.

Any thoughts.
I'd like to hear some feed back from some other K5 owners.
With the type of wheeling that I do in the dunes, I need to get the best possible suspension that will handle the whoops, and I can't afford a true 4 link setup.

Don't hate me for thinking of putting Ford axles under my K5, it's just a crazy idea I thought of, and it just might work.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

you won't gain anything strength wise from going to the D44 and you have to get a driver's side drop t-case. why not put the brackets on your existing axle?

seems like you are on a tight budget for what you want, why not get a better set of front springs with a softer srping rate and properly valved shocks for your intended use?

 

[George_Pimpdaddy]

always though of BDS springs to be one of the better brands and on the softer side, almost sounds like your wants are to much for a 6" spring might get the ride you like with less arc aka 4" or some customs

 

[Stomis]

you won't gain anything strength wise from going to the D44 and you have to get a driver's side drop t-case. why not put the brackets on your existing axle?

seems like you are on a tight budget for what you want, why not get a better set of front springs with a softer srping rate and properly valved shocks for your intended use?

Id rather change out the tcase then weld those brackets on a different axle anyday....

Try and find a high pinion ford axle. And I would leave the 14b. Theres nothing wrong with a 9in but to me it sounds like you going fast which means mashing the gas. Stock 14b > 9in for strength.

 

[wildbluek5]

you're probably right about the softer spring rate & properly valved shocks.
I wish I would have done more research before installing the current setup.
Now I'm just trying to make the best of what I've got.

I thought about welding brackets & installing trailing arms and coil overs on my corp 10", it would be easier to keep everything GM!

I don't think I want to go to a 4" lift as I need all the wheel travel that I can get. I'm not saying that BDS is a bad spring, I just don't think that I've got the right combination for my type of wheelin'.

 

[wildbluek5]

14b > 9"

I'm glad to hear some positive feedback on the 14 bolt. It's been strong so far, and I had the covers off this spring and there's no sign of wear.

Planning on a full spool & 4.56:1 gears this coming winter.

I'm not opposed to changing out the T-case as the current 208 seems to need a rebuild anyway. (It keeps popping out of 4 high)

 

[Stomis]

If your going to go to a link setup it would be much easier to change your tcase and put a ford axle in.

 

[DR]

[I'm not opposed to changing out the T-case as the current 208 seems to need a rebuild anyway. (It keeps popping out of 4 high)[/quote]


Dont they all?

 

[Blue85]

Are you talking about a Ford twin-traction beam Dana 44 or a solid Dana 44?

 

[wildbluek5]

solid axle

If I decide to make the switch it would definitely be a solid axle D44, or better.

I was reading on another site that GM 14 bolt 10.5" ring gear axles are easy to find on old cucv's. It's kind of a whole new train of thought, but what the hey, I'm willing to look at all options at this point.