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front axle choices, and where to look?

N

nixit

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I'm going to run a 14bolt rear. Its got 4.10's and Detroit now might need to go taller going to run 35's don't plan on beating it up.

I have stock 10bolt now with 3.58's? I can't remember just know they are 3 something.

I could convert to 8 lugs, and re-gear but is it worth it should I look for a 44 or 60?
What trucks came with 8lug 10's for donors?

Is there much gain swapping a 10 for a D44?

If I go D60 what donors should I be looking for?

Ive been searching and reading to much its all running together. I need get off the internet and turn some wrenches
 
I got a d60 and a 14 bolt from the same truck. To bad you couldn't do the same. Gear swaps are expensive if you can't do the work yourself.I would look for a 60 with 4.10 to match the rear if I were you. Better then the axles you mentioned but, heavier.
 
With 35's and not planning on hardcore, I'd stick with a 10 bolt front. Plenty of 3/4 tons were 10 bolt with 4.10's...so I'd look for one of those as a donor.

No strength diff between the 10 and D44.

The D60 front is the mack daddy, but can be spendy to buy, and more so to rebuild and /or re-gear. Really not necessary with 35's, and with that tire size you'll lose ground clearance to boot.
 
What did they come out of.

I've never done a rear end but I've rebuilt engines and transmissions. I ain't scurd
 
If you're set on a D60, it's K30, or CUCV mil spec K30. 1028, 1031, 1008 among others. The Military pick-ups were mostly 4.56, D60 front, 14 bolt rear with detroit. They're probably the best bang for the buck IMO
 
tRustyK5 said:
With 35's and not planning on hardcore, I'd stick with a 10 bolt front. Plenty of 3/4 tons were 10 bolt with 4.10's...so I'd look for one of those as a donor.

No strength diff between the 10 and D44.

The D60 front is the mack daddy, but can be spendy to buy, and more so to rebuild and /or re-gear. Really not necessary with 35's, and with that tire size you'll lose ground clearance to boot.
Click to expand...

Awesome man that's the advice I was looking for:thumb:, I don't want to sacrifice clearance for some beef I don't need.

So I just need to find out where to look for a 8 lug 10bolt
 
Most any 3/4 ton pick-up or Suburban from 78-87 will get you a 4.10 8 lug 10 bolt front. Or scour the classifieds here...lots of guys upgrading.
 
Sure it will. I run a lock right in mine and wheel it pretty good. BUT, I know my limitations going in and I'm easy on the throttle. I want to wheel, not fix my truck in the dirt.

I also modded my front axle shafts to accept full circle clips for the joints. This doesn't add strength in any way, but the main reason front joints fail is because the cap has rotated and pushed the C-clip right off allowing the cap to come out and cause damage/breakage/failure/etc.
 
Factor in how much it will be to swap in 4:10 to your current 10bolt.
You may find a D60 in 4:10 for not too much more.
There are deals out there - just be patient and be on the lookout starting now.

The rear 14bolt is your low point already. Getting a D60 up front isn't going to be your low point, so I wouldn't make that a big factor.

Sounds like the D60 will be bullet proof n your application.
You can wheel knowing the front will never break. I have seen open 10bolts and D44s break with 35's. Even not in hardcore wheeling. There is a lot to be said for that secure feeling you won't break. Getting unstuck/winching is easier than doing trail repairs on a broken front axle.
 
8-lug 10-bolts with 4.10 gears should be plentiful and cheap. Chevrolet or GMC 3/4 ton trucks from around '77-'78 up until the '87 pickups or '91 Subs used the 8-lug 10-bolt and 4.10's were probably the most common gears. You should be able to find one of these much cheaper then regearing your current axle and swapping it to 8-lug.
 
I'm tripping over 4.10 geared, 8 lug, Dana 44's. Early K20's came with them from 1973 till 1977 (some till 1980). GM started phasing in 10 bolts in 1978 and used them until 1987 (1991 in 3/4 ton Suburbans). Either axle will work fine, and be much cheaper/easier than swapping gears in your existing axle.

That being said, if you find a good deal on a Dana 60, buy it.

Martin
 
well Im probably going to stick with the 10 bolt. I've got allot going into the truck already. Ill get it on the road with a 10 bolt and start collecting parts for a d60 and x over steering in the future.

I've got a scardy cat wife and 2 little girls that don't like it when i get crazy. So a 10 sounds like it will hold up fine

Thanks for all the advice!
 
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