This is going to be an offroad toy mostly. I'm sure I'll find myself driving to work and around town when the temps fall out here. Can't wait to get the "top down and cruise". I won't be stomping the gas either way. I'll use the 33's as spares. It's a shame that they are dry rotted cuz they have so much tread left, but at least I have four spares till they get used up. That will probably be quickly since the 35's on the rig are boloney skins... I did some more reading on the axles. Sounds like I might be able to get away with the 10 bolt up front long term based on what others in AZ had to say because of our terrain out here. Maybe I'll eventually get a 14 bolt rear with 6 lugs (if I can find one) since I already have 8 rims to work with, or I can maybe get some cash for the aluminum rims on it right now and get 8 lug steels which I like better anyway. This is a budget rig so I'll keep costs down where I can when the time comes i.e. things break. Shoot, new tires will cost me about as much as I paid for the whole vehicle! Oh well, nobody said toys are cheap. I'm hopeful once I get the steering taken care of I'll have a decent rig with no major pitfalls till I have to spring for tires and maybe a rear axle.
CK5
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I'm worried about my first k5 purchase
- Thread starter bjr34bass
- Start date
A 14SF 8-lug axle (bolt in from 80's 3/4 ton) can be converted to 6-lug easily.
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
Or find a 14sf that is already 6 lug. Some subs had them and are harder to find. I think the lugs area different size than the front but the 6 lug rims still fit Perfect. Definitely wait and see if you break anything first and just enjoy it the way it is. If you Start breaking stuff Then worry about upgrades. I broke 2 rears and the third wasn't holding up either. That's the only reason I went 3/4 ton. Was just easier to find and Having the 8 Lug front hubs have me a stronger bearing since my 72 had the smaller outer bearing In it and was also going through them every other year.
This require moving spring perches and shock mounts, but that isn't a deal breaker. Just pick where you want to put the work in.
