Mini spool vs welded

[Westcoast]

Hi guys, recently picked up a 87 k5, it has a 305, 208, 700r4, 10 bolts with 3.73s and 31s and about 3" springs in the rear. I was told the rear was a posi but when I pulled the cover to change the gear oil I found a gov lock , so its gotta go. I would like get an open carrier and either put a mini spool in or weld it and Im not sure which would be stronger? It will be used for trails, some rocks and some mud, we have everything around here. I will be putting aftermarket axles in it and I am not worried about it being locked as it will be driven mostly offroad. Looking at either strange mini (billet chrome-moly), or richmond mini (forged 4140). I will probably put a 6" lift on it and go to 35s this summer and if I go bigger than 35s I will go to a 60 and 14b, but just want to run the 10 bolts for now. Thanks for your knowledge/opinions.

Ian

 

[blazd88]

Definetly weld it!! If you do it right its even better than a mini plus if you "might"(we have all been there) you dont want to waste money one a spool.

 

[6.2Blazer]

I agree with the above. Don't waste any money on the 10-bolt so just weld it. I think welded vs. a spool is a moot point on a rear 10-bolt because you will break something else first.

 

[u2slow]

I think you'll need to swap in an open diff case to use a mini-spool. IMO too much effort/$$$ involved for the results gained. If anything weld it and run it till it breaks. I would stitch the spiders to the diff case if possible to reduce the load on the crosspin.

In the meantime, start looking for something better. A buddy had his Ford 9" axles welded and redrilled for $80. 88-98 6-lug 14bSF is another decent choice (easy to find in 3.73). Either will put up with a locker or mini spool much better.

Those are just a couple of beefier 1/2-ton choices.... 14bFF's and D70/80s are always options if you want to 8-lug.

 

[Westcoast]

Thanks for the replies, I do have a 14b ff and know of a 3/4t pu I could get for about $500 with a d44 front and 8 bolt rims with 35s, also has t350/205 (not fixed yoke )and 14b, not sure if its a ff. But if im going to tear it apart I would rather do a lift and a d60 at the same time, and right now I just want to get out wheelin and not spend too much $ or time on it. Only thing is the gov bomb has got to go!

 

[blazd88]

You can weld up a gov bomb!

 

[Westcoast]

I thought the carrier was the weak part of the gov bomb, do they last welded?