NOOB with axle swap questions!

[rpinkstn]

total Noob here, just looking for some opions, advice, wisdom...

Finally time to for an axle swap for my '86 K5! I have a bit of a dilema though, I'll do my best to explain...
A while back a good friend of mine (hard core Jeep Rock Crawler guy) talked me into doing some side work for him in exchange for axle parts. From that deal I got:

• '78 Ford F-250 Dana 60 *rear* axle, open diff, supposedly 4.10 gears, minus yoke, minus hard brake lines and minus parking brake cables
• nice brand new Solid Manufacturing diff cover for the D60 rear
• '78 Ford F-250 Dana 44 *front* hubs, spindles, stub-shafts, knuckles caliper brackets and calipers
• GM 4.10 ring and pinion and open carrier for a corporate 10-bolt front axle
• new spring perches for the D60 (loose in box)
• new shock mounts for the D60 (loose in box)
• new rear axle u-bolts and nuts for the D60
• new brake pads and shoes (front and rear)
• new bearings and seals for the D60 rear and D44 front components

Basically *most* of what he said was needed to get the D60 under the rear of my Blazer and convert the front 10-bolt axle from 6-lug to 8-lug D44 outers and re-gear it to match the D60 rear.
My dilema is this, I *know* the group wisdom says "Don't bother with a Dana 60 rear! Go with a 14bff!" But I already have all this stuff sitting in my garage! I know I still need, at a minimum:

• locker for the D60 rear (I think I've found one for cheap on C-list!)
• new (or used) yoke, yoke seal and yoke nut for the D60 rear
• new hard brake lines for the D60 rear
• new parking brake cables for the D60 rear
• some means of connecting or adapting the Ford style parking brake cables to the GM parking brake cable
• ??? not sure what else

While searching C-list for a D60 locker (which I think I've found) I also stumbled accross a local guy selling a complete 14-bolt rear for dirt cheap. He says he "thinks" it's has 4.10 gears, but he doesn't know if it has a limited slip diff. or open. He also didn't know if it's a SF or FF axle. It's out of an '85 3/4 ton Chevy truck so I'm sure it would bolt right up under my '86 K5 (right?)

Goals are a simple, low budget K5 that I can drive on the street, accross a plowed field, throgh a some mud , through the woods and get to some fishing holes and hunting spots. No plans for serious mud bogs or rock crawling. want to be able to take to the trails now and then, but nothing more than a 3 diamond. My engine is a fresh rebuilt low compression 350, trans is a fresh rebuilt 700r4, t-case is the stock 208.

What do you guys think? With cost being a major limitation, should I ditch all the Ford axle parts I already have and jump on this local 14 bolt and go that direction? Or stick with what I have and just get it together and wheel it?
Thanks for reading!
Rob

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

What size tire?

 

[rpinkstn]

What size tire?

33's for now, 35's eventually. I know that's not big, but I don't plan on lifting any more than 4". In fact, I plan to do the 4" lift at the same time as the axle swap. already have front lift springs and 4" shackle flip brackets.

Chris - just realized you're with ORD! I bought those springs and shackle flip brackets from you guys! had them a while - finally getting around to installing them.

 

[72blazerguy]

The best thing about that D60 is the clearance difference. A 14bff has a huge pumpkin that drags on everything. 14bff is stronger, but with your intended use, either should work fine.

 

[rpinkstn]

thanks for the responses guys. I believe I'll proceed with the D60 install.

another question... I've found a Trac-loc for the D60 locally for $175. It's used but comes with a 4.10 gear-set which will match the 4.10 gears I have for the front axle. assuming the clutches and gears are in decent condition, does that seem like a good price?

Cheapest I've seen a Trac Lok on evil-Bay is about $300.00. that was for a new one but it didn't include a gear set.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[paratrooper307]

That price seems decent, just make sure that they really are in good condition. With the amount of effort (and potential cost) involved in installing gears, you don't want to put in suspect parts.

 

[rpinkstn]

installing used gears

That price seems decent, just make sure that they really are in good condition. With the amount of effort (and potential cost) involved in installing gears, you don't want to put in suspect parts.

yup, makes sense!