opinions... 10 bolts and 35's

[Aquaman]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

Just get a 14SF, and you'll be fine with 35's. 10 bolt rears like to go out really easy. Even on Mall Crawlers. Get yourself a 14SF, and you won't have to worry about it. When was the last time you heard about somebody breaking a 14SF?

If I was just going to run some 35's, and I wanted to keep my 6lug wheels, then what I would do is this... keep the 10 bolt, and put a 14SF in the rear. Put a locrite in the front, and a spool or detroit in the rear. 4.10's or 4.56's. And you are good to go. If you spit a front shaft, then get some chrome moly's and CTM's. You won't break anything really.

 

[Aquaman]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

10b... d44
10b... 12b

All the same strength wise. Maybe 1% difference, but not anything special.

The 14sf is 6 lug stock by the way. 90% of them are anyway.

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

[ QUOTE ]
The 14sf is 6 lug stock by the way. 90% of them are anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nonsense. 85+% of them are 8 lug. They were 8 lug only from 81-87, and now, the only 6 lug ones are in 1/2 ton extended cab Z71s with the HD suspension package and light duty 3/4 tons. It could also be found in 5 lug in the 454 SS pickups! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[getitup]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

If all you are going to have is 35s and put around in a little mud every now and then I say stick with the 10 bolt. Most of the guys I wheel with have 1/2 ton GM axles with 36s and never break them. We go out to Alton, Il and wheel in nasty river mud and never have a problem breaking the axles. When we start atacking the hills is the time we break things but it is usually the driveshaft u-joints, but never an axle. Plus correct me if I am wrong but only running 35s with such large axles in the mud will only slow you down because you just have to push them through the mud? I think Peterson's just said some thing about this in there magazine. I dont think that you can shave a 14 bolt down to the size of a 10 or 12 bolt.

 

[Aquaman]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

Don't believe everything you read in a magazine. Stronger axles is always better.

 

[getitup]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

Yeah I know that stronger axles are better if you need them but if you dont then whats the point in wasting money. Everyone in our wheeling club with 36s have 1/2 ton gear and never break them so I plan to do the same. 1 guy has 38s and breaks his D44 all the time so I know that stronger axles are better. All I am saying is he can put his $$$ into other things and see better results.

 

[chev4life]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

That is my whole concern about this. I think the diffs will be fine for what I do with 35's...and I also think it is worth the extra cash getting the correct gears for 10bolt, but maybe I will hold off on anything more than that until I have the money to get new diffs. My other concern is towing on my rear end, think the 10bolt and 35's will be fine towing a few boats here and there??

 

[TXsizeK5]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

Whatever these guys say about 10 bolts not worth spitting on.... i ran 10bolts and 35's and did some good wheelin on em wihtout any breakage. I've seen guys run 40's on 10bolts and not have any problems. I just wouldnt invest way too much. I learned the hardway i put 4.56 and lockers in my 10bolts only to get a 14bolt later down the line. but if you're only running mud a 14bolt slows you down w/ 35's thats what happens to me now. but the peace of mind of not brekaing something when u feel like jumping ur truck is priceless =)

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

I never said that a 10 bolt wasn't worth spitting on, I simply wouldn't spend any money at all on a 10 bolt. It's all wasted when you upgrade anyway. If it's what you got, stick with it. When it's time to upgrade, get something better, and upgrade that. Don't waste any money at all on a 10 bolt...just run it until you find the need to swap it out.

If you want different gears, get a set of 3/4 tons, take them into a shop, and get the gears changed. Then swap the 10 bolts out from under your truck for the 3/4 ton axles with whatever gear choice you've made. The axles can be had for $300-400 a set, and it gives you a chance to put new brakes on them, new wheel bearings, new gear ratio, and upgrade your axle strength at the same time.

Believe me, there simply is no other way to go!

 

[bajaviking]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

If you connect your brain before applying your right foot you can make those 10 bolts go a long way before they break. I ran a lock rite in my 10 bolt rear diff. for a good while before i moved it to the front and put a welded 12 bolt in the back. I have broken u-joints but never any axles, this is my daily driver and I have pulled a blazer 100 miles with it, a Jeep the same distance, and I wheel it whenever I have the chance. So far so good.

Note: Welding a rear diff. is great for wheeling but it sucks on the street, personally I don't care but be prepared for the side effects if you decide to try it.

 

[TXsizeK5]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

Thats definately true. I broke my lockrite playing in the sand the same weeeknd i got it thinking I was invincible w/ a locker. Now with a 14bolt I really am invincible /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[bigjbear]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

Search, its been covered about a 1000 times. My $.02, don't bother w/ a FF14B and 35s, too much clearance lost.

 

[Blue85]

Re: opinions... 10 bolts and 35\'s

What I've been wondering is what kind of a deal you could get from a junkyard to trade axles. If a 4.10 10-bolt is like $200, would they take a 3.08 or 3.73 10-bolt back for $100? I've never asked about trading parts, but if they would do it, that could come in handy.