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Strait Axel Conv.

Snowman1000

Snowman1000

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Posts
521
Reaction score
0
Location
Freeland Michigan
I was looking at a 89 chevy and it has a 350 4x4 all that fun stuff but NO STRAIT AXELS:( so I was wondering I have heard of strait axel conversions but was wondering cost and how hard it would be
 
Well I gues that really settles it because its not really my favorite body style just seemed like if it came across at the right price maybe could have made a halfway decent truck out of it. I guess that ill just keep looking for an old strait axel chevy. Thanks for your quick response.
 
im pretty happy with the way mine turned out, i like the body style so it helps me coupe with the amount of money ive invested in it which is about 5K at this point, but to do a k5/10 etc right with gears, locker, tires, rims, xover, etc. id venture to say you would be getting damn close if not right there with what ive spent

here is my parts collection/build thread

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202736
 
If you go into it knowing that its going to cost alot than its not bad.

Kind of depends on what kind of rig you want if you like the solid axle chevys style more than keep looking. I have some freinds with SFA swaps (Solid Front Axle) I think their trucks are great none of them had to deal with rust they have much nicer interiors than me etc etc etc.

There are advantages to both the newer and older trucks you just have to weigh pros and cons and be honost about what you want.
 
blazinzuk said:
I have some freinds with SFA swaps (Solid Front Axle) I think their trucks are great none of them had to deal with rust they have much nicer interiors than me etc etc etc.
Click to expand...

GOOD POINT
 
ryan22re said:
Axle.
Click to expand...

Sorry

Well I do like the older strait AXLE chevys more than the newer style I just thought I had a set of 10 bolts at my disposal and the truck came across as the right price I thought maybe. But I think that I would be happier with an older chevy. I am kind of looking now I am just kicking my self because I procrastinated on buying a 78 chevy stepside project it was in good shape looked good ran good 875$. Well needless to say its gone the guy decided to keep er and now I really want to buy a feasable project.
 
I prefer the newer trucks for a couple reasons....

1. Easy to get parts for. The OOBS trucks are still out there, but usually rotted to death.
2. Fuel Injection. Done the carb'd thing, it sucks in the winter. EFI 'nuff said.
3. More "luxurious" than the older trucks. Though there are some nice interiors on the older, but they work on newer ones.
4. How many SAS'd trucks do you see???? Anybody can build an already SAS'd truck....
 
You really dont need a straight axle either. Its nice to have in certain types of offroading but not necessary. If its a good buy get it and have fun. If you break it fix it a couple of times. If you keep breaking then consider what you are doing to cause it. And if the straight axle will help. I have beat the holy crap out of beater trucks. Most with the Ifs fronts. What finally breaks them is me doing something stupid or just plain oh wear and tear. I use to think same way, if it aint straight axle its not worth messing with. Then when you get straight axle its got to be Dana 60. And if you get 60 you need super strong shafts super low gears, huge tires. The pattern never stops. Next rockwells... I had forgot about the shear fun of taking a bone stock truck and just getting out there and having a good time. Minimal cost and maximum fun. Yes if your budget says you can have the best equipment go for it. But my broke ass budget says gocart frame on a shopping cart............;)
 
But my broke ass budget says gocart frame on a shopping cart............;)[/quote]

:haha: Do I know the feeling

Im not saying that I NEED strait axels I was just thinking that I do like them they are easier and alot CHEAPER to lift I dont have a problem with them besides that. As for Dana 60's I dont wheel nearly enough or hardcore enough to need those.
 
Snow ball effect. I lost interest in the sport cause I could not have or afford the bling axles or suspensions. I revamped my idea of what I thought was fun and now I have no problems. Stock with bald tires beats not going at all. Hell you ever try to drive down a dirt clay road after it rains? weeeeeeeeeeeee fun. one ditch the the other...........
 
if you are planning on lifting the truck, you could factor in the price of the lift. then you will be breaking half-shafts left and right (pun intended).most of us have spare parts off older trucks or can get em from our buddies cheap. One thing that I dont think has been said yet is that his 10 bolt wont work, or maybe his transfer case wont work depending on what he wants to do. so if I had a front end already (ford) and wanted to do a lift Id probably just do a SAS. because breaking half-shafts gets old, the minute you put your ifs truck in 4wd it throws the alignment off so you have to align em often or get your tires prematurely worn. the newer trucks have more luxuries, to get these in an older truck you either have to add em or get one in really good shape and spend just as much as a newer truck with an SAS. just my two cents

Dustin
 
Snowman1000 said:
Sorry

Well I do like the older strait AXLE chevys more than the newer style I just thought I had a set of 10 bolts at my disposal and the truck came across as the right price I thought maybe. But I think that I would be happier with an older chevy. I am kind of looking now I am just kicking my self because I procrastinated on buying a 78 chevy stepside project it was in good shape looked good ran good 875$. Well needless to say its gone the guy decided to keep er and now I really want to buy a feasable project.
Click to expand...

You spelled straight wrong too.

Get a spell checker.
 
35dp said:
if you are planning on lifting the truck, you could factor in the price of the lift. then you will be breaking half-shafts left and right (pun intended).most of us have spare parts off older trucks or can get em from our buddies cheap. One thing that I dont think has been said yet is that his 10 bolt wont work, or maybe his transfer case wont work depending on what he wants to do. so if I had a front end already (ford) and wanted to do a lift Id probably just do a SAS. because breaking half-shafts gets old, the minute you put your ifs truck in 4wd it throws the alignment off so you have to align em often or get your tires prematurely worn. the newer trucks have more luxuries, to get these in an older truck you either have to add em or get one in really good shape and spend just as much as a newer truck with an SAS. just my two cents

Dustin
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info I'm not so much looking for the luxuries of the truck or not even so much the looks. I just thought that if it could be done affordable I would consider it. Why do the tires come out of alignment on IFS trucks??

spell checker:waytogo:
 
well i might be harder on my stuff than others, i had 33'" all terrains at first then 35'' boggers then 38'' sx's, 6'' lift, 3'' body on my '89 3/4 ton. I could not keep it aligned. I also broke several tierods and halfshafts and all it ever seen was mud and pavement. I wished that I would have put a solid axle in it from the beginning. I also have an '04 with a 6'' RCD, i figured I wasnt going to wheel the truck so I left it IFS and i have pulled the front halfshaft apart twice in 2wd just going through creek crossings at a campground. I had to put limiting straps on it. it sounds like the snowman needs to go with an older truck, but it you get a newer one man, dont bother with the IFS.

Dustin
 
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