Throughts on my Daily Driver...

[eclipse]

I've been debating these issues for some time now. Currently she rides on a 4in rough country lift with rear blocks, 33"s, and stock 10bolts with 3.08 gears. My main gripe is the gearing, 3.08s.. what the hell!!! with a sm465 and 33s my gearing is all off.

So I've been toying with the idea of a set of 3/4ton axles with 4.10 gearing. So first problem is I'd have to run either a 16 or 16.5 wheel, and I dont like 33s on anything bigger than a 15, they look small on a 16.5. So I'd want to run 35x12.50s probably on a 16.5x9.75 with the same style of wheel. So my last thought is if I'm going to be switching axles and wheel/tires... why dont I just slap a set of 6in springs on the truck. My rear springs drive my nuts because they are stock and sag real bad, especially on the left. So I'd like NEW rear springs for towing/hauling, so why not just new front 6in springs too. hehe.

Ok so my question is with going to 6in springs from 4in, would I need get new shocks, steering arm? I know I'd need brake lines, I barely have enough with now. Also how long do you think I'll be happy with this swap? 6in and 35s too big for daily? I've been driving my 77 with 7" and 36s daily tell my 85 is fixed and its not bad, kinda cool

 

[AkMudr]

Also how long do you think I'll be happy with this swap? 6in and 35s too big for daily?

You tell us. Will you be happy with it or wanna go higher?

6"/35's too big..No, My DD has 35's and will have 8" lift pretty soon.



Keep in mind you cannot air down a tire on a 16.5 rim...no bead.

Youc an run 15" rims on 3/4 ton axles, just hafta gow ith 2.75 BS.

 

[sweetk30]

dd should be cool but within reason. that said 4" and 33" with new springs in rear and new rims, or if you find a 14sf from 88-up with 6 lug and correct gears then get frt gears or complet axle to swap in. some light fab needed for 14sf swap but still 6 lug and stronger axle to boot

 

[eclipse]

Well I kinda would like to go slightly higher. My 77 is almost perfect, just a tad tall. I'm 6ft4 and my 85 is the same height and I like tall trucks.

I wouldn't need to air down my tires if I had 16.5s, wouldn't off road much now that I have my 77. Also I want to be able to tow my 77 places. So I'd want my 85 to be rather stout.

 

[rjfguitar]

I would go with a 3/4 ton running gear pair(10B/14BFF) with 4.10 gears, a 6" lift, and 35" tires on some 16" rims.

I am also 6' 4" and drove my K5 daily for about 4 years. when it had a 6" and 33's it was easy to get in and out of still, it was fine. when I went 35's and 10" of lift it was a little tall for getting in and out of after a long day or getting in and out repeatedly.

Remember, you can still use 15" 8 lug rims with a 3/4 ton pair and keep the 4"/33's.

 

[k5redneck]

3/4 ton axles with 4:10 gears and a sm465 is a great combo. one of the blazers that i had was sm465 35's and 3:08 gears. i swaped in a set of 3/4 ton axles with 4:10 and loved it. i think that a stick with 4:10's and 35's is perfict. u could also add a big block for more power

 

[eclipse]

3/4ton axles, 4.10 gears, sm465 and 35s... still decent on the highway? I"d like to close to 2400 rpm at 65.

" i think that a stick with 4:10's and 35's is perfict. u could also add a big block for more power"
hehe my little 350 has plenty of power now with 3.08s, and with 4.10s I think it'll be great


Also what what you guys run on a daily driver.... 16.5x9.75s or 16x10s?
And I"m either thinking of a set of the new Toyo Open Country MTs or Some SSRs

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

I would run neither of those wheels. I'd run 8" wide wheels, since you don't want 15s apparently, I'd go with 16x8s. 16.5s should be avoided like the plague in my opinion. There is no reason to put a 12.50 wide tire on a 10" wide wheel.

 

[sled_dog]

I have you beat, I drove a K5 with 465, 33"s, and 2.73s for about 2 years. If it were me I'd go with 3/4 tons with 4.10s and 35s. Maybe on 4" lift for me though. I miss my K5 a lot and really wish that was the route I took instead of trying to get all hardcore. At this point I have a stock 3/4 ton 89 Suburban that sounds SWEET but doesn't move or crawl, and an S10 blazer that is stock and needs lots of work till its ready to crawl in my mind. It can be a snowball, keep perspective on what you really need or want.

 

[eclipse]

"I have you beat, I drove a K5 with 465, 33"s, and 2.73s for about 2 years."
I'd have to agree on that one

 

[sled_dog]

yeah that just plain sucked. Had to start in Creeper gear no matter what and if i shifted into 4th below about 65 or 70 MPH it would actually LOSE speed as I tried to accelerate in 4th.