What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Time to axle swap my truck but with what

K

KevinL

Registered Member
Joined
May 5, 2008
Posts
63
Reaction score
0
Location
PHoenix, Arizona
Truck is 1985 M1009 6.2 J code Turbo 400 trans

Right now I have the stock 10 bolts with 3.08 gears

I want to stay around 35" tires so the truck will still be drivable on the street/highway

I am looking at going to 3.73 or 4.10 gears

I can afford a Dana 60 and 14 bolt but at 35" tire size would I just make it worse off road always getting hung up on the diffs?

I am thinking either find a 3.73 or 4.10 6 or 8 lug 10 bolt front
and do a 6 or 8 lug SF 14bolt in the rear.

or do I just get A dana 60 & 14bolt ff.

I also need to get crossover steering and it seems alot easier on the Dana 60.

but if can find an older dana 44 with flat top knuckles that would make it easier

I also may switch to a sm465 later to get a decent crawl ratio if that makes a difference

thoughts?
 
just go 60... you'll end up with 37's or 38's in the end anyway... and tho 10's may hold up with 35's, that's taking it easy.. i like to be able to actually use the skinny pedal...
 
i'd say if you want to put in a 14b and a 60, and your concerned enough about gettin hung up on the diffs, your gonna what to up the tire size once the axle swap is done.. you can easily keep the truck drivable on the street with some 38's or 40's if you go crossover with hydro assist.. and if you wanna go sm465 for a better crawl... it sounds like your have the off-road bug already.. this bug is going to fester in your gut and once you do the axle swap, you've already fed th bug too much.. this will result in full hydro steering, 40's, a cage, no doors, steel bumpers, a huge winch, and a eventually a flat bed trailer..

-10 bolts can handle 35's if your not a throttle jockey and remember your driving a truck, not a honda, don't try to smoke the tires unless you wanna do the axle swap that day..
-don't spend money to regear your 10 bolts, you can pull a 44 and 12/14 bolt from a junkyard for cheap with 410's or 456's already in them or get a set of 1 tons from this site probably with 456's and detroits.

-use the search function.. alot of this has been talked about time and time again.. welcome to the site!
 
I just don't know how much the 6.2 is up to the task I would like to be able to do 65 on flat and 45 up big hills. I know I need to regear but I just cant see it turning 40's on the road


I have a duramax for towing, but I go camping at a place that is a hour and a half away that is 30 miles down a screwed up washboarded dirt road. I have driven the duramax down it once and I think that was the last time I will.
 
It's better to "future proof" your truck with heavy duty 1 ton axles, based on your OP and your sig; it looks like your running 35" tires with 3.08s? Your drive train/ engine is obviously different than mine (350 700R4 w/NP241), I have 3.73s with 33" tires and I wish I had 4.10s. With 35s as the default tire on your rig I would suggest 4.56s, it will be a wake up call to your truck:waytogo:
 
There's no reason to waste money "turd polishing" a 10b or d44...

You can always shave the 1 tons... I have 13.75" of clearance under my 14b diff...:D

If you ever decide to go bigger with the tires, you'll be glad you went with the big axles...
 
I vote 8 lug 3/4 ton swap. Most already have 4.10 gears, bigger brakes, and the 14b sf rear is no slouch. The money saved vs buying one tons can go towards stronger axles for the front, lockers for front or rear and minimal ground clearance loss from the rear diff (compared to the 14b ff). No need to do more work like shaving a rear diff or moving spring perches.
 
KevinL said:
I just don't know how much the 6.2 is up to the task I would like to be able to do 65 on flat and 45 up big hills. I know I need to regear but I just cant see it turning 40's on the road


I have a duramax for towing, but I go camping at a place that is a hour and a half away that is 30 miles down a screwed up washboarded dirt road. I have driven the duramax down it once and I think that was the last time I will.
Click to expand...
I have 35's and 5.13 and wouldn't stick anything lower in my truck. I had 4.56's an IMO they sucked!!
 
nsxxtreme said:
I have 35's and 5.13 and wouldn't stick anything lower in my truck. I had 4.56's an IMO they sucked!!
Click to expand...

says the guy with overdrive:D

get the 14b ff/60 now.
60- shave it. throw some new brakes, joints and kingpins in it
14- shave the sh$t out of it. disk it. that will lighten it by 60-70lbs.

do this, and always know that you will not be doing a trail fix because the 14b snapped a shaft, or youre 60 broke the carrier. if you can get the power to them, you will be makin it home.

or atleast get the 14b ff in there so one axle will always get you home
 
496truck said:
I vote 8 lug 3/4 ton swap. Most already have 4.10 gears, bigger brakes, and the 14b sf rear is no slouch. The money saved vs buying one tons can go towards stronger axles for the front, lockers for front or rear and minimal ground clearance loss from the rear diff (compared to the 14b ff). No need to do more work like shaving a rear diff or moving spring perches.
Click to expand...

I'll second this. They are a good DD option. Especially if you want to run anything under 37s and would like to see decent mpgs. About as easy as it gets for an axle swap too.
 
I am leaning towards the 60 & 14 bolt FF.

That way I can have lockers later on and I don't have to Spend money on knuckles or whatever to make crossover work.

I just have not found any that are a good price.

What I need is a K30 w/ SM465 parts truck:whistle:
 
KevinL said:
I have found this on CL. What do you guys think. Price too high?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/2395078839.html
Click to expand...

I might be pampered here in CA but if I were to whip it out and piss in a random direction, it would land on a nicer D44 for cheaper. :haha:

Here is your main and only argument. If you are going crossover FOR SURE, find the D60. If you think you need crossover, this means you will be rockin hard trails and big enough tires. If you don't consider crossover a necessity, that means you could prolly rock 1/2 tons. :waytogo:

Finding a D60 that's in decent shape and at a decent price, is like BEAST said...the kicker. Rock the 1/2 tons till you can afford to BUY and REBUILD 1 tons right.
 
I am sure I could find a dana 44 at the junkyard for cheaper but then I get to lay in the dirt when its 100 out side and fight with rusted u bolts.

I just don't want 42's and with the 14 bolt I feel like thats what I need for decent clearance.

As far as crossover for hardcore trails. This is the first 4wd I have had that flat out doesn't steer when articulated.

Like I said earlier money is not an issue. I just don't need 42's Most of the people I wheel with have stock axles and 33's So why do I need 42's. My Blazer barely fits in the garage with 35's so if I go bigger I have to find a place to store it.

I really don't have a need for bigger axles right now but with a turbo 400 and 3.08 gears it sucks

I found a 60 and a 14 bolt in vegas for $1300 so thats not too bad
 
Last edited:
Doesn't look like a bad axle for your needs. Even has the flat top knuckle that can be machined for x-over in the future.
 
Get a D60 up front. You'll have peace of mind that it will not break on you and leave you stranded somewhere like a 44 might. I've never heard someone regret getting a D60. I"ve heard of people regretting NOT getting a D60 though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom