Whats wrong with this set up ??

[ntx78k5]

I have a 78 K5 Full time 4X4 I believe thats a 203TF case??
350 4 barel quadrajet
RV cam
Th350
203TF case I believe
D44 Front
Corp 10 bolt rear
342 gears ( I know this is a problem)
4" lift and 35 mud terrains
All I use this for is mud, and my deer lease and occasionaly drive to work.

This isnt a daily driver the Motor and trans were rebuilt seperately about 15K miles ago. I've always been into sports cars this is my first 4X4. Everytime I talk to a hard core 4X4 shop they keep telling me I need to swap out for 1 ton axles, 5:13 gears and a conversion kit for the 203. This truck was never 4X4'ed before I bought it and I am the 3rd owner. The owner before me had it for 2 years and never drove it. If I swap put the gears this thing should be fine ini the mud and light road duty right? All knowledge is appreciated..

 

[icer97]

5:13 seem awful low for just 35's. Id rather upgrade to a 205 then put any money in the 203. Depends on what you want to use it for. Have you broke anything yet? I was always taught dont fix it till it breaks!

 

[dhcomp]

Yep, you'll be alright.

Most people agree that 35's are the largest tire you can put on those axles without too much chance of breakage, but with a heavy right foot you can break a lot with just 33's.


As long as you go easy on it, you'll be fine. Mud is pretty forgiving too.

 

[Executioner]

I have a 78 K5 Full time 4X4 I believe thats a 203TF case??
350 4 barel quadrajet
RV cam
Th350
203TF case I believe
D44 Front
Corp 10 bolt rear
342 gears ( I know this is a problem)
4" lift and 35 mud terrains
All I use this for is mud, and my deer lease and occasionaly drive to work.

This isnt a daily driver the Motor and trans were rebuilt seperately about 15K miles ago. I've always been into sports cars this is my first 4X4. Everytime I talk to a hard core 4X4 shop they keep telling me I need to swap out for 1 ton axles, 5:13 gears and a conversion kit for the 203. This truck was never 4X4'ed before I bought it and I am the 3rd owner. The owner before me had it for 2 years and never drove it. If I swap put the gears this thing should be fine ini the mud and light road duty right? All knowledge is appreciated..

FYI back in 78 the 10 bolt rear was very rare, most likley a 12 bolt.
Also about that time 10 bolts started to show up in the front.
Good ,bad, indifferent, for you application, I would work with what you got.

What are you whating to do, whats you goal ?
If your are going to Hardcore 4 wheeling with it, then build it up.

 

[ntx78k5]

5:13 seem awful low for just 35's. Id rather upgrade to a 205 then put any money in the 203. Depends on what you want to use it for. Have you broke anything yet? I was always taught dont fix it till it breaks!

Nope nothing broke yet. If I upgrade the 205 doesnt that mean I have to change the front hubs? may sound dumb but I know more about motors than I do 4x4 chassis and running gear.

 

[ntx78k5]

Yep, you'll be alright.

Most people agree that 35's are the largest tire you can put on those axles without too much chance of breakage, but with a heavy right foot you can break a lot with just 33's.


As long as you go easy on it, you'll be fine. Mud is pretty forgiving too.

I am easy on it, I have a heavy foot on the street only yet. I like to crawl down the trails and it pulls so well in the mud I barely get over 5-10mph.

 

[icer97]

Nope nothing broke yet. If I upgrade the 205 doesnt that mean I have to change the front hubs? may sound dumb but I know more about motors than I do 4x4 chassis and running gear.

You wont have to change the front hubs, however if you dont have lockouts, id recomend them. You will have to change driveshafts, the 205 I believe is shorter.

 

[4trolls]

I wouldnt change anything for your application

 

[WARP1]

I would want 4.10s, a Lock Rite, axle shafts, and a part time kit. This would be about $850 spent on the 1/2 ton axles. If you never want larger tires and you like your 1/2 ton rims, this would be find. But you might be better off to leave it as is. But, I can never leave anything stock.