Which Axels?

[78Blazer4x4]

Ok Here's the question. I have my stock 3.08 12 bolt rear end that the axel tubes are bent slightly and leaking from all the seals. Even has a custom weld to stop a crack. The front is a 3.08 10Bolt. I'm running 37" SSL Super Swampers.(I know but nothing has broke on this blazer in the year and a half they have been on there).

I found a shell from a 1990 Suburban V1500 4x4 for $400. (No engine/transmission/transfer) Everything else is in good condition except for the chrome bumpers that are bent to hell. Interior is a little trashed however. The axels on this thing are 3.73 10Bolt Rear 3.73 D44 Front. All of this is stock for the vehicle how ever i did some home work and in 1990 the axels are upgraded to 30spline so It's the same size that is in my 12 bolt. Of course I can steal the rest of the parts for my blazer, to fix all my leaky stuff. Power steering stuff, body parts, doors and what not.

The question is if you were me and don't have a lot of money. Would you buy the burb for $400 and swap the parts? Smaller housing, same size axel that I have now, but a much higher gear than my 3.08s. The only downside that I can see is that the burb has an open rear-end. I'm sure someone would be willing to sell and old locker for cheap.

Hell I'll even take a factory G-80 from someone, better than open.

So what do you think?

 

[78Blazer4x4]

Surely someone has an opinion on this. I'm pretty sure I'm going to swap them b/c My 12 Bolt housing is screwed. I'm just curious of what some other might think about this choice.

 

[BlazerBoyK5]

How long have you been looking? I paid 500 bucks for my non running 3/4ton pickup with a dana 44 front and 14bolt rear. Deals or out there you just got to look. Honestly i would pass and keep looking for some more beef. At least for the rear.

 

[78Blazer4x4]

I've been searching for about two months. The local junk yard here sucks and doesn't seem to have anything you ask them for and anything you find for sale are vehicles that people owe way to much on. Very few parts in and around Cochise county that I can find. I could really use the miscellaneous parts off of the burb as well so I figured I would use the axles.

I really don't mind a 10 bolt but a lot of carnage stories as well as some good wheeling with them.

Thanks for responding Kyle.

 

[BlazerBoyK5]

If you are really wanting to feel a difference you may want to go even lower. You didnt mention what tranny you are running but with that big of a tire i would at least look for 4.10s.

I went from 2.73s to 4.10s and what a difference. Just so you know, i havent ever seen a set of 3/4ton chevy axles have less than 3.73.

As for using the body parts, you could do the same for a pickup couldnt you?

 

[78Blazer4x4]

Tis very true I could use the same body parts from a pickup. I just need to find one. My tranny is TH350 It's brand new and came with the blazer so I figured to run it until it gives, but it does have an extra tranny cooler on it. So someone realized that it would run hot.