3/4 ton axles or detroits front and rear?

[Kapdin]

Ok so i need to slow my roll a bit on my spending spree and was wondering if you guys could steer me the right way for now.... I keep reading how my 1/2 ton should get a set of 3/4 ton axles. But in retro spec this truck prolli wont ever have more than 200 ponies if that. So my question, should i put my money into a rear locker and lsd front? Its gm10 bolt front and gm12 bolt rear.....Stong enough? Or will i regret it someday?

 

[warrpath4x4]

what size tires? what will you be doing with it?

ive seen a tired old 318 snap multiple rockwell shafts, of course he was running 46" tires in rocks.

 

[Kapdin]

O lol yea should have said, Well its actualy "to be determined" but no less than 33"s would like 35"s with a 4" lift but you guys can steer me either way.

 

[Kapdin]

And some more info, Im not going to abuse this truck beings that its kinda a family "airloom" but its going to get a workout come winter and a little off roading but nothing stupid. I do plan on finding a k20/k30 crew in the future and abuse that but not so much this one.

 

[warrpath4x4]

detroits are nice but spendy, you can probably find a good set of 3/4 ton axles for cheap, lincoln lock the rear, and through a detroit front or a lunch box locker in the front for the same price as 2 new detroits and be that much farther ahead. But you should put new u-bolts on anytime you remove a u-bolt so add that to your cost.

 

[crazy4offroad]

I would start with 3/4 ton axles. I know the 1/2 ton 10 bolt front will be the same as the 3/4 ton 10 bolt except the 8-lug outers, but you will be more successful in having matching gear ratios that are more in line with the tire size you're wanting to run, 4.10s ideally. Then sell your old axles to help start the fundage for lockers!!

 

[Kapdin]

Hummm, well i read and did HRPC tread on calculating gear ratio's and i have 4.10/4.11s now and if 3/4 have 10bolt..... still worth it? But now that you say 8-lug..... we have about 3 sets of 8-lug rims and tires from all the farm trucks around here..... would the bolt on? Im talking 2002 and up rims thos.

 

[warrpath4x4]

if your gonna be using it for winter use id suggest a selectable locker or no locker at all. lockers are squirrely on snow and ice.

 

[warrpath4x4]

Hummm, well i read and did HRPC tread on calculating gear ratio's and i have 4.10/4.11s now and if 3/4 have 10bolt..... still worth it? But now that you say 8-lug..... we have about 3 sets of 8-lug rims and tires from all the farm trucks around here..... would the bolt on? Im talking 2002 and up rims thos.

ford, chevy, or dodge?

i put 04 chevy wheels on my 78 chevy, ford i know changed somewhere around there.

 

[Kapdin]

So i should go junkyard hoppin and see wat i find first. Can you guys give me a visual on how to find wat i want. I hear d44 front and 14bff rear but have no clue how to pick them out. Or wat years to look at.

 

[Kapdin]

All chevy's

 

[warrpath4x4]

http://coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

 

[Swims350]

I would run what ya got since you don't sound like you're gonna be hardcore. sounds like a daily driver to me.

If I was going to spend any money, then upgrade the axles. THEN you can worry about locking them.

 

[Kapdin]

ill see wat i can find and for wat price around here and go from there. But while im lookin, can i just find another set of leafsprings and add them and maybe get an in. or two lift?

 

[Kapdin]

Hey guys, i got a guy at work here that has a 77 k30 camper special with a running 454.........buuuuuuut the catch is IT STINKS..... and not an understatement. It was used at a rendering plant.......it has a truck box and a tommy lift. Id snag it cus they just taking it to the scrap heap but fuggggggg it stinks. Anyways would that have the axles i want? Also, im sure its been beat on since day one.... i think ill scrap that idea.