Senior Summer conversion. 2wd-4wd

[B.A.R.Tillamook OR]

This is my sixty seven short wide 2wd truck. While I really like it and have been driving it around, I really want 4wd. I found a donor truck, but it only has a ten bolt front end? I dont think it will hold up to 35's and very hard wheeling. Opinions? My truck is trailing arm so there is alot of stuff to change up. The truck is in primer now so I plan on doing final paint while the body is off, I think that will be the easiest way to build my drivetrain and paint the frame. My only big decision is axle choice twelve bolt should be decent in the rear, but I have a friend with a nod. iron nine inch and forty four front with 5.13 he is willing to sell so im thinking about that too. My ideal would be those axles with an nv4500 and reduction transfer case on 4 inches with 35's. Couple of pics of truck in progress, Just built grill out of perf. aluminum yesterday. The blinkers are behind the screen. Built the motor my junior year.

[onlyifihadachevy]

i would go with the 9in and 44 but from my understanding the 10bolt and d44 are about the same in strength. And i think you may want a 6in because i have 16/35/16.5 boggers and they rub with some hopping and flex.

[B.A.R.Tillamook OR]

Oh really? I was under the impression that the 44 was stronger but that is just what I hear have no experience with it. Im building it for a sandlake truck so I need alot of clearance so maybe I will pull a six or six with 2 in body for clearance. Are you running a six in lift? 35's rub?

[Chevy1TonFun]

I'd upgrade to 3/4 ton axles if you are going to get all new axles anyway. So get a d44HD (3/4) and a corp. 14 bolt. What size is that motor? I would as add that 5.13 are a little to low for 35s. I go with 4.56 or 4.88 depending on the motor.

[onlyifihadachevy]

Yes, mines a 6in lift maybe 8 and it rubs in back of the front tires with flexing. And my tires are 35in od boggers that are 16in wide.

[dinotruck68]

the 9 would be good but the 44 would be somewhat of a weak point. I would still opt for a 14ff, and if you can find a good cheap d60 dnt waste anytime in takin it.
there are many different opinions on 10bolts and d44's. some people break em on 33's every day and, some people use em with 44's and have no problems.. i would say 35's is a limit for a 44. with hard wheeling and 513 gears are a bit to low for a small tire. Like Ridin High said 4.56 and 4.88's sound about right.
You shouldnt have problems rubbing 35's unless they're really really wide. If you cut the cups off the front fenders you get some extra room to play with and it looks cool to

[B.A.R.Tillamook OR]

I have set of dana sixty disc brake axles out of 2001 ford just was tolf that they are pretty big for my truck and would rob power. Im runnin 465 horse 383 stroker. 200 hp shot sittin in the shop. I think the danas have 4,10's? would that be sufficient with a five speed and thirty fives. Cut the cups off? explain? wanna get some fender flares pretty straight truck not gonna get to wild cuttin but minor stuff maybe

[dinotruck68]

is it leaf sprung?? i know alot of people switch over to a ford frnt 60?? if its from an f250 its probably a d50 not a 60...
If you do go And use the F word axle you would also have to use a drivers side drop tcase. The 465 horses and 4.10's would be good on 35's and a 5 speed but with those few extra gears you can even go lower 456's ?? .. Fender flares not my cup of tea but cutting just the cups of the front actually looks pretty dang good on these truck imo. ; P

[B.A.R.Tillamook OR]

its out of a f-350 work truck. Just checked sterling 10.25 rear and sixty front. And no its trailing arm thats why I have a donor truck for perches and all that jazz but true story with the transfer case, hadn't thought of that jewel of info yet.

[B.A.R.Tillamook OR]

Someone should post a pic of a truck with cups cut off

[msgross]

I would find a 4x4 chassis and stick a 14 bolt and dana 60 under it...

35's and hard wheeling require more than the average dana44, find a set of M1008 CUCV axles with 4.56's and get some leaf mounts from DIY4x4 That's about $1600-1800 right there though.

[sierra4x4]

I think the 10 bolt would be just fine with 35's but it boarderline. I have 36's with a 10 bolt front along with a mild 427 and have seen no problems with it as long as you use good axle joints. you could find a SF14 for the rear it would be a nice upgade from a 12 bolt. The SF14 uses a larger u-joint and is avalible in both 6 and 8 lug axles.

[72blue]

with the $ u will spend on parts for a sf 14 bolt get a ff 14. I did the sf 14 9.5 ring gear and I like it, its not too heavy, and I did not want 8 lug so it was good for me, but you want it 4 hard wheelin and strength then get 60 and 14 ff IMHO.

[B.A.R.Tillamook OR]

whats the diff between sf 14 and ff14?. Guy backed out on donor truck so on the look again. Just to make sure they put nv-4500 behind later model chev small blocks correct? And what would be desirable transfer case? reduction?

[msgross]

NP205 or NP208 would be a good choice for TC's. Are you making a rock crawler? Those guys make a 205/203 combo with major gear reduction.

[B.A.R.Tillamook OR]

No not a crawler just an all around
4x4. Mostly for plain in the dunes.