1 tons or not

[JAKA]

Trying to decide if I want to swap out the axles on my 83 k10.This is my daily driver and I really don't do any major wheelin' with it.As of right now it's stock suspension with 32x11.50x15 tires on some 15x10 mickey thompson classic II look alikes.I'm wanting to run some 35s and no bigger.Ihave a 4" lift to go under it and I have the D60 & 14bolt which are 4.10. If i stay with 1/2 ton or go 1 ton I still want to regear to 4.56. I've got stock 350 TBI 700 trans and 208 transfer.Any input,pros-cons or opinions would be appreciated. THANKS

[Chevy1TonFun]

I see no reason to use the 1 ton axles. The only reason to use those axles are for hardcore wheeling or big tires. Your 1/2t axles will work perfectly for your application and uses.

[Beersnob]

I agree. With one ton axles and only running 35s, if you do want to go wheeling, your clearance is going to suck. I wouldn't run anything smaller than a 38 with a D60/14 bolt combo. Your stock axles will be just fine.

[76stepsidechevy]

Im running 35s on a 44/12 and im doing fine so far. It's mostly street driven but its a 4 speed and im not exactly easy on it. 12 bolt was a fresh rebuild with an eaton posi before the 35s went on it too.

[SunSoaked]

You will have the cool factor and bragging rights. I'm doing the swap myself but they were free....and I'm a jones-go figure

[Mike C]

On the road, there is no issue with the 44. If you have an auto, the 12 bolt should be OK to 35's easy. Not so much with a 4 speed in my experience. Just upgrade to a 6 lug semi-float 14 if you break the 12 and don't look back.

[obijuan]

Ego strokes, use the 14 bolt you have and sell the 60 to refresh rebuild whatever an 8 lug front.
You can throw an extra 400 pounds in the bed to make it feel like its got a 60.

[74 shortbed 406]

I have destroyed 10 bolts and 12 bolts with factory motor and 33's. Eithr throw in the good axles, or spend money and get good parts for the others.

[76stepsidechevy]

Whats breaks in the 12 bolt ?

[74 shortbed 406]

In the 12 bolt I broke the spiders, cured with locker, then broke axle, replaced with new axle, broke again(factory motor, sm465 tranny, had origially 235/75/15, ended with 33/12.5/15). But I have a friend with 12 bolt and 44 on 35's, he has broken spiders, but never broke axle. Tue 12 bolt is a decent and can be built pretty good. But will never be a 14 b. And they have shave kits out to shave almost 2 inches off of 14b for more ground clearance.Broke spiders while in 2wd on dry ground, backing up hill to shed. Put in 14 bff and dana 44. Sold truck, now have 14 bff and 44 again. Haven't broke these yet.

[andrewmp6]

I would build a shaved 14 bolt for the rear and wait tell something in the front breaks.

[Beersnob]

Originally Posted by 76stepsidechevy

Whats breaks in the 12 bolt ?

I've seen a few times that guys will lose axles when they break one. The 12 bolt axles are held in by C-clips, when you break an axle, there's nothing holding it into the housing and it will come out. It's quite a sight to see a wheel and tire rolling down the road, still attached to an axle shaft.

[jjzepplin]

Never had anything go wrong with either the 14 or the dana60. I did the swap with new aluminum wheels and 10ply 36" Swampers. Trying to cure a wandering all over the road problem. Had steel spokes and 36" Cepeks and 12blt and 44. That thing was dangerous. After the swap...handled better than my 66 Chevelle and the tires were lovin those 4.10's. Just sayin.

[andrewmp6]

Most axles that have c clips they sell a c clip eliminator but some of those will leak at the axle seals.

[classicgm]

It would be a step in the wrong direction. The d60 is 400lbs heavier than the d44. You'll loose half a second in the quarter with just that! Also, if you ever do go offroad, you'll get stuck everywhere because the differentials hang a few inches lower. Ask me how I kknow One tons are only good for 39.5 and up (and bench racing talk).
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[odog]

Unless you are hauling a heavy load, or bigger tires I would stay with the 1/2 tons. I was hauling a load of wood down from the hills and broke a C-clip and my axle and tire ditched me. Also broke a shaft and lost a bearing in the damn thing. I just overloaded it, but the point is its not really ment to be worked super hard, in my opinion. Now I have a 14BFF and a 44 upfront.

[Redcap]

Since it is mostly a street queen on 35" tires, upgrading to a D60/14bFF is a waste of time and money. If you plan on wheeling it hard or stepping up to 37"+ tires, then consider it.

[SunSoaked]

[QUOTE=classicgm;5435558] The d60 is 400lbs heavier than the d44.

I'm finding that hard to believe. I have been in the process of swapping a d60 in place of my 44 and its not that much heavier. In fact I man handled them both today.

[Beersnob]

According to the Dana 60 Bible on Pirate, the Dana 60 weighs around 518 lbs. I'm not sure of the Dana 44, but I've read anywhere from 325-365 lbs.

[Mr. 250r]

I had close to the same setup except i had 4.10s, 4l80e/np241 and 38.5s and drove with a stupid foot and never broke the stock 10 bolt front axle wish i never swapped in a D60 this death wobble is so annoying stick with stock axles lol

[jjzepplin]

Wow. You got to love being stopped by nothing but those oversize big 1 ton brakes.. Death wobble? Got a stabilizer? I can't see what you guys are sayin. For me --I will never go back. My 1 ton beast will kick butt for a lot longer than your 1\2 ton because it is twice the machine. Bigger is better! NO DOUBT! Been through the RUBICON 7 times and pulled many Jeeps and Fords thru. ( I admit one guy with a Jeep helped me once..But he had a 14bltff and a d60) GO figure!

[74 shortbed 406]

Go with the big guys, you will never have to mess with them again if they are in good shape.

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by Mr. 250r

I had close to the same setup except i had 4.10s, 4l80e/np241 and 38.5s and drove with a stupid foot and never broke the stock 10 bolt front axle wish i never swapped in a D60 this death wobble is so annoying stick with stock axles lol

You are doing it wrong.

[Mr. 250r]

If by doing it wrong you mean not breaking the axle you are wrong
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[Beersnob]

I think he's referring to your death wobble. If you've got death wobble from an axle swap, there is something wrong with your setup.