gm 12 bolt question

[biggsteve97]

I have a Gm 12 bolt in my custom built Chevy half ton. It has 3.73 gears and an Auburn pro series limited slip. It has served me well despite the severe abuse it has been through and still no problems. I built this truck for hauling and have had on average 5,000 lbs of dirt or gravel in the bed. It has seen over 7,000 lbs of stone before and I am surprised it survived especially since I was on the highway going 55mph for most of that trip. Truck was stable but I was very leary about the rear end. I have extra capacity springs and stronger custom crossmembers to support the frame. My question is, Where can I find the specifications for load capactiy and torque input limits for this axle. I am trying to determine if I should continue to use the 12 bolt or finish the build up of the 14 bolt full floater and swap them and use the 12 bolt in the big block blazer.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

The 14 bolt has more support for the loads your carrying in which case gm put bigger axles on the back of heavy duty trucks for a reason. Time to give that 12 a nice home in something else
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[biggsteve97]

Im leaning that way of giving the 12 bolt a new home in the blazer im building. its just that I wish the detroit locker for the 14 bolt wasnt so expensive. Because of that the 14 bolt build has been stalled. I had looked at the lock right lunchbox locker from powertrax but didnt know how that wouldbhold up because ive heard some people say they dont reccomend them in high horsepower or torque applications especially big tires. Granted im only running a 33 in tall tire but with the weight i carry and the 420lb ft of torque i wasnt sure about the lock right.
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[ghettoluxury]

I've never had any problems out of a factory locker unit in a 14 bolt and I put them through alot of abuse.

[biggsteve97]

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

I've never had any problems out of a factory locker unit in a 14 bolt and I put them through alot of abuse.

I wish i had even a factory locker. As of right now the 14 bolt is open and the side gears are chewed up and severely pitted.
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