1969 C50 4x4 Axle Swap?

[txagincali]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

maybe a even better option is the f450 and f550 axle as there a tad wider and much bigger parts over the f250 and f350 axle . then do a matched pair of axles and be done with it . and at the same time it gets you much closer to the gvw weight spec of th axle as the truck will be so you wont be hurting it as much . also gets you 19.5" rims and tires at the same time .

Thanks k30 for the suggestion.

I had looked at the F450/550 route but the main issues I had with those for my build (being under a suburban):

1. You wind up with the 10 lug bolt pattern and then have to run commercial wheels/tires or get a turned down 22.5" rim to 22" which allows slightly more variation in tire selection. Or an insanely expensive aftermarket set

2. It does have a wider front axle track (2011 F450 DRW = 74.8" vs 2011 F350 68.3") but I'd like to maintain an 8 lug bolt pattern (whether 8x6.5 or 8x170 etc) but with having a deeper (more negative) offset will help allow for the lack of width the F350 axle provides.

Other than adding in the suburban body and a Duramax/Allison, the weight of the truck will be well down from its original >9,000 and GVWR of 15000 won't ever be touched.

Do you think running an F350 axle in general is too weak for this truck's weight to handle? A 2004 F350 ranged from 5400-6900 lbs with GVWR 9900-11000.