Axles, what to keep & what to trade?

[eric67m]

My truck is currently 1/2 ton running gear. I got a inexpensive deal on 3 rear axles and one front axle. Two of the rear axles have various problems and I am just going to sell them.

This leaves me with an axle set with mis-matched gear ratios. I am wondering which I should keep and which to trade to make them a complete set.

Front axle - 3/4 ton, corperate 10 bolt, 3.73 gears, open, disk

Rear axle - 3/4 ton, corperate 14 bolt full floater, 4.11 gears, big drum

I currently use my truck for moving things. I have not taken it off road yet and probably will not until I feel more prepared (winch, etc). My axles are currently 3.73 which should be better for gas mileage. I am running 31" tires currently and would not go above 35"s.


I will look locally to trade the undesireable axle to make a set. I am not trying to do that here or now


Which axle would you try to make a set out of?

[shilo]

I dont think i understand you. What undesirable axle are you wanting to get rid of? All i see in your post is you got a set of 3/4 ton with mis matched gears. I would put those in and buy a 4.11 gear set for the front end. Am I missing something?

[eric67m]

Either axle will work. I would like to trade someone a complete axle to make them match numerically. For example trade my corp 10 3.73 front for someone with at Dana 44 or a corp 10 that is 4.11 to match the rear. I figure someone has the opposite axle set as me or a rear that they are looking to change ratios but do not want to rebuild it.

I guess I was looking for what gear ratio should I use on my truck? Or is the Corp 10 less desireable than a dana 44? Which gear ratio is more desireable to use or for resale value?

[chemsearch]

personally, I wouldnt trade a 14 bolt FF rear for love or money, but if you dont really off road and plan on staying with small tires, a 3:73 gear ratio should be fine. Shilo's idea seems good, unless you don't want to dissasemble the axle(s)

[eric67m]

If I were to trade the rear axle, it would be to trade it for someone who has a 14 bolt FF with 3.73 gears to match the front that I have.

So it sounds like 3.73 if Im running smaller tires on or off road and 4.11 if Im planning on running tires over 35"?

[chemsearch]

Pretty much, in a nutshell. It all depends on what you will use the truck for most. If it's going to be mostly street driven, with occasional off-roading, the 3:73 gears should be fine. If you get more into off-roading with much less street driving, then you may decide you want the 4:11's.

[hilbilly]

I'd check the other two rears for 3.73 gears. Hell, if one of them has it, swap those into the 14FF. The sell the other 14FF w/ the 4.10 in it for some good cash.

[eric67m]

Originally Posted by hilbilly

I'd check the other two rears for 3.73 gears. Hell, if one of them has it, swap those into the 14FF. The sell the other 14FF w/ the 4.10 in it for some good cash.

One of my other rear ends is 3.73...... It has the pan held on with 4 bolts and has water in with the oil. When I pulled the cover there were chunks (of thin sheetmetal spacers) living in the bottom. I have never changed a set of gears, but will never get to do it if I dont try. This is also why I have not sold any of my extras yet.

My axles that I have at my house currently are

FRONTS
6 lug,closed knuckle, drum brake, 3.73 gear, Dana 44----on my truck
8 lug, open knuckle, disk brake 3.73, Corperate 10 bolt

REARS
6 lug, 12 bolt rear 3.73----- on my truck
8 lug, corp 14 bolt FF,4.11,big brake,decent shape
8 lug, corp 14 bolt FF,3.73,big brake,loose cover, chunks in pan,gears ok?
8 lug, corp 14 bolt FF,4.11,small brake, one drum siezed, drilled out holders and pounded off drum

(all of the 14 bolts are 3/4 ton spring and wms/wms spacing)

Is the small drum axle anymore worth while other than to run smaller wheels?

Would I be best rebuilding and using the 3.73 rear end?

[hilbilly]

swap 'em then. 14ff is as tough a gear made for a "true" 1 ton rear. You will not find an easier set of gears to do. Matter of fact, setting up a 14ff for your 1st gear experance will spoil you.

[1969K10]

Originally Posted by eric67m

FRONTS
6 lug,closed knuckle, drum brake, 3.73 gear, Dana 44----on my truck
8 lug, open knuckle, disk brake 3.73, Corperate 10 bolt
REARS
6 lug, 12 bolt rear 3.73----- on my truck
8 lug, corp 14 bolt FF,4.11,big brake,decent shape
8 lug, corp 14 bolt FF,3.73,big brake,loose cover, chunks in pan,gears ok?
8 lug, corp 14 bolt FF,4.11,small brake, one drum siezed, drilled out holders and pounded off drum

Based on what you've stated about your use, I'd see if the 3.73's are usable. If so, I would put them in the axle with the 4.11's & put the 8-lug up front to match it.
The D44 vs. C10, both have their strong & weak points. They balance out in the end. But the open/disk front will be nice compared to the closed/ knuckle/drum. I can't wait to get mine swapped!
I have no idea about the small brake C14.