Some gear questions

[thirdstreettito]

My 84 K10 has special option 3:42 gears. Because it is a 4x4 shouldn't it be posi? I want to buy new rear gears, I offroad maybe 1 or 2 times a month, nothing deeper than 1ft, if even that deep. Do I need a posi or a locker? Who makes either one in a 3:42 gear for a 10 bolt?

[LONGHAIR]

"4 wheel" drive is a bit of a mis-nomer, all it really means is that has drive axles on both ends of the truck. "Posi-traction" is an option, it does not automatically happen just because the truck is 4 wheel drive.

Gears and posi units are very expensive, plus you have to deal with both ends of the truck when swapping ratios. Then there is the labor cost....this is not a job for an amateur.

[thirdstreettito]

Ah, you misunderstood. No ratios are changing. The truck already has 3:42's, I just want to know if I should get posi or a locker for the rear and who makes one.

I know posi is an option, but I couldn't remember if 4x4's came with it or not.

[mrmojo32]

Yep, 4x4 does not mean posi at all.

I have 3:73's in a 69 that is not posi, and then 3:08's that are posi in my 89. I kinda wish it was the other way around with the 3:73's being posi.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

My 84 K10 has special option 3:42 gears. Because it is a 4x4 shouldn't it be posi?*1 I want to buy new rear gears*2, I offroad maybe 1 or 2 times a month*3, nothing deeper than 1ft, if even that deep. Do I need a posi or a locker? Who makes either one in a 3:42 gear for a 10 bolt?*4

*1: No,it`s an option.

*2: new rear gears or just add an traction aide which has nothing to do with gears?

*3: Have you had it a month,yet?The factory set-up with open diffs will be adequate for what you describe.This set-up works great 95% of the time.

*4: Any traction aide should be available for your rear.ratio doesn`t matter,only carrier series.

Hopefully this helps.

[thirdstreettito]

It helps.

1: Okay

2: Traction Aid? I dont want to change the ratio, I just want both tires spinning on or off road.

3: I haven't had it a month, but I dont go off road but 1 or 2 times a month.

4: What are some companies?

One other thing, should I get a posi or locker? Who makes a good one of either one in a 3:42 ratio?

[msgross]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

It helps.

1: Okay

2: Traction Aid? I dont want to change the ratio, I just want both tires spinning on or off road. IN THIS CASE THEN YOUR TRUCK WILL BE DEAD IN A FEW MONTHS SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT

3: I haven't had it a month, but I dont go off road but 1 or 2 times a month. BUY A "COME-A-LONG" HAND CRANK CABLE WINCH IF YOU GET STUCK THEN

4: What are some companies?

One other thing, should I get a posi or locker? Who makes a good one of either one in a 3:42 ratio? The posi and locker units use your current gears. Setting them up will cost you $$$, if done incorrectly then kiss your axle by by...

Just hang tight with what you have. My first truck was a 79 Blazer with no posi and I only got stuck once, and posi wouldn't have helped me then...

Spinning tires is cool but costs you tires, axles, tranny's and an engine sooner or later. Spinning means no traction which isn't good for off-roading, invest in some good tires and have fun wheeling.

You'll spend $1,000+ to upgrade your axles (posi, locker etc..), is it worth it???? NO...

[thirdstreettito]

Thanks. For tires I have finally decided on some. Hows this?

33X9.5R15
Load Range C
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

I have 29x9.5's now so I dont think the 33's will rub. But if they do it gives me an excuse for a lift kit.

[muddobber]

i hve had good luck out of lockrite lockers for the rear they run just under $300 and replace your spider gears

[msgross]

Remember, larger tires will change your speedo and gearing on the highway, to much change will slow it down.

I like BFG AT's, look for a good used set. I bought mine for $150 for all 4 with 1,000 miles on them. mine are 33x10.5... I wouldn't do 9.5" if you want the "off road" look... why not some nice 31x11.5 (or whatever is the common width)?

I would even look into a knock-off brand to save money.

[thirdstreettito]

My mom bought my brother his first set of tires, she's buying mine too. How would I adjust my speedo for bigger tires? Wouldn't 33's also give me a lower RPM at highway speeds than the 31's?

[dammitmitchell]

well dude bfg's are great in dry conditions (in my opinion) but for some reason here in texas.. (probably the clay dirt) i just cannot get the mud out of the tread while wheeling..
im a procomp and mickey guy myself... and they have "bearable" road noise.
but the bfg's are a good all around tire and are pretty comfortable on the road.
just my 2 cents..
now as for "spinning them off road" i thought i had bullet proofed my rig and now ive been waiting MONTHS for finances to come back up so that i could get my 4WD working again.. i snapped the u joint out on my front axel..
see what happend was i was "showing off" and spinning tires in the mud.. well the rear tires were in mud the front reached a dry spot.. then a huge pop was heard.. and my rear tires.. well they stayed in the mud and the fronts wouldnt move..
soo u can have your fun, but please try to learn from out mistakes =-)
good luck dude

[special-K]

I`m trying to say what you have is fine for what you want to do,like msgross is saying.
I think those 9.50/33s will fit.I ran 12.50/33 on 10' wheels and I just had the spring shop level up the front end an inch or two.I`ve seen those run on stock trucks.That`s a great size for a real truck.I`m thinking of going in a simular direction with my short 4wd.

[thirdstreettito]

So basically what you guys are saying is I should keep my gears(etc) how they are. And it would be also ok to have 33x9.5 BFG's?

One more thing, where can I find a t-case skidplate? I dont have one.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

So basically what you guys are saying is I should keep my gears(etc) how they are. And it would be also ok to have 33x9.5 BFG's?

One more thing, where can I find a t-case skidplate? I dont have one.

yes, you would get a lower RPM on the highway which is good unless it's so low your truck won't make it up hills without downshifting. My S-10 with 31's basically made 5th an extreme Overdrive which could only be used on flat roads.

Your speedo doesn't have to be changed, just know what 55 actually equates to. Use a GPS after you get your new tires for comparison.

I just think the 33x9.5's look scrawny. I went with the 10.5's only because PA makes you keep your tires under the fender lip. 12.5's look best I think...

Hit the JY for skidplates... or the parts board... or make one.

[special-K]

They`re easy to make.I don`t know who sells them now.

[thirdstreettito]

Originally Posted by msgross

yes, you would get a lower RPM on the highway which is good unless it's so low your truck won't make it up hills without downshifting. My S-10 with 31's basically made 5th an extreme Overdrive which could only be used on flat roads.

Your speedo doesn't have to be changed, just know what 55 actually equates to. Use a GPS after you get your new tires for comparison.

I just think the 33x9.5's look scrawny. I went with the 10.5's only because PA makes you keep your tires under the fender lip. 12.5's look best I think...

Hit the JY for skidplates... or the parts board... or make one.

Thanks.

The JY?

I keep wanting to buy a welder, and I keep having more and more reasons to buy one.

[msgross]

the JunkYard

you don't need a welder to build one. A piece of 1/4" plate measured to span your frame rails or connect some crossmembers will do. Then drill holes and bolt it in place. Go look for some scrap and cut it with a saw or torch.

Or just don't bottom out...

[special-K]

You can get fancy and find a place that bends steel.Like a truck body place,as in real work trucks.Or,a welding shop.Draw what you need with measurements and what degree bends and they`ll cut`n`bend it up for a few bucks.I had a diamond plate aluminum (5/16") rear tank skid-plate made.It cost $115 for that: