Keep it 6 lug, or go to 8 lug? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JimmyFloyd · 10-20-2009, 02:24 PM

Ok, got an option here for my truck. Right now I have a 12 bolt open carrier 3:73 and matching disc brake D44 6 lug set in my truck. I also have an Eaton HO52 with No-Spin in my Parts Suburban that is 8 lug. I can get a D44 out of a 74 truck with disc front for $150 including everything. If I did this, I would probably swap the rear to disc as well, which is extra money ($50 for the adapters and then new pads, rotors and calipers from a 75 truck)

Which would be the best route for this? I am wondering cause the truck with the front axle won't be in the yard here for too much longer so I would need to get it now.

Also, would a ford D60 work for the rear?

This truck will be a road driven, with occasional light trail riding.

Thanks

Sinister · 10-20-2009, 03:12 PM

I wouldn't swap to an Eaton. Parts, aside from seals and such are hard to come by. It'll also have 4:10 or higher gears.

70 beast · 10-20-2009, 10:19 PM

parts aren't that bad to find. i just replaced the seal on my hubs and they were only 11 bucks. and they were pretty beefy units. napa carry's the parts if you ever need em, but with more ground clearance that a 14 b ff and removable third, id say go with the eaton. im running a d44/eaton combo and even though the rear has needed some of maintenance (40ish year old work truck rear axle), i know they'll be a great axle combo.
i have a buddy that runs front and rear eatons and swears up and down that the kick a$$

as for the ford 60...i wanna say itll fit but there might be some perch relocation needed apart with some other things.

vtblazer · 10-21-2009, 06:40 AM

What are you hoping to run as a final tire size?

Tire size & usage dictates everything IMO.

**BAD4X4** · 10-21-2009, 08:22 AM

Ford Dana 60's are weak. I would go to a FF14-bolt in the rear. You can use a 1-ton one and they bolt right up, just have to relocate one shock mount. That's my .02

**special-K** · 10-21-2009, 09:01 AM

I just like 8-lugs.But,would be fine with 6-lug on something I wasn`t doing alot to.I think the deciding factor is the front axle.you could always find a 1/2t d44 or 10-bolt for up ront for your disc brakes.I the $150 axle is bolt-in then that`s a great start.i`d use the HO52 because you have it.You can get 14-bolts all day long for cheap.something to consider.Maybe,if I was going to later axles for brake upgrades and parts ease i`d go with the more common axles.

JimmyFloyd · 10-21-2009, 11:04 PM

If I went with 8 lug, I would go with hummer rims and tires.

Going to have to see how this plays out. the eaton will need brakes I know.

10-20-2009, 02:24 PM	#1
JimmyFloyd Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,458	Keep it 6 lug, or go to 8 lug? Ok, got an option here for my truck. Right now I have a 12 bolt open carrier 3:73 and matching disc brake D44 6 lug set in my truck. I also have an Eaton HO52 with No-Spin in my Parts Suburban that is 8 lug. I can get a D44 out of a 74 truck with disc front for $150 including everything. If I did this, I would probably swap the rear to disc as well, which is extra money ($50 for the adapters and then new pads, rotors and calipers from a 75 truck) Which would be the best route for this? I am wondering cause the truck with the front axle won't be in the yard here for too much longer so I would need to get it now. Also, would a ford D60 work for the rear? This truck will be a road driven, with occasional light trail riding. Thanks __________________ 1970 Blazer 350/SM465/205 SOLD! \| 1998 Z3

10-20-2009, 03:12 PM	#2
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Keep it 6 lug, or go to 8 lug? I wouldn't swap to an Eaton. Parts, aside from seals and such are hard to come by. It'll also have 4:10 or higher gears. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

10-20-2009, 10:19 PM	#3
70 beast Certified Hobbiest Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 384	Re: Keep it 6 lug, or go to 8 lug? parts aren't that bad to find. i just replaced the seal on my hubs and they were only 11 bucks. and they were pretty beefy units. napa carry's the parts if you ever need em, but with more ground clearance that a 14 b ff and removable third, id say go with the eaton. im running a d44/eaton combo and even though the rear has needed some of maintenance (40ish year old work truck rear axle), i know they'll be a great axle combo. i have a buddy that runs front and rear eatons and swears up and down that the kick a$$ as for the ford 60...i wanna say itll fit but there might be some perch relocation needed apart with some other things. __________________ my jimmy build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=352536

10-21-2009, 06:40 AM	#4
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: Keep it 6 lug, or go to 8 lug? What are you hoping to run as a final tire size? Tire size & usage dictates everything IMO.

10-21-2009, 08:22 AM	#5
BAD4X4 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: La pine Oregon Posts: 1,668	Re: Keep it 6 lug, or go to 8 lug? Ford Dana 60's are weak. I would go to a FF14-bolt in the rear. You can use a 1-ton one and they bolt right up, just have to relocate one shock mount. That's my .02 __________________ 1972 Cheyenne K-30 6"lift {502 PROJECT} 1972 Cheyenne K-30 8"lift 454 450hp {Ol'Blue} 1972 Cheyenne K-20 Custom Stretch 6" lift 454 1972 Custom Deluxe K-20 4" lift 2007 GMC Crew Cab Diesel 6"lift {The Tow Rig 2017 Ford F-350 Crew Cab 6.7 6"lift (Wife's) 1977 El Camino SS Grandpa baught new 1986 K-30 Crew Cab 502 1955 Chevy 2-Door gasser 454 550hp{project} 1956 Chevy Bel-Air 2-Door hardtop 572 700hp 1979 Ford F-350 All Original 4x4 (Wife's)

10-21-2009, 09:01 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Keep it 6 lug, or go to 8 lug? I just like 8-lugs.But,would be fine with 6-lug on something I wasn`t doing alot to.I think the deciding factor is the front axle.you could always find a 1/2t d44 or 10-bolt for up ront for your disc brakes.I the $150 axle is bolt-in then that`s a great start.i`d use the HO52 because you have it.You can get 14-bolts all day long for cheap.something to consider.Maybe,if I was going to later axles for brake upgrades and parts ease i`d go with the more common axles. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-21-2009, 11:04 PM	#7
JimmyFloyd Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,458	Re: Keep it 6 lug, or go to 8 lug? If I went with 8 lug, I would go with hummer rims and tires. Going to have to see how this plays out. the eaton will need brakes I know. __________________ 1970 Blazer 350/SM465/205 SOLD! \| 1998 Z3



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