Will my axles be tough enough? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67chevy2wd · 01-08-2010, 12:04 AM

I bought a 72 gmc 1/2 ton chassis a while ago. I plan to use it under my 69 chevy. I never even thought about it when I bought it but now I was thinking I would rather have a 3/4 setup. Are the frames the same? Also how much will the axles hold up to as far as power and tire size?

bikes&bowties · 01-08-2010, 01:16 AM

If you are only doing mild offroad most people would agree that 35's are about the biggest you would want to go before having to much force on the axles.... Not sure if force is the right word though but I think you get the point.

Burt4x4 · 01-08-2010, 10:51 AM

Ya the bigger question is what will the truck be used for? Daly driving, mud, rocks, all, etc...
From 1/2ton the real upgrade is to 1ton if you plan on wheelin with bigger tires than 35" and/or installing a hot engine

67chevy2wd · 01-08-2010, 10:56 AM

It would be more of a mud/snow truck. Not really much rock climbing around here. As far as a drive train plans are for a duramax allison combo someday when I can afford it all, but for now I think a mild 350 is what I will install. I will probably just run the 1/2 ton axles until I have the money to upgrade.

Wildstreak · 01-08-2010, 11:03 AM

That what I was gonna do as well. I figure I will worry about upgrades when stuff starts breaking lol

67chevy2wd · 01-08-2010, 11:35 AM

Is a 1/2 ton dana 44 the same as a dana 44 in a 3/4 ton except for the bolt pattern? Or did the 3/4 tons come with a different front axle?

**71blksuper4x4** · 01-08-2010, 11:37 AM

The Dana 44 is the same for 1/2 and 3/4, except the required hub changes for the lug differences. They will hold up well, but once you start putting some serious muscle to ground, it will be expected to go 1 ton, or bigger. Trevor

01-08-2010, 12:04 AM	#1
67chevy2wd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Salem, ND Posts: 1,558	Will my axles be tough enough? I bought a 72 gmc 1/2 ton chassis a while ago. I plan to use it under my 69 chevy. I never even thought about it when I bought it but now I was thinking I would rather have a 3/4 setup. Are the frames the same? Also how much will the axles hold up to as far as power and tire size? __________________ 07 Chevy classic LBZ Duramax (a few mods) '67 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (in pieces) '69 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (on hold) '71 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 ‘71 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd suburban

01-08-2010, 01:16 AM	#2
bikes&bowties Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 663	Re: Will my axles be tough enough? If you are only doing mild offroad most people would agree that 35's are about the biggest you would want to go before having to much force on the axles.... Not sure if force is the right word though but I think you get the point.

01-08-2010, 10:51 AM	#3
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: Will my axles be tough enough? Ya the bigger question is what will the truck be used for? Daly driving, mud, rocks, all, etc... From 1/2ton the real upgrade is to 1ton if you plan on wheelin with bigger tires than 35" and/or installing a hot engine __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks

01-08-2010, 10:56 AM	#4
67chevy2wd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Salem, ND Posts: 1,558	Re: Will my axles be tough enough? It would be more of a mud/snow truck. Not really much rock climbing around here. As far as a drive train plans are for a duramax allison combo someday when I can afford it all, but for now I think a mild 350 is what I will install. I will probably just run the 1/2 ton axles until I have the money to upgrade. __________________ 07 Chevy classic LBZ Duramax (a few mods) '67 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (in pieces) '69 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (on hold) '71 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 ‘71 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd suburban

01-08-2010, 11:03 AM	#5
Wildstreak "something witty here" Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salmo, B.C, Canada Posts: 966	Re: Will my axles be tough enough? That what I was gonna do as well. I figure I will worry about upgrades when stuff starts breaking lol __________________ 57 chevy 4x4 70 swb fleetside 4x4 68 burb 2wd: 71 burb 2wd: 350 4spd 71 lwb fleetside 4x4: 350/sm465/205/3.07 eaton posi rear 72 lwb fleetside Cheyenne 454/th400 1991 GMC V3500 CC 4x4

01-08-2010, 11:35 AM	#6
67chevy2wd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Salem, ND Posts: 1,558	Re: Will my axles be tough enough? Is a 1/2 ton dana 44 the same as a dana 44 in a 3/4 ton except for the bolt pattern? Or did the 3/4 tons come with a different front axle? __________________ 07 Chevy classic LBZ Duramax (a few mods) '67 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (in pieces) '69 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (on hold) '71 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 ‘71 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd suburban

01-08-2010, 11:37 AM	#7
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,155	Re: Will my axles be tough enough? The Dana 44 is the same for 1/2 and 3/4, except the required hub changes for the lug differences. They will hold up well, but once you start putting some serious muscle to ground, it will be expected to go 1 ton, or bigger. Trevor __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever Last edited by 71blksuper4x4; 01-08-2010 at 11:39 AM.



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