4x4 question from a non 4x4 guy...

[OKGMC4]

Please don't tear me apart, I am normally into 2wd stuff but always wanted a 4x4. I'm just trying to understand...wouldn't a 1 ton truck be a better starting point than a 1/2 ton truck? They seem to come with heavier duty parts (axles, trannies, etc). I only ask because I have been looking into getting a 4wd and have looked at an M715 Jeep. If you don't know what these are they are a 1 1/4 ton truck with seriously heavy duty parts. Look up M715 on youtube and you can see one pull out a stuck wrangler and a full size bronco at the same time! Anyhow...if the Jeep deal falls through wouldn't a 1 ton be a better starter truck?

[msgross]

depends what you want to do with the truck, they don't make 1-ton shortbeds... and 1-tons ride very rough due to the stiff suspension

look into M-1008 or M-1024 CUCV's. You can find them on ebay, CL or the govliquidation.com website. great start for a mean 4x4, only downside is the older diesel which most don't like. they have dana60 front axles (Very tough) and 14-bolt rears with a 1 1/4 ton frame.... 4.56 gears and a locker in the rear and plenty of parts available for cheap! www.steelsoldiers.com has a lot of info...

[msgross]

here's a good m715 video... I like how he parades them around!

YouTube- M-715 4x4 In action

[onlyifihadachevy]

If you are going to offroad then a 1 ton would be better for starting than 1/2tons and 3/4tons.

[special-K]

Yes,a 1t is what all 4 wheelers want.There are way more 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks because way more were sold.If they made them today(solid axle that is) they would be off the lot in no time.The military trucks are over rated for some reason.What they call a 1 1/4t is actually a 1t in the civilian world.

[msgross]

by overated you mean the terminology and not the actual truck... for $3000 you can start with a decent K-30 m1008... the axles alone are worth half that...

[71blksuper4x4]

I don't really recommend the m715 jeep either. It may have some big parts on it, but the bigger isn't always better here. The Dana 60's or 70's these have are no where near what a D60 is a 1 ton Chevy. They aren't worth as much, and they have drum brakes. They also are closed knuckled axles. This means more of a pain to work on, and less turning radius. It would be better to start with a 78-91 1 ton Chevy/GMC. Not everyone needs a 1 ton though. Your question is wouldn't a 1 ton be better to start with. Yes and no, yes if you are going to be lifting it with some big meats (37" +) and if you are going to be abusing it. No, if you are just wanting a clean looking maybe somewhat lifted truck that you might occasionally thrash on. Trevor

[special-K]

Originally Posted by msgross

by overated you mean the terminology and not the actual truck... for $3000 you can start with a decent K-30 m1008... the axles alone are worth half that...

I mean they call a 1t a 1 1/4t.It`s just a K/30,not a K/30.25.
Don`t they call the Blazers 3/4t?

When I said "yes,all 4 wheelers want them" I didn`t mean every 4wd owner.I meant for 4 wheeling...as for an off road recreational use vehicle.Otherwise,what 71blksuper4x4 said rings true.What red-blooded 4wd nut wouldn`t want that wipy ittle short bed he has? (Trevor knows I`m kidding)

BTW,we don`t bash here and that wasn`t even a stupid question you asked anyway.Don`t you have any stupid ones? Let me correct myself,when someone does bash they get warned.When they don`t listen and continue we send them,tail between their legs,running back to their immature buddies on those other sites to tell them to not even bother registering here.We`re justa buncha nice guys here that like to help.

[OKGMC4]

BTW,we don`t bash here and that wasn`t even a stupid question you asked anyway.Don`t you have any stupid ones? Let me correct myself,when someone does bash they get warned.When they don`t listen and continue we send them,tail between their legs,running back to their immature buddies on those other sites to tell them to not even bother registering here.We`re justa buncha nice guys here that like to help.[/QUOTE]

I appreciate the advice. I just don't know squat about 4wd. When people start spouting off tcase numbers and different axle types I get all dizzy. I looked at the m1008 trucks and that does seem like a much better deal than the M715. (parts availability, brakes, etc) I also discovered the M880 Dodge trucks and they also seem like a better possible candidate. Last night my dad called and said he found a 1973 power wagon crew cab 3/4 ton 4wd in a farm pasture for FREE, just have to go get it. Price is right but I'd almost rather spend money on a truck that runs than take a basket case I know nothing about. Not sure what to do, too many options!

[71blksuper4x4]

Tim, you got a lil swb too .

If I was you, drag home that free power wagon and part it out, atleast that would give you more money to persue what you want. Trevor

[Lonnies Performance]

Keep in mind if you do not want to beat on it, a 1/2 ton is OK.... but you will break driveline parts if you start wheeling it hard with big tires. If you want a mall cruiser, then by all means a 1/2 ton will be fine, plus it will be lighter, get better mileage etc.

If you want to pull a trailer, you will definitely like the bigger 3/4 & 1 ton brakes.

As for comparing a 3/4 & 1 ton, do not pass up a nice 3/4... you can buy a nice D60 for about $1K or less & the rears are the same.

Watch for the light duty 3/4 tons, which have a non-floating rear axle, that is less desirable.

As stated above, the military vehicles are nice as they already have the D60, posi & also 4.56's. Great gear for 35" & larger tires.

All depends what you want.

[BIGphillip79]

For a first 4x4, why start so big. My first 4by was way too big and it was a 1/2ton. 80 Dodge power wagon, extended cab longbed with a 440. The best I had was a 93 Isuzu Amigo. I put a 3 inch lift and with some trimming fit 33s on it. The thing was like new when I got it with AC. I only paid $2400 for it. Even though it had IFS I could go anywhere the jeep guys would go. Of course we don't have any hardcore trails here. I would run circles around all the big lifted Fullsize trucks at the local mudpit. Funny how everyone with a big-ass ford thinks its a bogging truck, its kind a how everyone with a mustang thinks he has a race car.

You be surprised, especially never having a 4x4, how capable a rig can be. You don't have to have a beast to have fun. Look at S-10 blazers, Cherokees, GEO trackers, and Troopers. Tacomas are great too. Rigs like this are hella cheap and easy to maintain. Parts are easy to get.

[Tex_50613]

in mud heavy is not always better, although heavy duty usually is if that makes sence, I'm running the biggest and heavest rig (that is at every run) in our truck club and I go through all the little trucks do but it takes more to do so, and mine is only a 3/4 ton long box, I'm still abusing the "Whimpy" dana 44 front axel with my 38.5" Swampers and haven't broken a shaft yet after 4+years and other than the new trussed axel housing after bending the original I haven't had problems with it, I'v done the tugline like in that video with 3 trucks behind me, all out of the hole and back to the "Pits" it's a tracton thing and knowing how to drive not that it's a heavy truck

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Tim, you got a lil swb too .

...with one ton axles planned little feller. But,leaning more now towards beefing up the K/2500 and keeping the short bed a mildly lifted runabout...with 3/4t axles!!! Mostly to keep all trucks 8-lug and to have a full floater.

I`ve run 14.50/37s on Dana44 front axles trucks for years.I`ve broken alot of stuff,too.But,prolly due to a worn part.If that outer stub axle isn`t held centered in vertical and horizontal plane it`s busted u-joint time.Yoke,too,unless you`re lucky.The same can happen to a Dana60,though.If I was building for 4 wheelin`I`d go beefy and be done,rather than go through all the progressions.That`s just me.I had cash for a Sportster or 1/2 for a Big Twin.I went with what I really wanted and still enjoy that same bike 20 years later.If you think you want a 1t drivetrain,do it.

[Lonnies Performance]

My thought is 1 broken part often offsets the savings of the initial investment, plus the aggravation of the repair.

I broke too many d44 fronts & 12 bolt rears (obviously the built 427 with 35" tires caused a lot of it), but I only want the D60 & 14 bolts now.

[msgross]

Lonnies Performance, please refer to the board rules pertaining to selling... You must be a pid subscriber to offer items for sale on the board, then only in the classifieds.