Stick with half-tons or go to 3/4?

[Destructo]

I can't decide if I should just swap axles or re-gear my 1/2 ton axles to 4.56 gears.

I'm not ever going to go over 4" lift on this truck and probably not bigger than 33's It also won't be used for hard-core off-roading, just some mild trail riding once in awhile. And when off-road I have an easy foot. I already bought the open carrier for it to get rid of the gov-loc and buy a lunch-box locker to go in it. Also the biggest and heaviest thing it would be towing would probably be our 18' tri-hull boat with a chevy 250 I6.

This truck is also a Daily Driver so gas mileage is a concern and I would be worried about the extra rotating mass of 3/4 ton axles hurting the gas-mileage. As of right now I can get about 16mph with my Q-Jet and 350 with aluminum intake, headers, and exhaust system.

[Dan72cst]

To me, it sounds like you already decided. You asked for opinions, so you will get all types of answers but if your not breaking half ton running gear than it should be fine. I like half ton for daily drivers because I think they have a nicer ride, milage etc. But it sure it nice to have a three quarter ton when I'm hauling a load or towing a big trailer. Price is always another consideration. If you can find some axels with the gears you want it might be cheaper. All depends on your own situation. Good luck!

[JIMs70GMC]

Keep the 1/2 ton stuff if you're not going over 33s.

[Destructo]

Thats what i'm thinking. Although I may use it to pull another rig behind though, but I don't think I would want to put a 700r4 through all that, would probably go to a sm465 if it was going to be used to pull some heavy weight (4k+ lb vehicle on a flat-bed). I would probably just be better off getting a 3/4 ton truck for that purpose anyway.

So I think i'll go ahead with my plans to re-gear and lock my 12 bolt and then leave the front open and re-gear or find another d44 or 10 bolt to go in front with the right gears.

[ALBATROSS]

I've got 4.56 in my 1/2 ton with 35's and my mileage sucks. And it never sees the highway. I've got a th350. Your mileage seems to be pretty good to me,I'd kill for 16MPG. I live in Ca. Gas cost me 2.20 a gal. for 87 oct. It seems to me your gonna be turnin some RPM's with 33's and 4.56. I'd go with 4.11's The 700r4 is a good tranny, some years are better than others and I can't remember which ones. But if your pulling or hauling a load just keep it in D and don't use OD. JMO

[Destructo]

I'v heard a lot of guys say that 4.10s and 33s are not quite enough and 4.56 gears are better. But I dunno, I haven't really decided yet. My 700r4 is beefed up some with a corvette servo, boost valve, and shift kit, and a B&M 24k lb cooler. So it should handle whatever unless the internal hard parts are too weak. Were not talking about 8k lb loads though, so I think it will be ok.

[Joey-D]

I was originally running stock 3.42 and a 700r4 in the truck with 35s, drove fine off and on road but could use more gear. I kept destroying 700r4s though so I went to a built turbo 350. I does just fine on the highway. Figure with 3.42 and 35 inch tire, I am now about a 2.83 gear, great for highway. If you went with a 4.10 and 33 it would be perfect for everything. My tbi 350 (92 GMC K1500) with hypertech chip, throttle body spacer, KN, and true duals with cats wasn't all that tweaked out and moved it just fine.

[smokkey1]

or atleast swap in an 14ff if your going to be towing cheap insurance.......

[1FaastC10]

go to 3/4 tons, simply for the fact that it will be cheaper. personally, i'm going to be running 36" tires with my 4.10s and no OD. since you said its a DD, and gas milage is a concern, you dont want 4.56s. as smokey stated, the 14FF will be leaps and bounds stronger than your existing 10 bolt.

[Destructo]

Actually have a 12 bolt, but it not really any stronger. The other expense for the 3/4 swap will be wheels, i'll want to find a set of 8 lug wheels that look very similar to mine (black 15x8s with a red ring) I could get white wheels real cheap, but don't want white it wouldn't go with anything on the truck, it has to either be black or chrome (prefer black)

So, who has the best price on black 15x8 wheels in 8 lug form? I paid 155 shipped for my US Wheel 15x8s.

Sounds like 3/4 ton axles will be better either way, i'll probably blast, paint and shave the 14B and of course paint the front axle also, i'm tired of looking at dirty rusty axles under my truck.

[smokkey1]

I just got a set of 16X8 black rock Krawlers last weekend for $54 each at 4wp I pretty sure they cary them in black 15x8 8 lug...

justin

[ALBATROSS]

Yeah, the 14 bolt FF is the way to go. I have 1/2 ton axles with the 4.56 but I got the 14 blt FF in the garage with a 8 lug dana 44(wish it was a 60) for the front. I'm building them up. They got 4.11 I'm not sure if I should keep the 4.11 and th350 or put the 4.56 in and get a 700r4.
Open up any 4 wheel mag and you will find several companys selling the wheels you want.I'm not to sure who has the best price though, they are usually all pretty close in pricing I think. I really like those wheels too. When I put my 3/4 axles in I'll be lookin for new wheels also. It's fun shopping for the truck except the $$$ adds up quick.

[Destructo]

I imagine some 8 lugs will cost more than my 6 lugs, which I just got, but i'll probably use them for a little while longer while I get the 3/4 ton axles rebuilt and fixed up and put disc brakes on the 14 bolt and all that.

I can see now i'm gonna end up spending lots of money on this little project, lol.

[ALBATROSS]

Yeah discs are the only way to go with a 14blt. I'm also putting discs on mine. I 've got the brackets but still have to get all the other stuff to go with it. Its worth it though, I think it drops about 70 lbs off from using the drums. Man those drums are huge. Good luck with your project, mine is kinda at a standstill for the moment but I hope to get back to it soon.

[Destructo]

Only problem i'll need to figure out is the parking brake, i'll need that for sure. Might use a line-lock of some-sort for a brake.

[1FaastC10]

actually, new wheels and the 3/4 axles will probably cost you 1/2 of what regearing one of the 10 bolts will. as for wheels, im not sure if you're gonna be able to find black wheels in 15" and 8 lug. could do what a lot of guys do, by white wheels (which are cheaper anyways) and paint them. dont tell anyone, and they'll never know the difference.

[Destructo]

Regearing BOTH 1/2 ton axles will run me about 515 dollars including gears, gaskets, bearings. Not including fluid or a dial indicator though.

[1FaastC10]

and the axles should cost you about $150, and wheels another $150. dial indicators are not cheap. also, the money you save could be used for the disc conversion you want to do.

FYI, setting up gears is not something for the faint of heart. i've been turning wrenches since i was 12 years old, and i still farm out all my diff and trans work.

[ALBATROSS]

There is a way to retain your emergency brake I believe. You have to use a different caliper I think from a Caddilac El Dorado. There is alot of info on the web about converting to rear disc on 14blt. You should check it out.

[Destructo]

I'm 19 years old and just rebuilt my 700r4 last fall, never even rebuilt a chevy engine (rebuilt a dirt bike). So far the transmission has about 6k miles on it and still running strong with no material in the pan and no burnt fluid.

So as you can tell I have no faint heart. I'm not afraid to dig into something, i'll just get a couple books and go to town. I have what they call natural ability, must come from my dad, he was a mechanic for a few years and was always working on cars as a kid.

Soon as I get my next paycheck (friday after next) i'm gonna go to a few choice junkyards and check some axles out.

[1FaastC10]

is it just me or is anyone else sensing a bit of smart assed-ness in the last post. and no, i never said that was a bad thing.

i seriously think you'll be alot better off with the 3/4 axles if you havent noticed. they're going to be cheaper, but if you think you can do the regear, and want to go that route, by all means, dig in my friend.

[Destructo]

Yeah, I can be a bit of a smart-ass sometimes.

I know I can do the re-gear, but i'm on a budget, so 3/4 tons it will probably be. Plus I won't ever need to be worried about my rear-end breaking again.

[cleatussnow]

I have 35's with 4:11's and the gas milage sucks... About 10 with my foot out of it.. but I have plenty of get up and go if I want it...

Cleatus

[Destructo]

I have 33's and 3.42 gears right now and get 16. Q-Jets rocks! Plus it has headers, exhaust, ignition upgrades, aluminum intake, no emissions other than cats, no A/C, only belts its turning are power steering, pump and alt.

With 4.10 3/4 ton axles I should still get good mileage and shouldn't lose any, may even go up a little bit but I doubt it with the big 14bff.

I have a 350 btw which I don't know what is in it.

[1FaastC10]

Originally posted by cleatussnow
I have 35's with 4:11's and the gas milage sucks... About 10 with my foot out of it.. but I have plenty of get up and go if I want it...

Cleatus

you also have no overdrive... and a 30+ year old drivetrain.