1986 C10 LWB with mildly built 350, and a healthy TH400.
The glove box says the rear end is a 2.73.. and going by the article posted on this site and testing it for myself, it definitely is a 2.73.
I do a lot of towing, but nothing heavy. The drivetrain is plenty strong but the 2.73 is killing my take-offs and overall performance. I'm not racing or showing off.. I'm pulling a trailer and I need a little better ratio. I don't particularly care about fuel economy because it's a business expense..
What's your opinion on an overall street gear and what will direct fit into my housing? It's a 10 bolt open carrier. I think I did a search earlier with the bolt patterns and determined it's an 8.5" ring. Does this sound correct?
Would a 3.42 or 3.55 be a good overall ratio? Which one of those is correct for the year 1986? I don't think I want to go more than 3.55. I don't want to go extremely ridiculous or I'll have to put an O/D transmission in.
I have had the rear end apart when changing wheel bearings. I'm familiar with how to take apart and put back together but I've never had the pinion out. I have replaced the oil seal on the pinion. I've had the yoke off but that's about it. How does the pinion come out of the bearing, and how does the bearing come out of the case? Do I need a press or special tools to do this or will a large vice and a shop press do? I need to know if I'm capable of doing this myself before I order a pinion and ring.
Rear end is in the photo.
Opinions please. Thanks.
Mack.
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