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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 4 Wheel Drives => Topic started by: gman6762 on September 16, 2012, 10:46:49 pm

Title: what axle should i use
Post by: gman6762 on September 16, 2012, 10:46:49 pm

this is a 1979 Chevy stepside with a 350 trans and 400 small block bored 30 over its making mad hp but it breaking axle and i need to no witch one i need to use it has a 6 lug that sucks.(I'm also running 40 inch tires)

Title: Re: what axle should i use
Post by: Blazin on September 16, 2012, 11:32:22 pm

FF 14 bolt, and a Dana 60.

Title: Re: what axle should i use
Post by: Sartobuilt on September 17, 2012, 10:17:57 am

X2 on what Blazin said, I've suggested that to alot of people over the years. But that is a large expense, axles, wheels, tires and drive shafts. You can upgrade what you have but it will be a band-aid.
What do you have now a 10 or 12 bolt. Upgrading to a 12 bolt will help some, and and still be 6 lug.
There is a 14 bolt 9.5 used in heavy half trucks that is a 6 lug. What kind of locker are you using, if it's a mechanical locker that adds alot of shock to the axles. If you used a Eaton clutch style posi that will take some shock out of the drivetrain.
Also too throttle control can add alot of life to an axle. What are you doing when you break axles. I had a customer years age that had a 1/2 ton 10 bolt 35" tires. I repaired the axle for him many times. We counted how many times he blew it up it was like 10 times. He liked to test his posi by pulling off the road with one tire in the dirt and one on the road and do burnouts. He thought it was cool. He finally grew up and I installed a 12 bolt and never had another problem. Looking back now with all the money spent he could have a nice set of 2.5ton military axles.

Title: Re: what axle should i use
Post by: gman6762 on September 18, 2012, 09:29:54 pm

thanks blazin and yea its a 10 bolt with hardened
 axles..

Title: Re: what axle should i use
Post by: gman6762 on September 18, 2012, 09:31:41 pm

i was in a deep mud hole and its just popped and their mechanical lockers

Title: Re: what axle should i use
Post by: ehjorten on September 19, 2012, 09:51:05 am

A 10-bolt with 40" tires is just never going to survive that kind of abuse!

Title: Re: what axle should i use
Post by: bluecrew on September 19, 2012, 08:34:26 pm

40's with power?  One ton that rig and you'll never look back again.  Like stated earlier, 14 FF, and a Dana 60 front.  Not many folks have broken a 14 FF...  I hear the rear Dana 60's are supposed to be just as strong, but I know guys who've busted several rear 60's, but are on their first 14FF, still...  just saying...

Title: Re: what axle should i use
Post by: gman6762 on September 30, 2012, 07:46:18 pm

yea thats what im thinking of going to that for the post everyone.