SirRobyn0
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2019
- Posts
- 6,755
- Reaction score
- 11,402
- Location
- In the woods in Western Washington
- First Name
- Rob
- Truck Year
- 1984
- Truck Model
- C20
- Engine Size
- 305
My truck is a 1984 C20, with the semi-float 14B. It is verified as currently geared a 3.41.
I have an 18 foot open trailer that is often grossing around 5-6K. I live in a hilly area, with two mountain passes to the east of me and one to the south. I tow over two of them on occasion. The truck has the 350 with 700R4 and before you ask, yes I have a huge cooler and trans temp gauge. The 350 is pretty much stock, and is a healthy.
I've about made my mind up to re-gear to a 4.56. I know that's a pretty big change, but not to long ago I had a motorhome the 727 in it and a 4.56 rear end. I had that thing for 10 years and on a three speed that low rear end did limit it to about 60 - 65max. but with the over drive in the truck I figure I should be able keep up with the 70 MPH speed limit, not when towing and loaded of course, but when empty. While I would welcome comments on that it is not my main question.
Honestly I really like to go to the full floater, but that's not in the cards right now. It's to much time and money, both in getting the used unit and rebuilding it before install. Right now either this weekend or next I'm going to do some work on the fuel system and add a second tank since this truck only came with one, obviously that costs money.
So the solution I've come to is to re-gear the existing rear end. This is where I could really use the help. Most of you probably already know that I'm mechanic, but all though my carrier, I've either either had a guy at the shop, or another shop nearby with a guy that did this sort of work. Look I change, axles, axle bearings, seals, carrier stuff, about the only thing I currently send out is actual ring and pinion work. So if any of you guys would be interested in schooling me, or encouraging or discouraging me from tackling this I'd appreciate the input. Thanks.
I have an 18 foot open trailer that is often grossing around 5-6K. I live in a hilly area, with two mountain passes to the east of me and one to the south. I tow over two of them on occasion. The truck has the 350 with 700R4 and before you ask, yes I have a huge cooler and trans temp gauge. The 350 is pretty much stock, and is a healthy.
I've about made my mind up to re-gear to a 4.56. I know that's a pretty big change, but not to long ago I had a motorhome the 727 in it and a 4.56 rear end. I had that thing for 10 years and on a three speed that low rear end did limit it to about 60 - 65max. but with the over drive in the truck I figure I should be able keep up with the 70 MPH speed limit, not when towing and loaded of course, but when empty. While I would welcome comments on that it is not my main question.
Honestly I really like to go to the full floater, but that's not in the cards right now. It's to much time and money, both in getting the used unit and rebuilding it before install. Right now either this weekend or next I'm going to do some work on the fuel system and add a second tank since this truck only came with one, obviously that costs money.
So the solution I've come to is to re-gear the existing rear end. This is where I could really use the help. Most of you probably already know that I'm mechanic, but all though my carrier, I've either either had a guy at the shop, or another shop nearby with a guy that did this sort of work. Look I change, axles, axle bearings, seals, carrier stuff, about the only thing I currently send out is actual ring and pinion work. So if any of you guys would be interested in schooling me, or encouraging or discouraging me from tackling this I'd appreciate the input. Thanks.