4x4 front axle

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78 Jimmy 2WD

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I would be interested in purchasing front axle w/4.10/4.11 gears & disc brakes for 87&earlier.
THANX
 

dvdswan

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Is this for your 2WD Jimmy?
 

78 Jimmy 2WD

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No, no, for my 64 Suburban factory 4x4.
 

Charlie

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:welcome:
 

SquareRoot

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Where you at? I have a set of freshly rebuilt axles I just took out of my 85 K20. New disc brakes, 4:10 gears. 8 lug.
 

dvdswan

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I would think there would be a few junkyards around you that have 1/2T axles. Most j/ys sell axles from 125 to 175 depending on area that I've found. I would image finding one were the diff cover wasn't removed would be in decent shape inside then thrown on new bearings, rotors, etc and you would have a nice set. If your not looking for a D60, axles are pretty decently priced.
 

idahovette

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K-20 with 4.10 and do a changeover with 1/2 ton rotors plate and brakes?
 

dvdswan

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What ratio are you looking for? If you're looking for a 3.73, Blazers and Suburban were pretty common with that ratio until I think 80ish.
 

78 Jimmy 2WD

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Brakes are my main goal. GM in their infinite wisdom when they started factory 4x4s took the skinny rear drum system and put it on the front along w/adding about 800 lb. Terrible math for braking. I have had this suburban 43 years and have run Velvetouch full metallic lining in order to makeup for the inadequate factory system. Every once in a while, I get motivated to look for a replacement front axle. I am running some 70s hardware on the front so I am reasonably sure I'm looking at a bolt-in w/few if any mods. That said, if anyone can point me to a more cost effective way to improve braking or adapt discs to my current axle, I'm listening.
 

dvdswan

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What axle is in the front? If its an early Dana 44 you should be able to buy the knuckles out and swap to a disc brake set up. If you have the factory axle in the rear you could find a better stronger axle and update those brakes as well.

GMT800s HD 1/2T and LD 3/4T trucks have a GM 14 bolt semi-float axle which are six lug.

Have you replaced any of the rubber brake lines? As those age they will expand with brake pressure and diminish the pressure to the drums and calipers reducing braking abilities.
 

78 Jimmy 2WD

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The existing front axle is whatever GM used at the time. The burb has been in storage for the last several years, but the issue has always been there. Just in case you missed earlier I have had this for 43 years. Unless I am wrong 1 more time GMT800s are the body style after square bodies and have an entirely different suspension. All Gm 4x4s prior to 87 have similar suspension as far as I remember. If you ever get a chance to look at the brakes on a 2wd 60-66 1/2 ton, look at the rear drums/shoes in relation to the front. The problem will be clear.
 

Craig 85

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Was Napco still building the 4x4 conversions for GM then?
 

bucket

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The stock front axle is probably a closed knuckle setup, making an axle swap about the easiest thing to do for better front brakes.

6 lug with 4.10 is a tough combo to find. If you don't want to regear an axle, you will need to find one that's already been done. Or get an axle from a K20 with 4.10 and also pick up a nearly worthless 3.08 geared 6-lugger to steal all the parts needed to convert the K20 axle to 6 lug.
 

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