gears or axles?

[78shortandwide]

Wondering if it would be better to get lower gears for the 1/2 ton axles i have, or just get some 3/4 ton axles with lower gears in them already.

 

[bucket]

What do you plan to do with the truck? What is your current gear/tire combo?

 

[crazy4offroad]

The 3/4 ton front axle from 76(?) and up is the same as the 1/2 ton, except 8-lug. Corporate 10-bolt. As stated above it all depends on what you're wanting to do with the truck, Big tires, hardcore offroading, do axles AND gears. Big-ish tires, and still streetable you may get by with just gears. All depends on the size tires and what your plans are.

 

[78shortandwide]

I have a Dana 44 and a 12 bolt with 3.73 gears and 35 s I want to get 38 s and a locker for the back axle

 

[crazy4offroad]

If you plan on wheelin it hard you'll want to upgrade axles as well. Compare these D44 components to D60 (courtesy of here):

As for gearing 4.56 may be perfect if you plan on sticking with 38s. I have 5.13s and they seem a wee bit low with my 38s but I plan on going bigger in the future. You can use this gear ratio calculator to estimate your speeds and rpms depending on your tire size, gear ratio, trans and t-case...
http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html
The second column is for side-by-side comparison of a different setup, be it gears, tire size, trans, etc.

 

[78shortandwide]

So, a d60 and a 14 would be the best, because if i deceide to go with bigger tires later i won't have to change the axles then. Eventually i want to do a 12 inch lift and 40s+. Now to find some axles, YEA junk yard here i come!!

 

[HotRodPC]

C4 always go for the D60 sale. He's correct on all the statements he makes and it is the ideal choice IF you're willing to spend all the money it takes to go D60.

To answer your question, regear your half ton axles, or look for 3/4 ton axles with lower gears already, I'd go with the 3/4 ton axles with the lower gear in them already. 4.10 is the most common gear ratio in the 3/4 tons. I'd say you have a good chance of finding a 4.10 ratio set with 14b full float rear end, and Dana44 or GM Corp 10 bolt to match it and already set up for 8 lug wheels for about $300. Keep in mnd, they'll be used, might need seals, bearings and brakes.
But, your 1/2 ton 3.73 axles should be an easy sale too since 3.08 is a common gear ratio for 1/2 ton 4x4's. Someone will buy your axles just to get a lower 1/2 ton ratio.

 

[HotRodPC]

BTW, Welcome to GMSB Tom. Feel free to post up some pics of your rig, or start up a under construction thread and post you current pics, then you can post pics as you make changes, repairs and upgrades. We'd all like to see what you're working on.

 

[CknightK10]

If all your doing is street driving and light off-roading I would just re-gear, replace and rebuild the axle shafts in the current axles you have..

12 bolts are pretty strong... I know more than a few guys with 35"+ tires that abuse their trucks in the sand with 10" rear ends and never have any issues.. idk.. and for 35" tires or larger you would probably want 4.56' or 4.88 or even 5.13 gear ratios depending on the tranny so a 4.10 14 bolt would have to be re geared any way.. Unless you can find a 14 bolt and a D60 that have already been geared, just use the axles you have..

Once again just all depend on what you wanna do with the truck.

 

[CknightK10]

best bet would be to find some axles off of a military 3/4 ton.. I think all those had 4.56 gears

 

[HotRodPC]

best bet would be to find some axles off of a military 3/4 ton.. I think all those had 4.56 gears

Yes, they are 4.56 and OEM Detroit Locker in the rear end, but those are 14b Full Float and D60. The cheapest I seen a used set for is $1200. I've seen 14b Full Float 4.10 and Dana44 front for $300-$400 a few times.

As said, just depnds on what you want to do with the truck, but it also depends on the budget. I'm on a beer budget, so I intend to find a set of axles out of a mid to late 70's 3/4 ton. And then again, with the regear, set up properly with new bearings and seals, you know its as good as new and will have many many years of service out of them with possibly the occasional broken axle. There are aslo chromolly axles available that are much stronger than OEM but pricey.