Axles and Gears
Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
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2nd gen axles will not work because the front driveshaft drops down on the driver side instead of the passenger side. The rear axles might work though, idk.
1/2 tons have a smaller frame than 3/4 and 1 tons so you can beef up the axles and springs but a 1/2 ton will never truly be a 3/4 ton.
Im not sure how many years back you can go but I dont think it matters. But keep an eye out for the dana 61 (youve probably already seen something about it) but it has high gears and and the gears are not interchangeable with a regular d60. As far as I know the 61s were only used on some diesel models.
I didnt care for the look of the 33s when I had them on my truck for a short time and didnt notice any reduced economy went I went back to 35s. I would never choose 33s over 35s after having run them both
As for the brake upgrade, Im still rocking my 1/2 booster and master. My rear brakes have yet to work since Ive had the axle (not the master and boosters fault) I still want to upgrade the booster and master cylinder eventually though
1/2 tons have a smaller frame than 3/4 and 1 tons so you can beef up the axles and springs but a 1/2 ton will never truly be a 3/4 ton.
Im not sure how many years back you can go but I dont think it matters. But keep an eye out for the dana 61 (youve probably already seen something about it) but it has high gears and and the gears are not interchangeable with a regular d60. As far as I know the 61s were only used on some diesel models.
I didnt care for the look of the 33s when I had them on my truck for a short time and didnt notice any reduced economy went I went back to 35s. I would never choose 33s over 35s after having run them both
As for the brake upgrade, Im still rocking my 1/2 booster and master. My rear brakes have yet to work since Ive had the axle (not the master and boosters fault) I still want to upgrade the booster and master cylinder eventually though
Just a little clarification: the frames are *******ly the same in most cases between the different trucks:
http://ramchargercentral.com/parts-c...58/#msg1777358
CC is correct you can go back to 1978 for D60's. The D61\71 were in diesel models in 89-91 with auto transmissions and would have 3.07 or 3.54 gears and would be expensive to regear to something usable.
With 35's you will want at least 4.10's. As mentioned, with 3.23's or 3.54's the truck is a dog and you would not be happy with the performance.
You definitely want to go with at least the 1-ton brake booster\master cylinder assembly or better yet a hydro-boost for good stopping.
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Rookie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 55
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From: Paducah, KY
Yowzahh!! That's some coin. You talking swapping current 3.55 gears in the current D44/9.25 combo I have now, right?
I found an 86 W-250 south of me that is "running" for $800. Tempted to go look at it.
I found an 86 W-250 south of me that is "running" for $800. Tempted to go look at it.
Ah alright. I was told once the heavy duty trucks' frames were an inch taller
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,017
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
A gear swap at a pro shop will probably run around $800-1000 per axle for parts and labor. At least around here it does
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Rookie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 55
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From: Paducah, KY
[QUOTE=sls001;You definitely want to go with at least the 1-ton brake booster\master cylinder assembly or better yet a hydro-boost for good stopping.[/QUOTE]
I saw someone selling their new 1-ton booste/master cylinder that went on a 1/2 ton on another site; they said it was too much for the front disc brake stock setup and he took it off.
Is there anything I need to add/modify if I do this? Turns out I'm doing the front brakes anyway; my passenger front disc brake froze up on me on the way home today. Caught in a traffic jam coming home, with lots of brake pedal action, when it happened. Brake got pretty hot. I'm going to go ahead and replace both calipers/pads and rotors. Probably get new lines too.
I saw someone selling their new 1-ton booste/master cylinder that went on a 1/2 ton on another site; they said it was too much for the front disc brake stock setup and he took it off.
Is there anything I need to add/modify if I do this? Turns out I'm doing the front brakes anyway; my passenger front disc brake froze up on me on the way home today. Caught in a traffic jam coming home, with lots of brake pedal action, when it happened. Brake got pretty hot. I'm going to go ahead and replace both calipers/pads and rotors. Probably get new lines too.
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Rookie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Paducah, KY
10-4, thanks for the feedback.
Another question on the brake mod; 1 ton GM wheel cylinders if I remember correctly, but any specific year??
Another question on the brake mod; 1 ton GM wheel cylinders if I remember correctly, but any specific year??
Last edited by jcruse64; Sep 20, 2013 at 06:06 PM.