Should I change rear ends?

[s10bogger]

I'm currently running a 12 bolt truck in the rear of my s-10 with a dana 44 up front. Over the winter I'm going to be installing 5.13's in the diffs and a 203/205 doubler kit. What I'm affraid of is that the small pinion of the 12 bolt will be too weak with the 5.13's and turning my 36"s TSL's. I've been thinking about swapping out the 12 bolt for a 9" with the 5.13's and a spool (or mini spool). I don't drive the rig on the street much anymore (really only to go to the trails and a possible little road driving about once a month max.
Is it really worth doing this swap? I am planning to get a set of 39" Krawlers (once they become available and the price goes down), so within the next 2 years.

[ranger]

12 bolt won't hold up to 39s. If your going that big, you need upgrade your front and rear axles.:skull:

[s10bogger]

I was planning to build a dana 60 for the front later (that is before the 39's would go on). But since I've got a 44 right now (easier to sell a built 44 than a 12 bolt truck). I was thinking of changing just the rear this winter and the front possibaly next year (since it will take a while for me to save up for the Krawlers and I've still got to wait for them to come on the market and hope that the price does drop on them)

[American]

Switch the rear. 14ff, 14sf (only if you are 6 lug though), D60 or D70

[blasterD]

If you are set up for a 12-bolt, a 14 bolt should be a quick bolt-in. It is cheap, plentiful and bulletproof. However it is heavy and has poor ground clearance. You can convert to discs and shave it to overcome these problems.

[s10bogger]

My buddy did the 14 bolt swap into his CJ like that (shaved with a disc brake convirsion). I was just thinking that a built 9" (nodular centre section, aftermarket axles and trussed) would be strong enough for me (I don't know what it is but have always loved the 9") plus the ground clearence is better than the 14 bolt. Like I said I do want 39"s in the future.
Will the 9" be that much weaker than the 14 bolt? even with what I'd like to do to it?

[American]

How much $$ you got? 35 spline 9" Full Floater with Disks in the rear ... that would be very cool :cool:

[s10bogger]

I am one of those people that spends all his money on his toys. I'm willing to pay for something that won't break (or at least is harder to break). I also have this tendency to always want to be different even if it costs more coin. I guess it's cuz I'm young with no girlfriend or kids and have a well paying job.

[The Yetti]

if you want to be pretty sure it wont break, use a 14 bolt. then you wont' have to mess with the bolt pattern on the 60 when you get it. a detroit is cheaper by far for the 14b than for anything else. better yet, just get one of the 60/14bolt sets that people are selling out of cucv's. they come with 4.56's and detroit in the rear. probly same cost as a really built 9 anyhow, and way beefier.

[White CJ7]

I'd have to agree, go with the 14 bolt for the rear, you'll regret it after if you don't.:rasta: :smokin:

[KarmirToy]

Originally posted by s10bogger
Will the 9" be that much weaker than the 14 bolt? even with what I'd like to do to it?

hahahah!:laughing: thats funny, they dont even compare. only way you can make the 9" slightly comparable to a stock 14FF is to cut your arm and leg. 14bolt is thee king of all junkyard axles.

[Bartcore]

Originally posted by KarmirXJ


hahahah!:laughing: thats funny, they dont even compare. only way you can make the 9" slightly comparable to a stock 14FF is to cut your arm and leg. 14bolt is thee king of all junkyard axles.

What he said. Its all about the 14 bolt period.

[EXO]

Originally posted by Bartcore


What he said. Its all about the 14 bolt period.


ditto , beef its what big tires need