Ok, here's what I want to do to my truck. I want to put 3/4 or 1 ton axles under it and a larger motor. I need to know where would be the best place to locate axles and motor's would be, junkyard, shop, etc. I would like to go with 1 ton and a built 440, (I have an '89 Dodge 4x4 shortbed with a 318 in it) and any other kind of info I will need to make the conversion. I want to turn my truck into a street legal mud truck, (not to many rock's to crawl in central Missouri where I'm located). I'm probably gonna have to give up street legal for the performance I'm gonna need for mud runnin' but I can live with that. So any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, The Hogg...

I would start with the junkyard if you plan on rebuilding them yourself. Otherwise start looking on the internet for axles. It costed me about $800 for 4.56's in my 1/2t axles never would do it again would get 1tons. The going rate for setting up gears is approx. $300 an axle. Its not that hard to do it on your own if you take your time. The Yukon gears I bought had a real good install manual with them. I would run a d60 front and gm14 bolt rear. As for the motor from what I have seen it is getting harder and harder to find 440's. A 318 has more potential than people give it credit. I am running about 350hp. Missouri has fairly strict lift laws so to be legal you will have to use a sawsall. Bumper heights are as follows 27” front and 29” rear. That is good for approx 4" of lift.

Just buy a built rig. Save yourself the headache.

Just buy a built rig. Save yourself the headache.

That takes all the fun out of it though.

Well fortunately for me there is absolutely no shortage of junkyards in my area and as far as using a 440, I think I'm gonna take your advice and try and find a junker 318 or 360 to rebuild.

You could find a 383 or 413 to drop in as well. They are still plentiful and relatively cheap.

Find a 3/4 or 1 ton Dodge of the same vintage (sometimes you can find the whole truck for less $$ than buying the axles seperate) and swap all the good stuff to your truck.

yeah man 440's are definately starting to get harder to find. I live in nevada and oddly enough i run across alot of them, but most are too far gone to even think about building.

318's and 360's are awesome like clemet said he's making 350hp out of his..and my 360 is about 375hp and gets up and goes even with 3.55's still...

I am in teh same boat as you though, i'm looking for a good set of 1ton / 3/4ton axles before september so i can goto MOAB with Ramchargercentral.com's group...

good luck.