So Im just starting my first build, I have a 78 k5 with a d44 and a 12 bolt. I want to run 36-37" Iroks. I would love to find a d60 front and a 14ff, but my question is do I need them for this size tire. Would a 3/4 ton d44 and 14ff be a suitable option. This will be my first offroad truck, the only on road time it will see is to and from trails, and I dont plan on towing anything. Also remember im still new to wheel'n so I wont be going anywhere really advanced right away.

Thanks in advance
Jeff

It really all depends on how you drive it. Try not to beat on it with the wheel turned sharp and it just may last. One good thing is that spares can be had cheap. front and rear 1/2 ton stuff sells for $200 a set around here.

i ran 38s on 1/2 axles for about 5 years. only really breakage i had was one front axle shaft. plan on going through ball joints and bearings yearly but if you know you have 1/2 tons and know your limits they will last

I broke mine twice in 4 trips with 38s and open diffs. Broke my stock D60 on my first trip with 40s and a locker. I honestly wouldn't ever wheel another fullsize, especially not a K5, without a Dana 60.

You have 1/2 ton stuff that's not broke (yet) for free. You could buy 1-ton stuff that's a lot harder to break for $$$. How heavy is your right foot? Since you are just starting out, I think you'd be better off to wheel what you've got until it breaks, then upgrade as money/desire dictates. Just don't spend a lot of money putting high-steer and full hydro on the D-44 so that the upgrade to a D-60 doesn't leave you with unused expensive parts laying around the garage.

I've got a buddy that runs a d-30 front axle with 35's and he just keeps 3 spare shafts available for WHEN it breaks. He swaps 'em out in about 20 minutes when the carnage happens.

So I'm thinking that I'm just going to run what I have until it breaks, and in the mean time I'll start looking for the axles I want. I have a family member that wants to sell me the axles from a jeep m715 (dana 60 front and dana 70 rear), what kind of issues would I have tring to install these?

i am running 37" iroks with a d44 and 14bolt sf, got stuck, pedal to the floor (no locker) and tires didn't spin, nothing broke..its on a k10.

idk if i got lucky, bought a good set, or they are built to beat, but i'd like a 60 in the future and upgrade to stronger sf shafts.

So I'm thinking that I'm just going to run what I have until it breaks, and in the mean time I'll start looking for the axles I want. I have a family member that wants to sell me the axles from a jeep m715 (dana 60 front and dana 70 rear), what kind of issues would I have tring to install these?

its not to bad. i did the swap to a dana 60/14 bolt a few months back. only real problem was having to move the spring purches on the back axle. and that was nothing

Man, i was gonna use those axles from a 715, but that dana 60 is no better than a dana 44. Its not heavy duty like you think. No aftermarket options, drum brakes ,i mean parts are hard to come by.

If you can get a 44/14ff combo cheap enough it would make sense, my reasoning is

14 bolt, tough, cheap
44 not so tough, sorta cheap
60 tough not cheap

6 bolt wheels and tires not cheap
8 bolt wheels and tires not cheap

If you are buying wheels now it would be way nicer to be able to use them when you upgrade to the 60/14 combo, it sucks to buy new wheels and tires because of a swap if you can avoid it

Brewchief:D

So Im just starting my first build, I have a 78 k5 with a d44 and a 12 bolt. I want to run 36-37" Iroks. I would love to find a d60 front and a 14ff, but my question is do I need them for this size tire. Would a 3/4 ton d44 and 14ff be a suitable option. This will be my first offroad truck, the only on road time it will see is to and from trails, and I dont plan on towing anything. Also remember im still new to wheel'n so I wont be going anywhere really advanced right away.

Thanks in advance
Jeff

Sounds like a good plan, start with a 14FF/front 8 lug 10 bolt or D44 (no difference in strength). Later, its easy to upgrade to a D60 front if you want. Check craigslist locally, I sold my 8 lug 10 bolt a year ago there an sometimes you can find deals.

Good to see someone else from AZ here. Welcome.

Yeah definately try to run 8 lug stuff. 14 bolts are cheap and converting your D44 or 10 bolt is not terribly expensive if it has the smaller hubs. keep a watch out for that $300 D60 while you wheel. put it in the garage until you break. :grinpimp:

I believe you can build a 44 to handle 37's max. I paid 1000 for a stock 60 with 4:56 gears. i also have plans of 40's in the future.

If u can get the M715 axles cheap enough, check to see what shafts are in the front. There were some of these that came with 35 spline shafts. Also it should have a 5.38 or 5.83 w/lockers front and back. Only if u can get them for cheap. U can get some wheels made for the odd bolt pattern and there is a place that sells a disk brake swap for the front. All of this depends on the price and if they have the good shafts up front.

a local guy was asking 150 for a M715 front. no one bit that I know of. they should be cheaper than a 14FF and 8lug conversion and you'll be setup for when you find a 60. another local guy has run them for years with 44's under a cj7. It's all mud bogging but they have survived. I don't know how much repair he's done to em.