Should I swap or wait?

[dott]

Subject vehicle:
78 GMC 4x4 longbed 1/2 ton 4x4, installed 5.7L TBI Dec 04, currently running 32" BFG on stock axles (d44 front and 12bolt rear with 3.07). Rear shackle flip w/56" springs, front 52" springs.

Usage: Some DD, lots of off-road, mild rock crawling.

Goal: bigger tires (probably 35"), lower gears and more clearance (longbed).

I have a lead on a set of axles. 10b front 3.73 8 lug and 14 bolt SF rear 3.73 for $250.

I think the 14bolt SF is an upgrade over the 12bolt.
Definitely like the 3.73's.

How does the 10bolt compare to the D44?

Overall, is it worth the time/money/benefit?

[Big4x4Rides]

of course it is since im the one that got the axles your wanting LOL

[Mechted]

d44 is about the same as a 10b
14bsf will be stronger than 12b

but you may want to look at deeper gears, 4.10s would be better, but since you this would be a offroad heavy truck, i would say go as deep as you can
of course you can just plan to do a gear change too...

[dott]

I forgot to mention. The "wait" part. The plan is to eventually go to Rockwells. I can't do that swap right now because the truck is still used as a DD. This seems like a good intermediate step until then. If I do this I'll have to get different wheels and, of course, bigger tires. Will the Ujoints fit?

[Mechted]

Originally Posted by dott

Will the Ujoints fit?

no. but there are conversion ujoints for that... well until you blow up your driveshafts anyway, then you can up grade the whole driveshaft

[ParaP14]

I say go for it, they are basically a bolt on other than some conversion u-joints. It will be worth the time just to have the fourteen bolt in the rear. The money is minimal, because you should be able to turn around and sell the axles and get your money back for them. As for benefit, the lower gears and the 14 bolt is a huge good upgrade for the day it will take you to do the swap.

just my .02.

[packnrat]

the 14 bolt is a very good axle, use the D44 or the 10bolt as they are sameo sameo.
as to doing the dd thing go very low gears (5. somthing) and a over drive or get a under drive and get 4.10 - 4.56 gears. the 4.10 for general runing, the 4.56 for playing in the rocks.

[dott]

Originally Posted by packnrat

the 14 bolt is a very good axle, use the D44 or the 10bolt as they are sameo sameo.
as to doing the dd thing go very low gears (5. somthing) and a over drive or get a under drive and get 4.10 - 4.56 gears. the 4.10 for general runing, the 4.56 for playing in the rocks.

I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck here. I don't want to swap gears or anything until I'm ready to go heavy duty (Rocks). I think for the amount of driving this truck will see, 3.73 gears with 35 tires will work pretty good. Besides the details, I'll have to scrounge up some 8 lug wheels.