How should I upgrade 1980 GMC Jimmy??

Zambine · 03-13-2003, 01:14 AM

1980 GMC Sierra Classic. I got the new 350 and tricked it out. Got a new TH350 tranny too. Traded my old 12bolt 3.08 gear rear and 10 bolt 3.08 front for my friends 10 bolt 3.73 rear and front from his busted ass '83 Blazer. Now I got some money and it's time to upgrade. What will be an easy swap for me as far as axles go?? Meaning not welding/fabricating, just a straight bolt on?? I can't do fabricating since it's a daily driver now I don't feel like it so much. I want some macho ass axles that I can find at a junk yard hopefully and re-build. Disc/drum barkes don't worry me and emergency brakes are for pussys, all I need is for the springs to mount good and if I need to get another custom driveshaft thats only 70 bucks. So do your job guys and help me out. Please. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Price range is up to 300 per axle.

reeser · 03-13-2003, 02:35 AM

find a 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup truck with 4.10 gears. this will give you a strong, bulletproof corporate 14 bolt that will bolt into your k5. the front will be either a 44 or a corp 10 bolt. they're both about the same strength. this is a direct bolt in and shouldn't take more than a saturday to do.

SandmanII · 03-14-2003, 10:11 AM

I agree. You should be able to come up with a set of 3/4 ton axles for a good deal if you shop around some. If you can spring for the cash, consider throwing a Detroit in the 14 bolt rear. They are about $300 and worth every penny and are very easy to install.

rodzzilla · 03-14-2003, 04:51 PM

Check around. Sometimes you can pick up the whole truck for next to nothing. Stick w/ a 3/4 ton rear. Ton rear will need perches moved. Cheap to convert to disk brakes, too.

Two Dogs F..king · 03-14-2003, 08:42 PM

What size tires are you planning on running with this bad boy?

sw99 · 03-16-2003, 07:14 PM

Either way, go 14 bolt in the rear. This way it's the last time you will have to worry about the rear axle. 14 bolts go all day for under $100 at the PNS. I would try and find a 44 instead of the 10 bolt.. You can get parts out the a$$ for them and they are cheap to repair...or go 60 front

.

Zambine · 03-17-2003, 02:41 AM

I'm running 36X12.5 SS TSL Radials but might upgrade to 38's or 39's w/ a 2" body lift to keep up with my friends tire sizes.

03-13-2003, 01:14 AM	#1
Zambine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9046 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 18	How should I upgrade 1980 GMC Jimmy?? 1980 GMC Sierra Classic. I got the new 350 and tricked it out. Got a new TH350 tranny too. Traded my old 12bolt 3.08 gear rear and 10 bolt 3.08 front for my friends 10 bolt 3.73 rear and front from his busted ass '83 Blazer. Now I got some money and it's time to upgrade. What will be an easy swap for me as far as axles go?? Meaning not welding/fabricating, just a straight bolt on?? I can't do fabricating since it's a daily driver now I don't feel like it so much. I want some macho ass axles that I can find at a junk yard hopefully and re-build. Disc/drum barkes don't worry me and emergency brakes are for pussys, all I need is for the springs to mount good and if I need to get another custom driveshaft thats only 70 bucks. So do your job guys and help me out. Please. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Price range is up to 300 per axle. __________________ "Take a truck, take a Chevy" - George Strait 80 K5 Blazer, T350/NP205, 10/12 Bolt Pimped out 350, 6in lift, 36" TSL's

03-14-2003, 04:51 PM	#4
rodzzilla Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5162 Location: If you drink enough, you will forget it is Iowa Posts: 806	Check around. Sometimes you can pick up the whole truck for next to nothing. Stick w/ a 3/4 ton rear. Ton rear will need perches moved. Cheap to convert to disk brakes, too. __________________ "26 chicks all tied in a knot. Aint all good but it's what we got"

03-17-2003, 02:41 AM	#7
Zambine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9046 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 18	Tires I'm running 36X12.5 SS TSL Radials but might upgrade to 38's or 39's w/ a 2" body lift to keep up with my friends tire sizes. __________________ "Take a truck, take a Chevy" - George Strait 80 K5 Blazer, T350/NP205, 10/12 Bolt Pimped out 350, 6in lift, 36" TSL's

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03-13-2003, 02:35 AM	#2
reeser Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14707 Location: Hayden Lake, ID Posts: 1,319	find a 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup truck with 4.10 gears. this will give you a strong, bulletproof corporate 14 bolt that will bolt into your k5. the front will be either a 44 or a corp 10 bolt. they're both about the same strength. this is a direct bolt in and shouldn't take more than a saturday to do.

03-14-2003, 10:11 AM	#3
SandmanII Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14169 Location: Idaho Posts: 349	I agree. You should be able to come up with a set of 3/4 ton axles for a good deal if you shop around some. If you can spring for the cash, consider throwing a Detroit in the 14 bolt rear. They are about $300 and worth every penny and are very easy to install.

03-14-2003, 08:42 PM	#5
Two Dogs F..king Banned Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11585 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1	What size tires are you planning on running with this bad boy?

03-16-2003, 07:14 PM	#6
sw99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 15049 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,631	Either way, go 14 bolt in the rear. This way it's the last time you will have to worry about the rear axle. 14 bolts go all day for under $100 at the PNS. I would try and find a 44 instead of the 10 bolt.. You can get parts out the a$$ for them and they are cheap to repair...or go 60 front .