Solid Axle Swap on a 1998 chevy silverado 1500

[WillDaBeast69]

hey yall,
i was hoping someone could help me out with some ideas/suggestions for doing a solid axle swap on my chevy k1500. such as axles, gears, lockers, etc. be awesome if someone could help me out.

thanks,
will

[outalne94z71]

(01-18-2011 03:03 PM)WillDaBeast69 Wrote:  hey yall,
i was hoping someone could help me out with some ideas/suggestions for doing a solid axle swap on my chevy k1500. such as axles, gears, lockers, etc. be awesome if someone could help me out.

thanks,
will

well we need more information, like tire size you plan on and what type of wheeling you plan on doing, what transmission you have(auto or manual)

is it a reg cab or extended cab, short or long box?

[WillDaBeast69]

oh ok sorry.

-its a 1998 chevy silverado k1500, ext. cab, short bed, z71, 5.7l 350 vortec, auto tranny, stock tcase (possible swap for turbo 400)
-the plan is to run 40s on 17 or 18in rims, wheeling will consist of mainly rocks, mud, and some sand.
-i will probably end up doing a coil system up front with leafs in rear
btw the lower the cost of all this, the better...

if u need more info dont be afraid to [censored] at me haha kinda new to all this

[crow5716]

the np241 and 4L60 should be fine. You'll want to find a 78-79 Ford 1 ton front end. The HP Dana 60. Any GM 1 ton rear end would work. 14bff would be nice. 5.13's on gears wouldn't be a bad choice either. Just throwing in my 2 cents

-crow

[outalne94z71]

since you are in IL and looking at the same route as gone before, contact JohnnyU
http://www.pavementsucks.com/board/user-JohnnyU
he is also in IL and went with a coil spring sas

here is his build
http://www.pavementsucks.com/board/threa...il-springs

you are definitely talking 1 ton range with that tire size and 5:13 gear should be about right with your overdrive, a th400 is really not an option with your obdII system and would be a step backward, i would just build that 4l60e you have now, my 94 had a 4l60e and 4:10 gear with 35's and was a pooch, was even worse with 40's but it did get it moving.

you are going to need a t-case swap

[outalne94z71]

(01-18-2011 10:10 PM)crow5716 Wrote:  the np241 and 4L60 should be fine.

-crow

1/2 ton did not have the np 241 in 98, it had a 243 or 246 depending if it has autotrak

[WillDaBeast69]

well seeing as i just got some work done on my rear axle... i kinda want to keep that for a while. is that even possible with that size of tires? and couldnt i just change up the gearing

[outalne94z71]

(01-19-2011 07:07 PM)WillDaBeast69 Wrote:  well seeing as i just got some work done on my rear axle... i kinda want to keep that for a while. is that even possible with that size of tires? and couldn't i just change up the gearing

if it was a street queen, its possible, do you have the 8.5 or the 9.5 rear?


you really need 1 tons to even think of wheeling 40's

[WillDaBeast69]

mmkkk.

and i dont know. all i no is that its a 10 bolt rear. so dana 44 i think?

[outalne94z71]

(01-20-2011 01:16 PM)WillDaBeast69 Wrote:  mmkkk.

and i dont know. all i no is that its a 10 bolt rear. so dana 44 i think?

the 10 bolt is the 8.5 and should be avoided, the 9.5 is a 14 bolt semi floating axle, while it is far better than the 10 bolt it still is a small axle for that tire size.

tho 10.5 14 bolt full floater you can get for around $100 and is stronger than a dana 70, it is also cheaper for all upgrade parts