WSM29
Sr. Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2010
- Messages
- 371
I have searched and searched... then pondered a bit and searched some more. I kinda want to see whats new and then just personalize the question a bit.
Here is the setup.
1976- 5.0 EFI, NV3550 and Dana 20. Running 33's with option to go 35s later.
Front end is stock dana 44 and rear is stock 9 inch. Both open 3.50
I am pretty set on getting 4.88 gears due to wanting to go 35s later if they will fit and having the OD in the NV3550.
What I don't know is what I need to do with the axles and locking components. I am 80% on road and 20% trail rig. It won't see a mud pit, but I don't want it to struggle too bad on a medium trail.
I know a lot of guys like the ARBs, I do to... I just don't see them in the budget right now. So do I run something like a tru-trac in both front and rear or a tru-trac in the rear and locker the front? I know I don't want to have it fully locked all the time in the rear for daily driving purposes. I have read having the front fully locked is bad on ice and snow as well. So there is the dilemma. What other options are out there?
Also- Do I need to upgrade axle shafts in both front and rear?
I am pretty confident on doing the rear swap by myself, as I can buy a 3rd member with gearing and locker of choice. Everything should be pretty much bolt on. So if I change the gearing in the rear, is it safe to drive without the front drive shaft to a shop to have them do the front?
What is an average cost for a gear swap on a dana 44?
Thanks for taking the time to read! Down to 6 weeks left on this deployment... Cant wait to get back and get to wrenching on it again!
Here is the setup.
1976- 5.0 EFI, NV3550 and Dana 20. Running 33's with option to go 35s later.
Front end is stock dana 44 and rear is stock 9 inch. Both open 3.50
I am pretty set on getting 4.88 gears due to wanting to go 35s later if they will fit and having the OD in the NV3550.
What I don't know is what I need to do with the axles and locking components. I am 80% on road and 20% trail rig. It won't see a mud pit, but I don't want it to struggle too bad on a medium trail.
I know a lot of guys like the ARBs, I do to... I just don't see them in the budget right now. So do I run something like a tru-trac in both front and rear or a tru-trac in the rear and locker the front? I know I don't want to have it fully locked all the time in the rear for daily driving purposes. I have read having the front fully locked is bad on ice and snow as well. So there is the dilemma. What other options are out there?
Also- Do I need to upgrade axle shafts in both front and rear?
I am pretty confident on doing the rear swap by myself, as I can buy a 3rd member with gearing and locker of choice. Everything should be pretty much bolt on. So if I change the gearing in the rear, is it safe to drive without the front drive shaft to a shop to have them do the front?
What is an average cost for a gear swap on a dana 44?
Thanks for taking the time to read! Down to 6 weeks left on this deployment... Cant wait to get back and get to wrenching on it again!