Solid Axle swap

project88 · 05-21-2006, 07:02 PM

hey guys,
im thinkin of doin somethin here, but dont know really what i am gettin into. Here is the plan, I have a 88 chev silverado, k1500. Im lookin for a posi with 3.73 but, not havin any cheaper luck. But, i have found a old ford crewcab, with low miles, body rotted but drivetrain excellent, with dana 60's. (solid of course) how much fabbing, and how many bottles of advil does this require. Not concerned about the work, just trouble and fabrication..

If its not that hard, i plan to buy the truck, keep the axles and part it out. motor transfercase and Tranny has less than 100 000 km on it, so it think i could get my money back on it.
I kow anything is possible with a welder and time, but you guys know what i mean.

mrjohnwayne · 05-21-2006, 07:52 PM

you want a posi for the front, or rear. Have a gm 10 bolt rear 373 richmonds with an Eaton Posi, only like 15000 miles on it. In a 96 chevy ext cab 1/2 ton

chevyguy · 05-21-2006, 10:44 PM

What year ford. It obviously has drivers front differential so you can use your current trnasmission and transfer case. Look for 78-79 f250 for the high pinion front diff. Need more info and I can advise more.

project88 · 05-22-2006, 08:08 AM

a-hah! thanks CG, will retrieve more info.

another ?. Im not plannin on off roading hardcore with this, but there will be some extra power added to the engine eventually. Is my 700r still good or should i find a 4L80? Or better yet, how much HP n TQ can a 700r take? Who knows, it might be still be in the range.

mrjohnwayne · 05-22-2006, 08:21 AM

700's are easier/cheaper to build to withstand high power/torque ranges. 4L80's are expensive plus you'd have to find a computer for it. I know the 700's weakest link is the output shaft when it comes to 4x4's though.

chevyguy · 05-22-2006, 10:15 AM

Stick with the 700R4, They are great for higher horsepower short of 500 ponies.

project88 · 05-22-2006, 08:31 PM

Excellent, well i am going to be under 500 HP, so that works good.

Well, here is more info, its a 74 crew cab 3/4 ton. Leaf front, i dont know if they ever came coil, but just in case.

And its more appealing that i can use my transfer case,

I know CG that you wanted more info to have more input, but if you need more, ill find it out or tell you.

chevyguy · 05-22-2006, 09:27 PM

74 ford or chevy? Si a 74 ford disc brakes? i think so. This is not a sought after front end due to lower pinion. It will work, Just need a sharper angle of driveshaft. I recommend crossover steering. otherwise its a pain. This is a costly endeavor. Around 2k just for parts.

project88 · 05-22-2006, 09:52 PM

so i m guessing you think its not a good idea, thats too bad because the truck has less than 100 000 k on it and i can get it for 400 bux. so, its not sought after, lower pinion and costly to do.

project88 · 05-22-2006, 09:52 PM

oh yeah, it is a ford

05-21-2006, 07:02 PM	#1
project88 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 135	Solid Axle swap hey guys, im thinkin of doin somethin here, but dont know really what i am gettin into. Here is the plan, I have a 88 chev silverado, k1500. Im lookin for a posi with 3.73 but, not havin any cheaper luck. But, i have found a old ford crewcab, with low miles, body rotted but drivetrain excellent, with dana 60's. (solid of course) how much fabbing, and how many bottles of advil does this require. Not concerned about the work, just trouble and fabrication.. If its not that hard, i plan to buy the truck, keep the axles and part it out. motor transfercase and Tranny has less than 100 000 km on it, so it think i could get my money back on it. I kow anything is possible with a welder and time, but you guys know what i mean.

05-21-2006, 07:52 PM	#2
mrjohnwayne Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,789	you want a posi for the front, or rear. Have a gm 10 bolt rear 373 richmonds with an Eaton Posi, only like 15000 miles on it. In a 96 chevy ext cab 1/2 ton __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

05-21-2006, 10:44 PM	#3
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,554	What year ford. It obviously has drivers front differential so you can use your current trnasmission and transfer case. Look for 78-79 f250 for the high pinion front diff. Need more info and I can advise more. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, Basically useless, But fun to watch when you push them down the stairs.

05-22-2006, 08:21 AM	#5
mrjohnwayne Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,789	700's are easier/cheaper to build to withstand high power/torque ranges. 4L80's are expensive plus you'd have to find a computer for it. I know the 700's weakest link is the output shaft when it comes to 4x4's though. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

05-22-2006, 10:15 AM	#6
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,554	Stick with the 700R4, They are great for higher horsepower short of 500 ponies. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, Basically useless, But fun to watch when you push them down the stairs.

05-22-2006, 08:08 AM	#4
project88 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 135	a-hah! thanks CG, will retrieve more info. another ?. Im not plannin on off roading hardcore with this, but there will be some extra power added to the engine eventually. Is my 700r still good or should i find a 4L80? Or better yet, how much HP n TQ can a 700r take? Who knows, it might be still be in the range.

05-22-2006, 08:31 PM	#7
project88 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 135	Excellent, well i am going to be under 500 HP, so that works good. Well, here is more info, its a 74 crew cab 3/4 ton. Leaf front, i dont know if they ever came coil, but just in case. And its more appealing that i can use my transfer case, I know CG that you wanted more info to have more input, but if you need more, ill find it out or tell you.

05-22-2006, 09:27 PM	#8
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,554	74 ford or chevy? Si a 74 ford disc brakes? i think so. This is not a sought after front end due to lower pinion. It will work, Just need a sharper angle of driveshaft. I recommend crossover steering. otherwise its a pain. This is a costly endeavor. Around 2k just for parts. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, Basically useless, But fun to watch when you push them down the stairs.

05-22-2006, 09:52 PM	#9
project88 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 135	so i m guessing you think its not a good idea, thats too bad because the truck has less than 100 000 k on it and i can get it for 400 bux. so, its not sought after, lower pinion and costly to do.

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