MMcc
OBS Enthusiast
So I've been saving and scheming for the next big upgrade to my '97 K1500 Suburban, 3.73. Ages ago I sold myself on the idea of an axle swap and now I'm getting cold feet. Let me know what you think.
My truck is increasingly becoming less of a daily driver and more of a weekender. Lots of desert washboard and double tracks through the mountains.
The G80 LSD in my 10-bolt failed last spring so now is the time to pull the trigger before winter comes.
Option 1 - work with a local shop to build a 9.5" SF, 6 lug, with 4.10 or 4.56 and an Eaton TrueTrac. Have a bomber axle that I wont have to think about for the next 150k miles (more?). That piece of mind would be nice for the couple of times a year I push up against the GVWR loaded to gills with 4 people and river gear. And the truck is only going to get heavier as dreams of rock sliders and custom bumpers come true.
Option 2 - rebuild the 10B. It seems the TrueTrac is more durable than the G80, so make that switch and any other beefier parts that are available. Regear to 4.30 from Nitro-Gear. Save some $$.
I'm running 33"s with no plans to go bigger. 4.30s seems 100% ideal but they're not available for the 9.5".
In either case, helper bags are in my future (looks like a fun project) and they'd actually help increase GVWR if paired with the 14-Bolt, right? Not that I'd expect a judge to agree...
How much better is the 14 B SF over the 10 B? I plan on having this truck for a lot of years to come and driving it rough. "Buy the best parts you can afford" seems like good advice but I also really want those 4.30s!
My truck is increasingly becoming less of a daily driver and more of a weekender. Lots of desert washboard and double tracks through the mountains.
The G80 LSD in my 10-bolt failed last spring so now is the time to pull the trigger before winter comes.
Option 1 - work with a local shop to build a 9.5" SF, 6 lug, with 4.10 or 4.56 and an Eaton TrueTrac. Have a bomber axle that I wont have to think about for the next 150k miles (more?). That piece of mind would be nice for the couple of times a year I push up against the GVWR loaded to gills with 4 people and river gear. And the truck is only going to get heavier as dreams of rock sliders and custom bumpers come true.
Option 2 - rebuild the 10B. It seems the TrueTrac is more durable than the G80, so make that switch and any other beefier parts that are available. Regear to 4.30 from Nitro-Gear. Save some $$.
I'm running 33"s with no plans to go bigger. 4.30s seems 100% ideal but they're not available for the 9.5".
In either case, helper bags are in my future (looks like a fun project) and they'd actually help increase GVWR if paired with the 14-Bolt, right? Not that I'd expect a judge to agree...
How much better is the 14 B SF over the 10 B? I plan on having this truck for a lot of years to come and driving it rough. "Buy the best parts you can afford" seems like good advice but I also really want those 4.30s!