j10 soon to be diesel axle swap ???

[altrocker1]

so i cant divulge many secrets about my drivetrain yet, but lets just say i have a deal in the works with another member on a diesel drive train...but i have a question.

given the combo on the drivetrain i am getting 3.73ish gears in the axles will be about right and since my j10 axles are 2.72...they arent going to be a great option...so here are my options, which is the smarter...

1) j20 axles from the jy..they have a set that should be 3.73...it may even be lsd since both rear wheel spin the same direction...either that or the spiders are just stuck...i didn't have anyone else there to test with me. these would be bolt in and are from an 85 so its a full floating axle in the rear

2.)14/44 combo from a 3/4 chevy...found a pair with 3.73 gears on clist...so im buying them for $100! obviously not bolt in and will require welding...probably a passenger drop so i might have to get a different tcase...BUT...could weld new perches and be spring over and have a TON of aftermarket support for the 14 bolt..

thoughts? im actually leaning for the 14 bolt...

[tndonor]

Kinda hard to give any useful or meaningful opinions without knowing the powerplant and intended use.

Some Diesels make their peak power at higher RPMs, others lower. If you are towing, you want to be cruising in the peak power for best fuel mileage.

Also,auto or manual trans with tire size will be important in deciding if 3.73 is an acceptable ratio.

Welcome to the smoky side of things! Post backwith details when you are able. There are a few folks here who have been around the block who will chime in to help

[altrocker1]

its going to be an isuzu 4cyl diesel...so hp and torque won't be anything crazy. ive used a few different calculators and everything is telling me that my final ratio should be around 3.73. that puts me at 1850 rpm in 5th gear with 33" tires at 65mph...usually i cruise around 70-75, so at 72mph it would be running about 2k, which from what i have read about that motor is where it is most efficient. i won't be pulling heavy loads most of the time...just a small flat boat and an aluminum enclosed trailer. on very rare occasions i might tow a vehicle short distances...

the 14 bolt will probably be a bit stronger than i need, but for $100 plus a little welding for perches on the chevy axles...that seems easier that regearing my 44 and amc 20. i could get the 60/44 combo from the jy to just bolt in from the j20, but really i would be spending about $200 more right off the bat.

hopefully that will provide more info...like i said, i am in the works with another member so i don't want to give too much away until everything is a done deal and the proper money has exchanged hands

[Tad]

I'm not a diesel guy but from a drivetrain perspective I would go for the 14/HD44 combo but keep the following thought in mind.

The $200 you think you will save going that route will be easily eaten up with the steering mod's needed to run SOA up front.
If you sourced the knuckle, machinist labor and misc parts yourself it would probably be a wash.

At that point I think the real question is do you want the extra height.

[altrocker1]

I'm not a diesel guy but from a drivetrain perspective I would go for the 14/HD44 combo but keep the following thought in mind.

The $200 you think you will save going that route will be easily eaten up with the steering mod's needed to run SOA up front.
If you sourced the knuckle, machinist labor and misc parts yourself it would probably be a wash.

At that point I think the real question is do you want the extra height.

well actually i will need just a little extra height i believe to clear 33's and to make sure there is not contact with the oil pan on the front diff or drive shaft. the isuzu motors are not as deep as the 4bt's, but it still would be nice to know i won't whack anything. my thought is that whatever i would spend for stout lift packs hopefully will net close to what it will be to machine steering parts. just the fact that im starting a diesel build sort has made me put aside any inhibitions of this truck being a money pit :)

[budojeepr]

The 2.72(? I thought I had 2.73?) gears in my diesel Wag are just fine for loping along the highway or normal driving. Haven't towed anything yet...and I'm sure lower gears would be better for 'wheeling.

But I love the long legs and good mileage on the highway!

[Resbum]

... i could get the 60/44 combo from the jy to just bolt in from the j20, but really i would be spending about $200 more right off the bat.
I agree with Tad 100% about cost. Believe me, being able to bolt your axles right in is definitely a money saver, even after the initial extra $200. I was really surprised at how much nickle and diming was involved with my axle swap. Plus, the 60/44 Dana combo would be plenty strong for your plans. I don't have any experience with the 14/44HD.

Please keep us up-to-date and post some pics on your swap. It's always good to see the way other people tackle issues.

Resbum

[rwjohnstone]

I agree with Tad 100% about cost. Believe me, being able to bolt your axles right in is definitely a money saver, even after the initial extra $200.
Resbum

I will triple that, if that oportunity were available to me I would have jumped on it instantly. I know the larger axles are cheaper, but in the long run, unless you have an unlimited amount of time/material, you will eat up the cost difference much faster than you think. But on the other hand...it is kinda fun:D

[altrocker1]

well the other thought i had is to transfer parts from the other front 44 to my current one to make it 8 lug...i have a guy who can set up gears for cheap as well so i could always transfer them...plus the gm will most likely have flat top knuckles so i have parts for high steer if i ever want to go there. like i said at $100 for the pair, even if i don't wind up using anything from them...i won't lose money by selling the gears and other parts and scrapping the housings.

[altrocker1]

well i went to pick up the axles today...the 44 has one flat top knuckle! but its on the wrong side...bummer. thats okay, there are a bazillion gm's in the local pick and pull so i should be able to find one easily.

the steering was actually something i've never seen before, but apparently was a 70's gm thing...here is a pic of what the top of the knuckle looks sort of like...not mine in the pic, but you get the idea..

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd321/altrocker2/wmdrivers-knuckle-steering-arm.jpg

i don't think the arc is quite as sever on mine, but its odd nonetheless. here is what the setup would be like...i know this isn't a 44, but i've never encountered drivers side steering so im trying to figure out how it even works...

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd321/altrocker2/293439_10150257129500906_511410905_7990936_4560_n. jpg

i guess the pitman arm is clocked 90 degrees sideways, then a short link moves the arm??? like i said, its probably useless to me, but i thought it was interesting. i guess i'll be pick and pull bound to get some flat top knuckles if this all works out. regardless the axles were $50 each and they have good gears in them so i won't lose anything if i have to get rid of them...holy jeebus the 14 bolt is a heavy sob though. it is the 10.5" version and the guy who had it just blew up the motor in his skid loader aaaaannnnd...he actually got shot accidentally this deer season so he is really not able to lift much. so i about tore my arms off trying to get it in the pickup bed. oh well...at least it will get a premium at the scrap yard if need be:thumbsup: