I broke stuff... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RED72blazer · 11-28-2006, 11:07 PM

well, I have no 4wheel drive! I have atleast one grenaded hub and a bad u-joint on the same side, I'm not really sure what to do. I can wiggle the axle as it goes into the axle tube. Bad axle bearing? how hard are dana 44's to rebuild? If I'm going to rebuild the front end, I might as well do the rear and I want steaper gears. I've located a set of axles out of a 70 blazer( he's converting to 2wd) I'm not sure of the ratio, how do I check? the front is disk brakes on his, so at least that won't be a problem. I'm hoping his is a 3.73 so I can just rebuild his and swap it over. were do I find parts? thanks guys in a pickle...

red72

bouncytruck · 11-29-2006, 12:12 AM

Redoing the gears is a lot of work. You have to get the tolerances just right. This means a lot of putting stuff together, measuring and taking it apart again. I redid the hubs on my '69. It was fairly straight forward. One of the hardest parts was getting the sterring arm off. While I had it apart, I also did a brake job. Finding someone to turn the rotors wasn't easy either. I replaced the ball joints at the same time. I had to find a shop to press them in but later found a tool to do the job that was less expensive then paying a shop to press them in.

Get a haynes book at the local autoparts store and it will give you an idea of what is involved. There are a couple special tools you need to get it apart. One is a special size socket for the hubs. Schucks rents the tools, but you can also buy one.

RED72blazer · 11-29-2006, 01:39 AM

I have a hub tool and I'm a mechanic so I have access to a lathe, I'm not interested in swapping the gears in my axles, but if I found a set with 3.73 i'd pick them up and rebuild them then swap them in. I found a set on craigslist but he doesn't know the gearing, I want to go take a look at them and figure it out. I guess I just need some advice or opinions, rebuild what I have and keep the 3.07 gears or find some 3.73 rebuild them and swap them out. I just don't know where to go for parts.

**jaros44sr** · 11-29-2006, 07:07 AM

I have a list of Dana numbers, get the number off of the axle tube to the right of the pumpkin. Or you can count revolutions, brake drum to pinion. just my .02

bouncytruck · 11-29-2006, 11:38 AM

With the 33's you have on the rig, you need some lower gearing. 3.73's would make the rig much more driveable. Have you considered looking for a set of 3/4 or 1 ton axles and swapping? I would think that you should be able to find some 1/2 ton axles fairly easily since so many people swap out to the heavier duty axles.

I believe that GreenMystChevy swapped out his 1/2 ton axles a couple years ago. You might see if he still has them. He is/was in Woodinville.

Livrat · 11-29-2006, 12:42 PM

I have both axles in 3:73's if you are interested in going that route.. I also have all of the parts you may need to fix what you have..
Feel free to give me a call
Mark
206-406-2719

johnnywagon · 11-29-2006, 04:36 PM

I agree with BouncyTruck. The effort and expense of going 3/4 ton isn't a whole lot more than rebuilding the 1/2 ton stuff. EXCEPT for the new wheels & tires. Im not positive but I think most 73 & up 3/4 trucks are a "simple" bolt in on the front diff. The rear might require new perches. Anyway, thats how it went when I used a 77 3/4 pickup as a donor for my 71 Blazer.

RED72blazer · 11-29-2006, 07:16 PM

I don't do much heavy four wheeling, and since I'm really short and my girls even shorter, 33's and a 4 inch lift is as high as I want go. so I'm not sure I would really benefit from a 3/4 ton conversion...Plus I think I would like to keep it closer to stock, not really sure why...

do you guys think 3.73 will make a huge difference? it's not to bad with what's in it which I believe are 3.07.

bouncytruck · 11-29-2006, 08:01 PM

I think you will see better performance off the line and improved MPG. 3.73s is about right for 33's. I'm running 3.07s on my stock 235/85R16s (about 31") and I wouldn't mind swapping to 3.73s.

70rs/ss · 11-30-2006, 03:51 PM

I thought most if not all 4X4's were 3:73? My 72 Blazer has 3:73 and the other option was 4:11's? If I was swapping 3:73 would be the minimum and 4:11's would be my goal. I have a 4:11 in my 2wd with 33's and it smokes the tires and get OK rpm going down the road. It'll eventually get an OD 4l80e/6.0 motor.

bouncytruck · 11-30-2006, 04:30 PM

3:07 was the "standard". 3:73's were the option. I don't think any Blazers came from the factory with 4:10s.

11-28-2006, 11:07 PM	#1
RED72blazer urban fourwheelin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,007	I broke stuff... well, I have no 4wheel drive! I have atleast one grenaded hub and a bad u-joint on the same side, I'm not really sure what to do. I can wiggle the axle as it goes into the axle tube. Bad axle bearing? how hard are dana 44's to rebuild? If I'm going to rebuild the front end, I might as well do the rear and I want steaper gears. I've located a set of axles out of a 70 blazer( he's converting to 2wd) I'm not sure of the ratio, how do I check? the front is disk brakes on his, so at least that won't be a problem. I'm hoping his is a 3.73 so I can just rebuild his and swap it over. were do I find parts? thanks guys in a pickle... red72 __________________ 1972 K5 Blazer with Cummins 4BT, NV4500 swap in the parts gathering stage.

11-29-2006, 12:12 AM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: I broke stuff... Redoing the gears is a lot of work. You have to get the tolerances just right. This means a lot of putting stuff together, measuring and taking it apart again. I redid the hubs on my '69. It was fairly straight forward. One of the hardest parts was getting the sterring arm off. While I had it apart, I also did a brake job. Finding someone to turn the rotors wasn't easy either. I replaced the ball joints at the same time. I had to find a shop to press them in but later found a tool to do the job that was less expensive then paying a shop to press them in. Get a haynes book at the local autoparts store and it will give you an idea of what is involved. There are a couple special tools you need to get it apart. One is a special size socket for the hubs. Schucks rents the tools, but you can also buy one. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

11-29-2006, 01:39 AM	#3
RED72blazer urban fourwheelin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,007	Re: I broke stuff... I have a hub tool and I'm a mechanic so I have access to a lathe, I'm not interested in swapping the gears in my axles, but if I found a set with 3.73 i'd pick them up and rebuild them then swap them in. I found a set on craigslist but he doesn't know the gearing, I want to go take a look at them and figure it out. I guess I just need some advice or opinions, rebuild what I have and keep the 3.07 gears or find some 3.73 rebuild them and swap them out. I just don't know where to go for parts. __________________ 1972 K5 Blazer with Cummins 4BT, NV4500 swap in the parts gathering stage.

11-29-2006, 07:07 AM	#4
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,764	Re: I broke stuff... I have a list of Dana numbers, get the number off of the axle tube to the right of the pumpkin. Or you can count revolutions, brake drum to pinion. just my .02 __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

11-29-2006, 11:38 AM	#5
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: I broke stuff... With the 33's you have on the rig, you need some lower gearing. 3.73's would make the rig much more driveable. Have you considered looking for a set of 3/4 or 1 ton axles and swapping? I would think that you should be able to find some 1/2 ton axles fairly easily since so many people swap out to the heavier duty axles. I believe that GreenMystChevy swapped out his 1/2 ton axles a couple years ago. You might see if he still has them. He is/was in Woodinville. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

11-29-2006, 12:42 PM	#6
Livrat Member #1049 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Troy Montana Posts: 3,940	Re: I broke stuff... I have both axles in 3:73's if you are interested in going that route.. I also have all of the parts you may need to fix what you have.. Feel free to give me a call Mark 206-406-2719

11-29-2006, 04:36 PM	#7
johnnywagon Sofa King. We, Todd, Ed. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Spokane, Wa. Posts: 631	Re: I broke stuff... I agree with BouncyTruck. The effort and expense of going 3/4 ton isn't a whole lot more than rebuilding the 1/2 ton stuff. EXCEPT for the new wheels & tires. Im not positive but I think most 73 & up 3/4 trucks are a "simple" bolt in on the front diff. The rear might require new perches. Anyway, thats how it went when I used a 77 3/4 pickup as a donor for my 71 Blazer. __________________ ~John 71 Blazer One Ton 65 Chevelle Station Wagon x2 59 Belair 2 Door 71 Chevy Open Road Van RV www.myspace.com/johnnywagon

11-29-2006, 07:16 PM	#8
RED72blazer urban fourwheelin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,007	Re: I broke stuff... I don't do much heavy four wheeling, and since I'm really short and my girls even shorter, 33's and a 4 inch lift is as high as I want go. so I'm not sure I would really benefit from a 3/4 ton conversion...Plus I think I would like to keep it closer to stock, not really sure why... do you guys think 3.73 will make a huge difference? it's not to bad with what's in it which I believe are 3.07. __________________ 1972 K5 Blazer with Cummins 4BT, NV4500 swap in the parts gathering stage.

11-29-2006, 08:01 PM	#9
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: I broke stuff... I think you will see better performance off the line and improved MPG. 3.73s is about right for 33's. I'm running 3.07s on my stock 235/85R16s (about 31") and I wouldn't mind swapping to 3.73s. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

11-30-2006, 03:51 PM	#10
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: I broke stuff... I thought most if not all 4X4's were 3:73? My 72 Blazer has 3:73 and the other option was 4:11's? If I was swapping 3:73 would be the minimum and 4:11's would be my goal. I have a 4:11 in my 2wd with 33's and it smokes the tires and get OK rpm going down the road. It'll eventually get an OD 4l80e/6.0 motor.

11-30-2006, 04:30 PM	#11
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: I broke stuff... 3:07 was the "standard". 3:73's were the option. I don't think any Blazers came from the factory with 4:10s. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

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