Ready to go 1 Ton/K5

[swyfor5]

Wow, I just downloaded Ballistic's complete catalog. I didn't realize they make everything from A to Z. From what I see, it all looks good.

[swyfor5]

Good news for me, Boss just let my crew know, prepare to live at the plant. Major overtime coming up for next few months. Very good for the K5 cash fund, should be able to set up some upgrades for these 1 ton axles. Still have to find a building for my build! Gonna work on getting the axles out of the yard and into my small garage until spring. Not enough room in garage for wife's Envoy, snowmobiles and etc. Not to mention the garage header is too low for my K5 as it sits. Has anybody used Ballistic fabrications 14 bolt rear disc brake adapter bracket setups? They look good, and the price is right. Just wondering if anyone has used them on a 1st Gen yet?

[swyfor5]

Been sitting here making a list of stuff that I'm going to sell as I upgrade. The list is getting pretty long, and looks good for some of you guy's looking for more "stock" type buildups. I hate to get rid of anything, packrat that I am, but am not going to need some of this stuff soon. Have to offset some costs somehow, list of stuff coming soon!

[swyfor5]

Brain in high gear now, looking at new rubber. 40-42". Any suggestions here for this type setup?

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Brain in high gear now, looking at new rubber. 40-42". Any suggestions here for this type setup?

Even with alloy shafts in the D60, a 42 is as big as you'd want to go if your gonna wheel it much.

You'll want to consider drivability I'm guessing, going with a radial would be the way to go but finding a radial in those sizes could limit the choices.

Believe it or not, there's a huge difference between and 40 & a 42" tire.

If those are your two tire choices, I'd stay with the 40" tire unless your really going to get into rock crawling.
When I went to 42's from my 39.5's, it was night/day difference in the rocks but they pretty much ruined the street manners.

What are you doing for a lift to clear those meats?

[swyfor5]

As always, thank's again VT for the heads up info. I'm with you on a 40" tire probably being tall enough for my app. I am currently running the 39.5 TSL swampers with no issues. Oh, except for the highway manners, being bias ply and all. I trimmed my frt and rear fenders some when I ran 35" BFG mud terrains w/4" lift years ago. Plan on some more trimming, as in remove frt fangs,etc, as I move on. I also don't plan on my rig being a serious rock crawler, so a 40" radial tire should be about right. Currently running 8" superlift springs frt and back. Still have a set of 4" blocks in the rear, soon to be removed. Plan on a shackle flip setup to help there. When I swap in these 1 ton axles I want to go with 17" wheels and tires. Anybody got pic's of 40"-42" rubber setups? Thank's everybody for your input on this thread, it helps alot!

[swyfor5]

As always, I have the best wife in the world. Tax return time is coming and sure she is going to throw some $$ my way. Ballistic here I come!

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Anybody got pic's of 40"-42" rubber setups? Thank's everybody for your input on this thread, it helps alot!

I was running 42's on my blue blazer with a 6" lift.

Minor trimming in the rear, not so minor trimming up front.

[swyfor5]

Yes sir! I remember those pic's! I love that look.

[swyfor5]

Well, after looking, and looking, I just ordered up a rear disc conversion kit for my 14 bolt. Ended up going with DIY4X, the brackets just look stouter. Now gotta look for a set of rotors, calipers, pads, and some hardware. Parts and more parts!

[SeventyOne]

40" MTRs would be a nice riding tire and come in a 17" rim. Don't think they make them anymore but I just got new 37" MTRs on ebay super cheap. good luck.

[swyfor5]

Goodyear site say's still going strong and for sale, just kinda expensive! Make it in a 40x13.5R17, and a 42x14.5R17. MTR tread looks real offroad usable, but how are they on the highway at that size? Also very pricey, 40"s, run around $460.00 each, and 42"s, run around $480.00 each. I think I'll look harder at the 40", because I think 13.5" wide would be better for my app here.Thought's?

[swyfor5]

Just a q here, setting up the rear disc conversion on the 14 bolt rear end. Any help as to venders here that could set me up with the brake parts needed here for this swap? Got the bracket kit coming from DIY, just need all the other brake components to go with!

[SeventyOne]

should just need chevy 77" 3/4 ton front rotors and calipers. Can get them from kragen/autozone/anyplace.

Helluva deal if you wanted 37"s
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-Goo...item439d751d74

Here's 40's for $290 a tire.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-NEW...item5637067588

Deals are out there...snatch em up!

[swyfor5]

Yea, I was just trying to support our venders here. Another dumb question about the rotors, calipers, and such. I know I need them for a 3/4 ton frt end, but is there a difference between 2wd and 4wd, as in part numbers, I mean?

[SeventyOne]

Not sure but get 4x4 just to be safe.

You gunna snatch up those dirt cheap 40's?

[swyfor5]

No, wish I could, bad timing! Gonna keep looking at other 40" tires, but really like the MTR's. Gotta set up these axles under the K5 first, then figure out what to regear the axles to:currently running 3:73, want to change to ? Want to be offroad usable, but still streetable to the offroad events! Also, want this rig to be road legal as much as as possible!

[SeventyOne]

What tranny you running? I'm going to run 4.56's with 37" tires, but have a 700r4 OD tranny. If you have an OD, w/ 40's I would run 4.88s - should get you nice acceleration and the OD will keep you low on the highway. W/o OD maybe stick with 4.56 just to keep the highway RPMs manageable. There is a site that does the calculations for you and can even do a side by side comparison. Might be on grim jeepers site.

Here it is
http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

Play around with the settings so you like what you see.

[swyfor5]

Thank's 71. I am running the 465/4 speed manual trans. I have played with the calculator before and just can't make a decision on what ratio to run. Leaning towards 4:56's. K5 won't see a lot of highway miles, but want to keep it somewhat streetable.

[SeventyOne]

I would run the highest you can with still keeping the highway RPMs at a reasonable level - FOR YOU. If you think spinning at 3grand on the highway is cool go with whatever rear ratio yields that RPM at 65mph.

On a 465 is 4th gear a 1:1 or OD? Never had a manual tranny...

[swyfor5]

Calculator say's, 1st. gear is 6.56, 2nd gear is 3.58, 3rd gear is 1.70, and 4th gear is 1. Calc. also say's road speed with 4:56's at 78 mph puts rpm at 3000. Don't plan on running 78 much, with the 40's and all. Any thoughts? 4.56 gears sound about right to me here. 4 speed 1st gear should give me any extra low end grunt here right?

[Burt4x4]

I love my SM465
Even when I was dayly drivin it, solid

[SeventyOne]

Yea 4.56s sound good then.

Did you get your 1 tons from a CUCV truck? They will already have 4.56 then...

[swyfor5]

I wish. No both have 3:73 ratio. Got em off ebay and the price was right. Just need to set em up with 4:56's now. Thinking about adding a locker in the rear, but not really sure if I "need" it.

[swyfor5]

Thinking more about the rear locker setup. Any advice on which one to go with here? Want the lock up, but decent streetability too.