I Need Some Help

[pastorjimk]

My truck has been down for weeks now....
I have a 1983 4X4 with a 350/350TB (converted from a diesel). It has been a work horse and extreemly dependable. I WORK this truck! I have hauled wood and scrap metal locally sometimes weighing in as much as 17,000 lbs (I have 18,000 lb plates). As my name suggests I am a Pastor, I am in the middle of starting a church from scratch in a small town in SE Missouri and need this truck to help pay the bills while the church is still small. Several weeks ago I worked it a little too hard and crushed the spider gears.

Does anyone have or know where I can get (for a reasonable $$$) a rear axel or set of axels.

What I have (had): 10 bolt 8.5" carrier, 3.42 ring/pinion, 28 spline, 6 lug

I have a couple in the church who drive a truck and they are willing to pick up whatever I find (including a whole parts truck) while they are on the road.

[rich-white]

Pastor I live in St. Louis (south County) and have a 77 3/4 ton 4x4 that the body is rough on but the running gear is in excellent shape new rear springs new drive rear shaft newer tires less than 2k on tires newer exhaust. I'm taking the motor out of this truck to put in a 80 short bed. I don't know if this interests you but i'm close to you.

[pastorjimk]

Sounds interesting...Tell me more about it and what it is worth to you? What gears did you install? Do you want to part it or get rid of the whole thing?

I was just in St. Louis last Monday with another man from the church going through the U-Pull-It junk yards...NOTHING!!!!

I have had mine apart in my fathers garage now for about 6 weeks...we've got snow on the ground and I have had to cancel visits/services already.

[pastorjimk]

I am still looking...Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[rich-white]

Pastor if you want my 77 i'll take $700.00. I have a guy at work looking at it for $900.00 but you have first dids. I have over a grand in new trans, couple hundred in springs, newer rubber and runs down the road straight and very good and pulls like a horse. new brakes and master cylinder. Shes not pretty to look at but if you have a body your good to go. You can this truck as is (put a motor in) for quite a few years, just the rust has gotton to the bed, fenders, ect. floors still good. Call me if interested 314-985-9050 cell.

[white82]

if its just the rear spider gears 8.5 10 bolt why not put a new pumpkin in mabe a posi unit u should be able to do that yourself there is no trouble as u dont have to mesh ur gears just use the same shims

[pastorjimk]

I've been looking for 2 months now for another carrier (posi or limited slip) with zero success

[white82]

Try Summit Or Jegs.com

[pastorjimk]

I've been looking for 2 months now for another carrier (posi or limited slip) with zero success I also need both axel shafts! My ring gear and pinion were "eaten" in the blowout also. By the time I buy all new parts I would be over 1,000.

[white82]

u should be able to find a rearend some even a 1/2 ton 5 lug should work but i would go heaver like 3/4 ton even though u will 6 lug on front and 8 lug on rear on a 5 lug axle i beleave the rearend will bolt right in other thean the different bolt pattern check ur local savage yards i bet theres a million of 73 to 87s laying around

[pastorjimk]

I've checked salvage yards within a 2 hour drive. If they have the part (like the one just 3 miles from my house) they want some outragious amount for it ($600) Most did not have anything "that old" but if they did they would want $300. Wouldn't you know that they ones who have it want to rip you off and the ones that don't are kind, friendly and willing to give a guy a break!!!!

[white82]

sounds like a road trip coming on for what they want is kinda of steep unless its a 3/4 ton 14 bolt which can get kinda high 2 to 300 is about what they go for here in tx unless its a rip in the paints kinda place like u talk abouti solt a 5 lug not long ago for 100 but i dont have anymore laying around i myself need a front dif for a 1/2 ton 4x4 82 model

[pastorjimk]

I have about 6 different locals searching for anything that might work. I have driven over the countryside in search of trucks tucked off in the weeds. I found lots, but all of them were so abused that the rear end was either destroyed already or so worn that I didn't think it would be worth the time to do the swap.

[white82]

ok guys and girls ,lets help this man of God,does anyone with a spare rearend 3/4 or 1/2 ton with 3.42s thats willing to part with it

[Russell]

Too bad he isn't from Alberta, I'd give him a full floating 14 bolt with 3.73s, open diff for free, help install it too...

[jared stewart]

Probably doesn't help you much, but I've got a 3/4 ton rear axle that I'd sell for $150, but it has 4:10 gears and I'm pretty sure it's open. Located in Northeast Missouri.

[pastorjimk]

You guys are great!
Too bad you are so far away Russell, I'd take you up on that offer!!!
Jared, That would be a great deal from what I have found. If it wasn't open I would probably be very tempted to take you up on that.

It would be nice to find a 1/2 ton, 6 lug, posi or limited slip.
My next best option is to fund a 3/4 ton with good front and rear (with a posi or limited in the rear) that I could just swap both axels out.

I am willing to travel a little ways to pick them up and a man in the church is willing to go with me to help. We have the means to either take apart or haul home complete anything we find. He has a 1 ton dually and trailer to help me retrieve whatever I need. If you know of something that might work but can't do the dirty work to help me, just point me in the right direction and we'll take if from there!!!

[rich-white]

pastor Jim i will call you tomorrow (Thursday) on the 3/4 ton I have. Been in a truck this week and no time to call. (actually I sound like a lot of people but they have no time for god... Screwed up priorities )

[pastorjimk]

Rich, I preach at the county jail at 4:00 and then I will be visiting in the community from 6:30-8:30 or so...

[nite53]

I have a matching pair (front & back) of 8 lug differentials from a 4WD with springs. I think it was a 1984. I'd take $300.00 for all of it! It's near Myrtle Beach, though! Good excuse for a road trip!!!!!!!

[pastorjimk]

That's a fair price...when can I expect you to arrive with them???

My wife is a GREAT cook, I'll make sure your well fed while your here

[BIGCHEVYMAN]

pastor i have a couple 1/2 ton chevy rears. 1-10 bolt and 1-12 bolt and a 14 bolt i have been using for parts. if you are willing to come and get one you can take your pick(free of charge). let me know john c.

[pastorjimk]

Thank you Bigchevyman!!!!!

If I am looking at the map correctly you are north of Nashville...That's about 4 hours or so away...

Are ANY of those axels Posi, 6 lug by chance?

[BIGCHEVYMAN]

yup i'm only 8 miles from ky. they are both 5 lug and i'm not sure if either has any type of locker or anything. i haven't even took the covers off of them. the rears are at my farm that is about 30 minutes drive from my house.let me know if you want one and if possible i will pull it for you.

[pastorjimk]

Folks,
I really appreciate all of you responding to my posts!!!

Currently I am still in search of just the right parts in a location that is close enough that makes it reasonable for me to get them. I can'b bring myself to "settle" for an open rear axel. I know that I won't be happy with it and can't see spending the money and time putting in something that I know I won't like.

I am still waiting on Rich-White to contact me with info about his truck. I would like to verify that it is a posi or locker and would really like to see pictures. I need to know how soon you would like to move it as I am still trying to come up with that amount of money!!! It is a great deal no doubt for what you offered...

Bigchevyman, I am looking for 6 lug axels to match what I've got so I don't think I can use what you have unless you have a posi or locker in the 10 bold that is 8.5"

Thanks again Guys!!!! This is a really great site for Chevy trucks.