hey guys long time no chat.
i've decided its time to put some money into my truck(s) first off i have one that needs a new ring and pinion so im looking at axels to swap into my crew cab and just take the rear axel out of my working truck and putting it under the one that needs the ring and pinion.. seems easier too me.. but my question on that is will a set of 99 superdutys work under me 97, i would like to do the swap because of 4 wheel disc brakes and higher gear ratio for my truck sitting on 36's instead of my 4:10s.. if they will work does anybody know if my 16" wheels will clear the rotors? after that i am in need of a clutch, i've asked this here before but want to ask again valair or south bend, im not looking to go past stage 1 and not looking to tow over 10k so would the step up from stock on either be ok? and lastly..well kinda lastly cause i'm gonna wait on the hpop till after my injectors. i know everybody here likes jim at rosewood but i've been doing a lot of reading and looking at other companies so im curious to see what your thoughts are on what you are personally using, how long you have used it, and what if any issues you have had...
That is all for know, i will prolly think of more in a minute but feel this is a good start.. Thanks in advance guys i love hearing multiple opinions before i go out and spend a few k...
Bryan

 

Simple answer is yes but in any practical sense no.

Yes the axles will go into your truck, but the lug pattern is different so your wheels will be useless, that and I doubt a 16" wheel will clear the brakes. What's wrong with the 5 speed, 4.10s and 36 tires combo, sounds about right to me unless it's a highway queen.

MUCH easier and likely cheaper to use 97 and older axles or fix yours. Rear disc brakes on trucks are over rated.

 

16" wheels will clear. That's what they came with stock in 99. The switch to 17"s was in 2005.

 

Good point about the tires not swapping.. I guess you could call my truck a pavement queen..I use it for work which is driving on the road and highway..towing no more then 10k so I was thinking of gearing up anyhow because my first gear is awful low that no matter what snow or mud I got into the gearing would be the last if my woories..

 

That depends, do you mean 1st as in the second forward gear, or 1st as in the low gear, the first forward gear? The very 1st forward gear is a granny low that is only meant to be used when starting a heavy load. Otherwise in normal empty driving it's designed to be started in 2nd. FYI, I drive truck and often start in what you would consider 4th, but I have 10 gears.

When selecting ratios starting gearing is the second most important factor. More important is highway cruise RPM in high gear. With your ratios and tire size my math puts you about 1900 RPM at 65MPH and about 2200 RPM at 75MPH. This is just slightly high but depends more on your engine and what your driving style is like.

If you tend to drive 75MPH or more, your engine likes to be down under 2000RPM and you never intend to get larger tires then maybe a 3.73 is a little better giving you only about 2000RPM at 75MPH but only about 1450RPM at 55. This however would force you do spend time in 4th in traffic and shift back and forth more.

FYI 3.55s would be about 1900RPM @ 75MPH, but only about 1400RPM at 55. I mention 3.55s cause they are a common stock ratio so easier to swap. 3.73s unless you find some deal would likely have to be a complete new re-gear, while you could likely find used 3.55 stuff to swap in.