Drive Train Questions
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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New User
Joined: May 2004
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From: live in Colorado, school is in New York
Originally Posted by mark a.
Personaly I'd hold out for a 3/4 ton if your planning to run tires that big. A 6" lift will work, but it'll look like it needs more. I ended up putting a 3" body lift on mine also.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
Brad, it all depends on how you use your truck. If you keep to the road, then your drivetrain can handle the 38s, although it will cause your components such as breaks, balljoints, etc. to wear quicker. If you actually plan to wheel this truck off-road, then you will be breaking axles, plan and simple. 38" Swampers are a great strain even on 3/4 axles when used in serious off-roading. There are many, many threads on this very topic in the off-road forum if you wish to search for them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
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binbuilder : I think a 3" body lift would be fine for 31" tires. I put a Energy Suspension polyurethane bushing kit on also. After a week I retightened all the bolts.It rides good and doesn't make any weird noises.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Grande Prairie, AB
I gots a 78 1/2 ton with 360.
I got new 39.5 swampers on there. Took er out yesterday for a test, tried goin up a really steep but short sandy hill. Heard a snap, could still turn the wheels but every half turn would make a funny noise. I took off the drive shaft and drove home with the front end.
Took out the axle shafts, they are fine. Took out the guts, and the ring gear is broke, not the gear itself but the plate that bolts to it, whatever it is. Few peices floating around in there.
But yeah, like everyone says, unless you enjoy workin on this stuff and dont mind breakin stuff (like me) then go 3/4 or 1 ton style.
I always thought that the axle shafts would be the first to break, maybe mine was already stressed and just needed a bit of torque to blow er.
I got new 39.5 swampers on there. Took er out yesterday for a test, tried goin up a really steep but short sandy hill. Heard a snap, could still turn the wheels but every half turn would make a funny noise. I took off the drive shaft and drove home with the front end.
Took out the axle shafts, they are fine. Took out the guts, and the ring gear is broke, not the gear itself but the plate that bolts to it, whatever it is. Few peices floating around in there.
But yeah, like everyone says, unless you enjoy workin on this stuff and dont mind breakin stuff (like me) then go 3/4 or 1 ton style.
I always thought that the axle shafts would be the first to break, maybe mine was already stressed and just needed a bit of torque to blow er.
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