if you want a truck with 4 wheeling option and daily driver take a look in my gallery at my 79.....this truck has 35's and 3.54's with a 400m (429 in shed for it) I tore the 3.54's out of the rear and was running 4.10's and I could tell the differnce in gas milage...espically on the 1200 mile trip back home after I tore the 3.54's out with the 460 4.11's and 35 you will have a decent daily driver and a great mud truck one other option would be get a 5 speed for o/d to help on gas milage... and with 35's most people have to look up to you.

 

At the age of 14, i know what yer goin through! im on my second truck now, a 76 F150 with a 390, 4 speed, Dana21 tcase, 9inch rear with 35 spline axles, and Dana 44 front with HD Spicer Sahfts and u-joints. (Bought it like that! $1100!) Id say you've got a real solid base there for a kick *** truck. I've got 33's and a limited slip rear and i just point it, deep mud, go faster. But anyway, i would say that on a budget such as ours, i would stay with 4.10's get smaller tires, maybe 36/38 with the 460, you'd get really good performance offroad with 35's, and ok with 38's. But yer gas mileage is gonna suck with the bigger tires. A lot depends on how yer gonna use the truck, like is it gonna have to get ya to work every day? or just a toy for weekends? With them big axle of yours, you wont have to worry about breakin anything, thats for sure. About the locker situation. A Detroit is bullet proof, and you get what you pay for, (around 600 for D70) thats probably what ill do. For me, an ARB is out out of the question, 800-900 bucks! And youve gotta worry about a compressor and air lines, not worth it that i can see. just so you can select when you use it. A Detroit is always there, will always be there, a good unit. My last truck, a 1980 f-250, 4x4 of course had factory limited slip differentials front and rear. You know how they work?Well, yer gonna find out. Most L/S's are of the clutch design, DanaSpicer traclock, Eaton posi-traction, etc. They are a huge improvement over an open diff, and cheaper than most lockers, but they dont work near so well. If some traction is available, you will get both tires turning most of the time. But in this situation, (it happened to me) both tires on the passenger side are in a deep rut, your spinning but still moving, getting all 4 pulling. but once you stop moveing forward,(still spinning) just the 2 in the rut will spin becasue there is no torque available to the other side. but say you shove something under the tries in trhe rut and find some traction, both the other 2 tires will begin t pull again. thats with l/s's at both ends. but some are better than others, and there are also gear adn cone type limited slips.A better choice for traction usually. Since most use clutches that have to slip to go around a corner, they do wear out, adn performance is affected for the worst. the rear in my F-250 is almost usless, but the front still works pretty well since its not always in use. the Detroit TruTrac is a gear type and will not wear out. Something i would consider is a junkyard PowrLok limited slip. They came stock in many applications including D70. they offer good traction for a L/S nad use steel clutches so they will last until you can put up the dough for a detroit. but you would have to rebuild the unit with new clutches, once you got it.

Now thats all wonderful, adn youve learned something today but a Detroit is probably your best option. Do you know how to set up gears? I mean well? Im a competent wrench and i wouldnt touch them. The right set up is the difference between yer new set lasting 2000 km or the life of the truck. Im gonna get someone who knows whatt theyre doin when i put up the cash a detroit. Are there any 4x4 Shops around your place? if so, hang around there, get known, and talk to them, they know what theyre doin and can help with any problems you come across. i woud've killed to have some body around, but there arent many 4 wheel shops in canada. too bad eh.

 

wow, thankyou for your opinion

 

what about a real good set of 35" mud tires. The 4.10 is perfect (IMHO) for those tires. The 460 will be a beast laying down rubber at every redlight. Start small with this truck. You will soon learn that you dont need 44s. The places that require that size tire will only get you in trouble and be very costly when something breaks. The 460/NP435/NP205/D60/70 is a bulletproof set up but 44s could be Full Metal Jackets IMHO
Right now Im building a 79 F250 with D60s front and rear with 4" suspension and body lift to be determined. I want wide tires like Micky Thompsons 35 x 17.50. Im sure 35' boggers will follow slick 44" tires Give it a shot.

 

Oh, On a budget! Think about a spool. Especially if you decide to ditch the 44s