"Intermediate" Step for Axle Assembly Upgrades Nowadays?

[The Last Cowboy]

My plan is to go with TruTracs front and rear, steel knuckles and 4.10-4.30 or so gears and 34s. I'll keep my M186/D30 (which is actually significantly stronger than an old D30) and possibly add RCV axles and a truss. Since I will never have tires larger than 35", I think I will be more than okay.

As for the wide track axle on the front only, it's not really an issue, and nearly no one would know just by looking at it. For years GM built blazers and pickups with a wider front axle. I liked it because the front and rear tires each got a little extra traction that way due to differing track widths.

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[dxjeeper]

If you’re only going to 35s and you know you’re staying there then I think a d30 will be fine. Even with either an auto locker or selectable locker up front.

in my experience trails that say “at least one locker necessary” can be defeated with some smart line choice, at least near me.

I’ve been running 35s on my d30/d44 combo for quite a while.

What gears are you running for those?

 

[Jtclayton612]

What gears are you running for those?

my 3.45s lol. I am planning on going to 37” or 38” so I’m just going to get larger axles at some point. If I was going to stay on 35s I would just get 4.88s

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

my 3.45s lol. I am planning on going to 37” or 38” so I’m just going to get larger axles at some point. If I was going to stay on 35s I would just get 4.88s

I did the same.. I ran 35" on stock Sport axles ... it was ok for off-roading.. no issues .. well.. unless you needed lockers.. LOL

 

[LiVinIt]

I found a brand new set of Rubi takeoffs, and they were a bit pricey. I did all the work myself in a weekend so it took the sting out of it.
I did the Lasfit switches the prior weekend.
Very happy with the results.

 

[c20040215]

My plan is to go with TruTracs front and rear, steel knuckles and 4.10-4.30 or so gears and 34s. I'll keep my M186/D30 (which is actually significantly stronger than an old D30) and possibly add RCV axles and a truss. Since I will never have tires larger than 35", I think I will be more than okay.

As for the wide track axle on the front only, it's not really an issue, and nearly no one would know just by looking at it. For years GM built blazers and pickups with a wider front axle. I liked it because the front and rear tires each got a little extra traction that way due to differing track widths.

Estimated costs:

Regear - $2500
TruTacs front and rear - $1200
RCV front - $1400
Truss + labor - $500

Grand total - $5600

Axle swap M210+M220 is about $5000. You get E lockers, bigger brakes, and 4.1 gear which works pretty good for 34s. Adding RCV to M186 only increase the possibility of a blown diff.

That is just my opinion.

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