axle/tires

[kylec5381]

i have a 85 chevy half ton and was wondering how big a tire i could run without breaking axles, it sees mostly only trails and mud bogs, and maybe 100 miles a month on road

[YJ_Aaron]

Are you going to put lockers in?  

How much HP are you putting out?

auto or manual?

[kylec5381]

i dont know about lockers for that money i can pick up a set of one ton axels that are complete lug nut to lug nut; im running an auto, and the truck has a roller 305(dont know who in their right mind buillt a roller 305 but whatever) but workin on building a 327 maybe around 400 ponies, what ya think. P.S. just dont have the money for the axels just yet, but they arent going anywhere, so buildin the 327 1st

[YJ_Aaron]

35's is about the biggest you can go with lockers.  Your truck has a 10bolt front which is marginally weaker than a 44.  There are a lot of us in the club who've broken 44's with 35-36's.  Not to mention that was with 6ers and only 2/3 the weight.

If you stay open you might be able to pull off 37's.

[kylec5381]

i hear you talking about the front and that is kinda what i expected, but what about the rear ? is it worth locking?or should i just wait a buy the one ton axles

[YJ_Aaron]

Is the rear a 10 or 12 bolt?

[kylec5381]

im just getting into wheeling so heres a question, the question you just asked me is it as simple as it sounds, just count the bolts holding the cover on, if so its got 10 bolt holes(only 8 bolts in it though :pat: ) i think it has lower geard in it though not sure whjat they would be

[YJ_Aaron]

If no one has messed with it there is a metal tag being held on by 2 of the bolts.  

This is a really good chart for IDing what axles you have.  85 I'm thinking you have 10 bolts front and rear.  Easy to tell with their round cover and 2 little pieces of cast hanging down.

http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

[kylec5381]

yep thats them, no id ring though

[YJ_Aaron]

If your ever gonna go above 35's or 36's with this truck then I wouldn't waste $$ on lockers for them.  

If it were me and I was dead set that I needed a locker i'd weld the rear( NOT RECOMENDED) if your just getting into this.  Also you can search ebay for a used locker.

[kylec5381]

well like i said for the money of a locker or a little more i can get axels out of a 1 ton chevrolet for 300 bucks and that includes 36 inch military tires

[YJ_Aaron]

If you can get 1 ton axles for $300 and don't buy them... your an idiot.  That's an awesome deal.

[kylec5381]

thats funny at least your honest, what do they usually go for

[kylec5381]

the guy even said he would help me put them in, and is holding onto them for me, they are out of a military style chevrolet, so i think they will bolt right in, but will they be wider, im going to look at them tommarow to see whats up

[YJ_Aaron]

They won't bolt right in but will be close.  If they are out of a CUCV i think is the abbreviation with detroit and 4:56's the set will sell for $800 +.