Sinking Creek 4WD Association

Hello All,
As some of you know I have a 1988 GMC Jimmy with a 6.2 in it. Ive been slowly fixing her up since ive been home this summer to DD. I am down to my last major issue with it, the old rear blew up and I have been considering my options. I have decided that I want to buy a gasser 1/2 ton with 3.73's to replace both axles. I want it to be 88-91 so I will have the 30 spline axles. This probably sounds retarded, but I have been unsuccessful combing the local pick and pulls for the correct rear (3.42 6 lug 30 spline 10 bolts arnt the most common). And I have decided that it is more economical to buy a complete truck and part it out after i snag that axles. Another point is that the 3.73's will be a better gear with my 33's and the 6.2 for DD. Alot of guys on ColoradoK5 say that the lower stock gears that came with the 6.2 make the transmission hunt with larger tires.

With that being said (I just wanted to explain myself) I am looking to spend a max of $500 on anything from a set of 1/2 axles with 3.73's to an enitre truck. Im not sure what everyone has laying around, but I figured Id ask around.

Thanks,
Alec

My opinion, you are on the right track, though I would look for a 14 bolt SF 9.5 inch rear with 3.73's. Even for DD use I wouldn't bother with a 10 bolt. If you look around hard enough you can find one out of a IFS truck cheap, or find one from a 84ish-91 3/4 ton truck (8 lug) and buy cheap replacement 6 lug axles (Baber has an thread he made on here and Pirate about those axles and replacements.

You might want to look for a 3/4 ton pickup to buy and part. That way you should get a 14 SF and front 10 bolt likely with 3.73's. Won't be 30 spline front, but IMO save your money for a set on chromo axles if you need the strength. 28 spline isn't that much weaker then the 30's.

jac6695 wrote:My opinion, you are on the right track, though I would look for a 14 bolt SF 9.5 inch rear with 3.73's. Even for DD use I wouldn't bother with a 10 bolt. If you look around hard enough you can find one out of a IFS truck cheap, or find one from a 84ish-91 3/4 ton truck (8 lug) and buy cheap replacement 6 lug axles (Baber has an thread he made on here and Pirate about those axles and replacements.

You might want to look for a 3/4 ton pickup to buy and part. That way you should get a 14 SF and front 10 bolt likely with 3.73's. Won't be 30 spline front, but IMO save your money for a set on chromo axles if you need the strength. 28 spline isn't that much weaker then the 30's.

That sounds like a good plan, but I'm flipping this truck. I want a fast straight forward replacement for the problem. Thanks for the input, I'll def keep that in mind while Im looking around.

Cool. If you are flipping it, I wouldn't limit yourself to a somewhat rare 30 spline front 10 bolt. Just look for anything from 77-up.

jac6695 wrote:Cool. If you are flipping it, I wouldn't limit yourself to a somewhat rare 30 spline front 10 bolt. Just look for anything from 77-up.

Yeah, I have decided not to let period correctness get in my way. I am looking for anything that will work at this point. Thanks for your input.

I'll keep my eye out for you.

Got what I was looking for.

where are the thornbirds?