Has anyone done a full 3/4 ton running gear swap on their 40 what do I need to do to get it done. Should I use the springs from the 3/4 ton or get different springs 700r4 tranny 205 case what should I be looking for with this. Any help would be great. Also is anyone using a 700r4 setup and how does it work Thanks guys
I AM TRYING TO GET A GOOD WHEELER/DAILY DRIVER/ WIDER STANCE RIG I AM AFRAID THAT MY TRANS AND CASE WONT HOLD UP TO THE MOTOR AND WHILE i HAVE IT APART i MIGHT AS WELL DO IT RIGHT. i AM JUST WONDERING IF IT IS GOING TO BE MORE HASSLE THAN IT IS WORTH OR IF IT IS A GOOD MOD. I HAVE THE FULL RUNNING GEAR OUT OF AN 82 CHEVY SUBURBAN AND WANT TO USE IT ITS A WORK IN PROGRESS
One of the reasons I'm considering going to a 3/4 ton swap from the engine back is that the brakes on the rear axel are easy to get parts for and HUGE. Once you go center drop you can use an Atlas (or an NP), and you can go to a wider stance - and it's pretty tough. That's without talking about the 700 tranny.
I wouldn't bother with a 205. The low range sucks. Look into adapting a Dana 300 with a 4:1 gear set. If you're going to spend the money, spend it on the right stuff the first time. Hunt around for a 60 front. A 44/10-bolt is hardly an upgrade from a slightly modified Cruiser front axle.
You didnt say what kind of motor your putting in your cruiser...
Why do you need a "wider stance"?
how much horsepower is you new motor gonna have?
first you must address these questions...
Unless you building a motor that more than 300 hp you will not need a new drive train, is you rig gonna be SOA? your axles with some bigger tires and rims will be wide enough, and are in most cases stronger than 3/4 ton axles.
On the other hand if your going to race this rig around in the city... maybe you should build the suburban.
buy a blazer and save yourself a lot of work sell the cruiser to someone who will like it for what it is have run 455 olds and 501 caddys with no major problems dont need chevy running gear goog luck
NO BLAZER FOR ME. I am still in the contemplation stage of this project. My motor should be right about 300 hp. The Trans is a 700r4 the t/c is a 208 aluminum case. I know the fj axles are stout but with that trans and case my drivelines wont be right. I do plan an SOA so i am just trying to get an Idea while I have it apart instead of doing it later down the road. Thanks ya all
You have to be more specific when you say 3/4 ton running gear. Some 3/4 tons have Dana60's (rarely) which are arguably the best axle to run on a trail rig, but more often than not they run 8 lug half ton gear that is over rated in the first place and no stronger than the cruiser gear. Sell your chevy axles and spend it on after market birfs, good lockers and gears for your cruiser.
I have checked out some of the hybrid axles that people have built using cruiser ceneters and mini truck axel tubes and shafts. If I were looking for a centered axle I'd go that route and get some cro mo shafts from Marlin or All Pro.
Haveing a little lower first and an overdrive shouldn't be too hard on your axles, especially if you are keeping the I6.
What springs you should run is a function mostly of how heavy a load they have to carry, not what kind of axles they are sitting on. A 40 on 3/4 ton springs will likely ride like crap. My 78 3/4 ton chevy wieghs in at 5400 lbs at the dump scale, and my 40 is probably 1500 lbs or more less than that. You migth find the chevy springs flex well though, if you remove some of the leaves from the pack. Of course then your ride height will be unpredictable, you'll just have to assemble it to see.
I'd probably sell the whole suburban (or turn it in to a tow rig) for cash to buy good Cruiser parts
