Posted by Ben on March 30, 04 at 08:20:46:
In Reply to: Been there! Done that! posted by Jim on March 30, 04 at 02:17:23:
Mine was 1973 K5 Blazer.
After breaking a few things and trying to tow buddies boats/TT's, decided to change out front to Dana60 and GM 14 bolt rear. 4.1's with 33/12.5X16.5 14 or 16 ply (can't remember anymore).
Forget about trying to save the 6 bolt wheels, know of no 1 ton axles with 6 bolt wheels. All 8 bolt.
Get the positive arched front springs. That will raise it about 2 inches more.
With 35 inchers, 4.1's may not be enough and 4.56's better choice.
Weak link will be the tranny. Burned out 3 on the K5 and when sold at +255K miles, needing another. Had two plate coolers and what saved it from even more burned trannies. Even in compound low burned one out climbing from about 4K feet to about 10K feet in Idaho wilderness area (panhandle).
Lots of U-Joints with any suspension lift and off roading. Especially if you go fast and get lots of air or mini unloads, as the angle goes up and in compound low tons of torque. Mine had over sized and they still got eaten up off roading. Learn to change them fast and carry right tool set.
Lifts (suspension) and towing do not go well together. Reduces capacity. How much is any bodies guess. Ditto larger tires, but going to higher numeric diff ratio helps, but still reduced capacity.
Bottom line: fun stuff and will help, but not cure all. Weak component will now be the tranny & drive train up to the diff's.