Axle Selection?

MickeyD

New Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Location
Fort Bragg
I have an 04 Colorado and want to beef it up a little with new axles. Only thing is I don't know where to start. I'm new to modifying a truck to that extent. It has IFS and an AAM 8" rearend. I'm on another forum for these trucks but haven't really got the answers I'm looking for yet. I have been leaning towards dana 44 or larger but some have told me to use corp 10 or 14 bolts. I don't really want an axle that sticks out to far. I have been searching to see what the axle specs are on different types of axle but have not been successful.
 
What are you looking to do with it? What size tires do you plan to run ?

Are you wanting to swap out the IFS stuff for a solid axle?
 
Not looking any larger than 35's. I want to replace both, put a solid axle under the front and a stronger axle under the rear.
 
MickeyD said:
Not looking any larger than 35's. I want to replace both, put a solid axle under the front and a stronger axle under the rear.
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I'd go with a full width Dana 44 front, and either a 12 bolt or Ford 9" in the rear.
 
I think pre-80s were passenger drop and after 80 was drivers drop. My years are probably wrong but I am almost positive that both side drops were available at some point. I'm sure someone with more waggy experience would be able to specify what years you need.

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MickeyD said:
If I went that route and got the D44 out of a ford I should be able to match lug patterns right?
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D44 from a Ford will be driver side drop. Your Colorado should be passenger side drop I believe. That is why I suggested the D44/12 bolt combo. You should be able to find that setup cheap under a 75-77 Blazer or pickup. I think they started using the 10 bolt front around 78, then did away with the 12 bolt around 80/81 and went to a 10 bolt rear. If you don't want to use the 12 bolt, then get a 9", and buy new 6 lug shafts. A 12 bolt is still a pretty strong axle, and should hold 35's under your midsize pickup for normal trail riding.
 
How hard is it to shorten axles that are way to wide? I've seen on Extreme 4x4 where he's cut down the length of axle but had to get custom axle shafts for them.
 
easier think would be to very small offset wheels. if you get an 8 lug set up, use hummer wheels and that should make it fit better.
 
MickeyD said:
How hard is it to shorten axles that are way to wide? I've seen on Extreme 4x4 where he's cut down the length of axle but had to get custom axle shafts for them.
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Why do you want to shorten/narrow them? Full width 1/2 ton axles would be just right under your truck. Unless you want it to be tall and top heavy so it will flop over.
 
drkelly said:
Why do you want to shorten/narrow them? Full width 1/2 ton axles would be just right under your truck. Unless you want it to be tall and top heavy so it will flop over.
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The additional 3" on each side would have a better since of stability. My only reason for keeping it close to the original width is that it will continue to be a daily driver till I can get a second vehicle and not sure how it would look. I'm sure that would push the insides of my tires past the finder. I'm looking for both looks, highway drivability and function but also have the capabilities to hit the trails.
 
I just like the wide and low stance. I think trucks look good with the tires sticking out from under the fenders.
 
My biggest concern with going full width is the difference between the front and back. Cause I want to get the front done asap but the back will have to wait a little bit due to financing. If I can get lucky and find both at a good deal the rear would be much easier to change. The front is completely custom. New steering gear box, leaf, coil or air shock set up. A bunch of the guys on another forum for just these trucks have already completed this process and have said it can run from 1500 and up depending on which setup you use and how lucky you are on getting the parts and not having to get different ones cause the original ones won't work.
 
I would love to put D60's on it just to be strong as hell but those axles start around 1500 at the junk yards. That would be a hell of an investment right of the bat.
 
So I've been searching the local salvage yards and found a front axle that may work. It is off of a 1990 Suburban 1500. It has the gears that I need. I'm not sure if it is a 6 lug pattern, P/S drop or not sure if it's a D44? From the different axle sites that I've been through I believe it is a P/S drop and a D44, and considering the year it should be a 6 lug. Does anyone know if I'm correct or not? I hate to drive there and find out it's not what I'm looking for. Also, what the WMS-WMS is?
 
It should be a passenger side drop GM 10 bolt with 6 lug bolt pattern. Not sure on WMS, but probably about 64-67". I would just decide on what axles you want, then post a WTB ad on this site. You will probably get them cheaper on here than the JY.

I believe GM switched from the D44 to the 10 bolt in the front of their trucks around 1977/78. The 10 bolt is generally considered to be inferior to the D44. I think there may have even been two different 10 bolts with different number of splines on the inner shafts.
 
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