experienced advise needed

T-bone71

T-bone71

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Location
Conover
I've started building a K-5/S-10 hybrid and have some newbie questions. I currently have already a very warmed-over 350 out of my race car, but detuned for lower rpm and more low end grunt, I also have the th350 trans/203 case from the original K-5. Now my dilema, I'm thinking either 4.56 or 4.88 gears in the original 12 bolt rear/ Dana 44 front (until i break them) with a spool in the rear, LockRite in the front and 36 Tsl's. The question is stay with the 350/203 combo look for a 400/205 combo or go to a 465/205 combo and fab up a clutch pedal set-up. I like the simplicity of the automatic trans,but i'm worried about reliability. What do you guys think about the gear ratio and the trans/transfercase combos. Is it too low? Too high? Any input would be greatly appreciated. This is almost strictly a trail rig no street use, but not a serious rock crawler. What do yall think?
 
As far as gear ratio's IMO i always say the lower the better, there is no reason not to gear lower unless you worried about gas milage, the lower you gear the easier it will be to turn the tires.

That being said as I am sure you aware of those axles probably arnt gonna hold up so personally I don't see investing the amount of $$ it takes to gear and lock axles into a set of axles that arn't up to the task, then after you break em, your $$ has been wasted. And gearing and locking is not a cheap investment to be throwing away.

I'd say go automatic because offroad not having to worry about the clutch is key especially when it comes to time to krawl the rocks.

Also I think the turbo 350/205 combo aught to be just fine, I personally think people don't give the turbo 350 enough credit, Friend of mine ran a 350/205 in his rig behind a stroked 427 motor pushin close to 500hp

I'm about to run one behind a cadillac 500 cubic inch motor . . . . we'll see how it turns out but I say run the 350/205 until you have a reason to go to the turbo400
 
Stay with the 350/205 and spend that money on new axles. My front 44 wouldn't stand up to a worn out 302 so I am sure you will have problems with a nice 350.
 
IMO, spend the money on new axles.. gear them deep.

The higher the gear ratio (numerically), the easier it is on your driveline parts... everything from the u-joints on up to the transmission will live longer.
 
jrraw23 said:
As far as gear ratio's IMO i always say the lower the better, there is no reason not to gear lower unless you worried about gas milage, the lower you gear the easier it will be to turn the tires.
That being said as I am sure you aware of those axles probably arnt gonna hold up so personally I don't see investing the amount of $$ it takes to gear and lock axles into a set of axles that arn't up to the task, then after you break em, your $$ has been wasted. And gearing and locking is not a cheap investment to be throwing away.
I'd say go automatic because offroad not having to worry about the clutch is key especially when it comes to time to krawl the rocks.
Also I think the turbo 350/205 combo aught to be just fine, I personally think people don't give the turbo 350 enough credit, Friend of mine ran a 350/205 in his rig behind a stroked 427 motor pushin close to 500hp
I'm about to run one behind a cadillac 500 cubic inch motor . . . . we'll see how it turns out but I say run the 350/205 until you have a reason to go to the turbo400
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Down&Dirty said:
Stay with the 350/205 and spend that money on new axles. My front 44 wouldn't stand up to a worn out 302 so I am sure you will have problems with a nice 350.
Click to expand...

Guys read again.
He has a 350/203 not a 205.
You need something part time.
The 203 is stout enough but will wear on everything turning all the time.

But I agree with Rich. Start with a good foundation and go from there.
 
My bad. I was typing faster than my brain was working. Either way, go with axles first. I almost have more in axles than I have in the rest of my rig. I can tell you from experience that getting all the way to a trail and blowing an axle sucks.
 
Down&Dirty said:
My bad. I was typing faster than my brain was working. Either way, go with axles first. I almost have more in axles than I have in the rest of my rig. I can tell you from experience that getting all the way to a trail and blowing an axle sucks.
Click to expand...

X2

I would get some CUCV K30 axles D60 and 14 bolt (comes stock with 4.56 and a detroit)
 
Is there a better year (s) of axle to get than another. I know in racing some years of axles are better than others for stonger axles, bigger bearings, better brakes, ect.ect.ect. Are the D60/14 only in one tons and which other trucks besides GM are they in with a pass. side drop?
 
14 bolt is a GM only.
Dodge 60s were PSD also, but depending on year spring perches will not line up
Of course that is easy to fix.

As to strength, stay away from real early (closed knuckle) and late (super duty metric) junk.
 
or also stay away from '94+ Dodge front 60's.
 
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