Best 3/4t or 1t running gear

[johnnywagon]

I too just read thru this thread for the 1st time and I whole-heartedly agree w/everything VT Blazer has to say. He knows his sh#t!

I 1st went with a D44 front and a 14 bolt rear and that worked great for a couple years until I got more serious w/my off roading. The 14 bolt has proven, so far, to be bullet proof and way worth the low cost. Last year I stepped up to a Dana 60 front and I love it but the D60 at least for me is a bit less streeetable with the big tires and all. I'm sure a full kingpin rebuild would cure my "woes" and a cross over steering kit would fix my steering issues but still a D60 is the way to go for any serious full size off-roader.

BTW. If you're shopping for a D60, keep checking Spokane's craiglist. I have a friend in town here who has about a dozen of 'em. He's own's almost every damn one-ton 4x4 crew cab in the fricken state! He's always buying and selling, wheeling and dealing. He might even deliver to the Boise area. OR if you're in a hurry let me know and I'll get his info to ya.

Good Luck!

[RckyMntnKng]

Very helpfull advice, thanks gentlemen....

I know what you mean about big ideas not transferring to real world success.
These projects can go unlimited ways and knowing where your going and why sure helps in the planning process.

When building a rig for rock crawling and off road you are changing everything that made it streetable to begin with. The best you can do is make it great and one, crap at other...or sort of mediocre at both.

I think the very first thing to do is get a solid base in there to build from...drivetrain, motor, tranny, and body etc.

Ive thought long and hard and decided to sacrifice on the "off road" end of things to keep it fairly street-able. Not going to be running the rubicon or anything like that, im going to be camping and four-wheeling around in the back country and maybe hit some mud holes if you know what I mean. Ive had alot of lifted vehicles so I sort of know what im getting into...before this ive had a Z71 with 3" body lift and 33's, a Jeep with 6" lift and 33's, another chevy with 6" and 35's, a Dodge V10 with 4" and 35's, and currently own a Ford with 4" and 35's as daily driver.

Im planning a 37-38" tire, on 6-9" lift and Dana 6o, 14bff, with whatever gearing allows me to do 70mph on the interstate when needed. I have no doubt eventually will need fuel injection, steering upgrades etc.

Im soaking it all in here, everything you guys give me knowledge wise....

[vtblazer]

The street vs. off-road issue's are formidable but not insurmountable.

I've been working on those same issues for my current blazer build.
Your/my parameters are about 98% the same as far as the driver/wheeler thing goes.

Here's what I've come up with, these specs are what I'll be running.

TBI'd 355 crate motor w/serp set up for simplicity and dependability.
700r for the 3.06:1 1st gear and the 0.70:1 over drive (30%)
241 transfer case, again for the better gear reduction of 2.72:1.
456 gears in the axles.
36"x17" radials.

This nets out some really decent 'all around' numbers for both low and high speed travel.
A crawl ratio of 75.9:1 without a doubler.
(a 203/205 doubler would get you to 3.94:1 vs. the 2.72:1 from the 241 t-case alone)
This combo also nets you the ability to cruise at 65mph turning 1936rpm.
(small block recommended highway rpm's are 1800/3000)

That combo should prove to be a really decent off-road platform "AND" a very street-able/fun to drive pavement pounder in one package.

[RckyMntnKng]

Wow....do you mind if I copy your build exactly? That sounds really nice for
both scenarios of street and off road. Holy crap what a long process this going to be! Good thing its fun work.

What rigs are going to have a 241 transfer?

You guys like pics so here is one, guess what it is.....

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by RckyMntnKng

Wow....do you mind if I copy your build exactly?
That sounds really nice for both scenarios of street and off road.

What rigs are going to have a 241 transfer?

Sure, feel free, that's why I posted it.

I got the 241 I'm using from a 1990 Blazer, my TBI came from the same truck.

Another option you could look into would be the Low-Max set up for the 205, drops the factory ratio to around 3:1.
If I didn't already have the 241, I would really be looking onto it for myself.

[RckyMntnKng]

I happened across a 241 from a 95 chevy....I hope this thing is drivable by summertime!