Looking to do a gear swap what axles do i have ?

[M123KT-450]

How do i find out what axles i have in my 95 2500 4x4 i'm looking into swapping the stock gears what ever they maybe to 4.56s. . .

They list a few 14 bolt rear ends so i need to know what i got in the rear and what i got in the front so i can match them up right. ..

Mike

 

[trouttrooper]

Google Randy's ring and pinion. He's got pictures of virtually all axles

 

[M123KT-450]

Thanks much i will give that a try. . .

Mike

 

[DEERE3594]

Are you asking if you have a full floater or semi floater rear? Knowing that will also tell you your ring gear size. 9.5 or 10.5 IIRC

 

[M123KT-450]

I haven't a clue what you just siad. . . please explain i'm not so smart ?

Mikey

 

[DEERE3594]

Can you post pictures of you diff cover and you rear tire with no center cap? Do you have full floater shafts like a big truck? ....Is there a shaft with 8 bolts sticking threw the center of your rear rims? Im not good at explaining stuff

 

[trouttrooper]

full float axle; the axle does not "see" any weight you put in your truck, it's all on the tube. Stronger setup

semi float axle; the axle sees some of the weight.

Easiest way to tell is to pull the hubcap off a back tire. If the center hub is flush with the tire rim then it's a semi-floating. If the center hub sticks out a couple inches then it's full floating.

 

[M123KT-450]

its dark out now but i can take some photos of both axles tomorrow yes the axle dose pop threw the rim like the big trucks. . .

didn't all the 3/4 ton+ trucks do that ? . . . I'm guessing not or you wouldn't have asked. . .

Mikey

 

[M123KT-450]

I was flipping threw my photos just and i found these 2:

Mikey

 

[M123KT-450]

I forgot i took those 2 photos a while back as folks didn't believe i had 7.50-16 tires on my truck. . .
I'll get you a better set of photos tho its dark out now so it'll have to wait till tomorrow. . .

Mikey

 

[DEERE3594]

its dark out now but i can take some photos of both axles tomorrow yes the axle dose pop threw the rim like the big trucks. . .

didn't all the 3/4 ton+ trucks do that ? . . . I'm guessing not or you wouldn't have asked. . .

Mikey

Not all 2500 have the FF, but yes that is. Should be a 14bolt with a 10.5 ring gear... but hopefully someone else will second my thinking :thumbsup:

 

[DEERE3594]

Your rear cover should look like this: (full floater)

and not like this: (semi floater 14 bolt)

Sorry for the pics, just what I found on photo bucket at work

 

[M123KT-450]

Front Axle:

Mikey

 

[M123KT-450]

Rear axle:

Mikey

 

[M123KT-450]

I hope that helps. . .all i need to know is what axles they both are so i can get the right price on the gears. . .

Mikey

 

[just a number]

You have the 14 bolt full floating version. the first pic gave it away. the 8 bolts is the center of the hub are what holds the axle in. you have the 10.5in ring gear. now comes the fun part, there are 2 different cases for that size. one was for the 4.10 and numerically lower, ex. 4.10, 3.73,.... and the other was for 4.10,4.56, and there's another one but i can't remember. IIRC there are companies who make the 4.56 gears that will fit in the smaller set. can I ask why your going to such a high ratio?

 

[M123KT-450]

its Numerically higher yes but its actually lower or slower how ever you wanna look at it.
Because i don't go many places where i need to run 65-70 for more then a few miles.
I like to tow way to much weight and i wanted the extra power of lower gears.

truck will now run 70mph@2750rpm in OD so 70 is pushing the over rev zone which is fine for me, i have no problem being maxed out at 72mph. Truck dosen't really see more then 68mph for like 2-4 miles.

I'm using some vintage engineering on this truck. . .What do you do when your motor don't have enough power ?
you add some gear in this case i'm adding alot of gear so i guess it'll be like a 1958-72 GMC 3/4ton.
Then having the 4L80E all running a HD trans cooler and over sized trans pan with pan cooler and synthetic fluid n B&M filter kit. . .
should be one stout truck tho it'll be slow on the top side it'll get there faster then most Loaded. . .

Mikey

 

[M123KT-450]

what about the front axle guys whats that ?

Mikey

 

[trouttrooper]

Randy's website lists 2 possibilities for front end. Considering you've got the bigger rear axle, I'd say you've most likely got a GM 9.25" ring front end

Rear is GM 14T 10.5" ring. Again, looking at Randy's site it looks like you can get 4.56, 4.88, 5.13, and 5.38.

 

[M123KT-450]

I'll have to go check his site i don't think i'll have to go any lower then 4.56s i'm running 7.50-16s right now but i'd like to go to 245/70R19.5 tires in the future so i would like to have enought gear for those as well. . .

Mikey