Re: 8 lug conversion
Post by bluesman2a on Aug 6, 2006, 2:31am


Quote:
I will be doing a SOA/shackle flip, and have two sets of tires. 40" Boggers, and 45" tractor tires. One for wheeling, and one for moose hunting (I live in Alaska). It will also get a 350/TH350 & a NP203/D300 doubler.


I'm on the tail-end of doing all this work on mine. I did a lot of research before I started. Some things I found:

1) Use the CUCV (60/14 bolt) GM axles. What you spend on the axles you will get back in savings on brakes, cheaper wheels, and better gearing.

2) If you DO go with a doubler, a 300 won't cut it. These trucks are too heavy and at that gearing the 300 becomes marginal. I went with a 203/205 doubler, super beefy. If I were spending the money TODAY, I would call the guys at Stak 4X4 and get one of their three speed monster boxes with an OD on it (I drive my junk everywhere). If you do go with the 203/205, call the guys ar NorthWest Fab, they are relatively close to you (BC) and are great to work with (although can be a little slow).

3) Th350's can be built, but again for these big trucks, the TH400 can be made much more bullet-proof. I know-not how, I'm not a slush-box guy, this is my 1st in a trail-rig, but that is what every technician told me when I demanded "bullet-proof".

Enjoy, and hope some of that helps!