For the sake of argument...

[FCM]

I bought a '78 K10 Suburban with the intent of it being my daily driver, but like all projects of mine, my mind has a tendency to go from mild to wild in about the same amount of time a small block can spin from idle to five thousand while in neutral. I also have this nasty habit of discussing these dreams with my old man who is a firm believer in keeping things stock, or more aptly, not modifying anything. Every time I mention wanting to ditch stock axles for a set of high dollar Dana 60's, his argument is that the frame is still only a half ton frame. There is a clear size difference in the half ton frame my suburban has compared to the three quarter ton frame his double cab sits on, but how much effect is that going to have on running a larger set of axles and being able to support other fantasy mods such as a LBZ Duramax?

Thanks for reading.

 

[ripperj]

If you try getting lots of torque from the (souped up oil burner)engine to big tires, it has to be transmitted thru the frame.

 

[Buliwyf]

You can put big axles under a little frame. How do you think Jeeps on 35"+ tires exist?
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The point of axles is durability with big gears, tires and lockers. That alone, doesn't seem to effect the frame much. Just don't think for a second about the truck becoming a 1 ton towing machine. It won't be. It'll only be an light loaded offroad ride. If you need big axles for towing, you'll need the big frame as well.

 

[98dango]

Yes Dana 60s do just fine on a 1/2 ton. I know a cummins swap needs the same reinforces as a 1 ton. Dose any of this increase the load rating of the vehicle no. Some people care about this some dont.


The real question is do you really need any of this. As I get older no 33s sliders and lockers get you every where a full body rig can go. My father has shown me up more than once with 33 on a comanche and I have 38+ on most of my rigs.

 

[FCM]

The real question is do you really need any of this. As I get older no 33s sliders and lockers get you every where a full body rig can go. My father has shown me up more than once with 33 on a comanche and I have 38+ on most of my rigs.

Do I really need anything more than stock. Nope. Ok, maybe a different set of tire than what came from the factory, but that other than that most vehicles are quite capable off the assembly line. The fantasy is to go with top notch aftermarket parts with no regard for cost. So hell yeah a set of Dynatrac's, a LBZ with EFI Llive, a NP205 with 3:1 low range, a NP465 + AA Torque Splitter, Ox lockers f/r, BDS suspension lift, custom made bumpers f/r, hydraulic winch out front, electric winch out back, and list could go on and on...

Realistically, I'm building up a sbc 350 that I've had laying around for a bit longer than a decade, saving up for a decent set of tires, and just fixing the little things as I go. Heck I might even wire in a CB that I haven't had a use for yet.

 

[FCM]

You can put big axles under a little frame. How do you think Jeeps on 35"+ tires exist?
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The point of axles is durability with big gears, tires and lockers. That alone, doesn't seem to effect the frame much. Just don't think for a second about the truck becoming a 1 ton towing machine. It won't be. It'll only be an light loaded offroad ride. If you need big axles for towing, you'll need the big frame as well.

If you try getting lots of torque from the (souped up oil burner)engine to big tires, it has to be transmitted thru the frame.

I understand the big axles under my 1/2ton doesn't make it a towing machine. It is still only a Suburban. Even the 3/4ton Suburban with the 454 or 6.5 is still only capable of a bumper mount trailer, so heavy towing isn't what the design lends itself to best. An actual truck with 5th wheel or gooseneck like my old man is building is a better platform for the heavy hauling.
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Flexing the frame is the only concern that I had during the debates. One point, Dad.
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Oh, and 35"+ tires on a Jeep? Don't get me started on all those mall crawlers that do it on Dana 30/35. Those are the same type of guys that have the CB's they never turn on, snorkels with all the vent tube still below the frame, a dozen driving lights on a chromed out front bumper for blinding people on the highway, and lets not forget the guys that put a catchy sticker on there window and expect the rest of us to give bow down to his awesomeness.

 

[98dango]

Do I really need anything more than stock. Nope. Ok, maybe a different set of tire than what came from the factory, but that other than that most vehicles are quite capable off the assembly line. The fantasy is to go with top notch aftermarket parts with no regard for cost. So hell yeah a set of Dynatrac's, a LBZ with EFI Llive, a NP205 with 3:1 low range, a NP465 + AA Torque Splitter, Ox lockers f/r, BDS suspension lift, custom made bumpers f/r, hydraulic winch out front, electric winch out back, and list could go on and on...

Realistically, I'm building up a sbc 350 that I've had laying around for a bit longer than a decade, saving up for a decent set of tires, and just fixing the little things as I go. Heck I might even wire in a CB that I haven't had a use for yet.

I understand I also have a Dodge Ramcharger on 38s and 60s parts to build a 2003 Chevy on superduty axles and 39s and a gmc sonoma strewn across the back yard. So yes I know all about the dream world I live in it.