king pin front axle

[Ryan_1]

I will be picking up my truck from the shop today. While i have been in Seattle, I had the shop swap out the Dana 44 ball joint axle that had a ton of blow bearings with a Dana 44 King pin axle. The kingpin axle is off of a 1974 Ford F-250 and according to the shop, sounds like it has a spool. The current Ring & Pinion Ration is 4:10 which does not match the rear so i am not having them install the front drive-shaft until i get both front and rear with matching 5:38 or I may go to 4:56. I run 31" Studded all winter here in Alaska, and come spring through fall i run 39" Mud terrain tractor tires. I think that with the 4:56 i will get better gas mileage with the 31" tires and it may be a little slower with the 39's, but i do have a built 390 with a Holley 750 4 barrel carb so power isn't a worry.

I will get more info when i pick up the truck about exactly what is going on with the front end being "always locked". But i do know that if there is a spool, my 39's will blow up the differential. So any opinions?

I am currently unemployed and got screwed over pay wise by my Xmas tree selling job all December, so money is tight, but i do have some money to spend to get my 4 wheel drive working.

Thanks guys,
Ryan

[michael69]

5:38 and 4:56 gears are to low for 31" tires. Instead of saving gas you will be useing more and turning alot more RPMs. You won't be driving 55-60 long. 4:56 will be good with 39" tires.

[Ryan_1]

During the winter I do not have to leave town so I am not often topping 45mph, i can get where ever i need to go doing 45 and less. I may get a set of 35" studded tires for next year, partially because of gas, and partially because the 31's look stupid on a super lifted truck.

[averagef250]

It sounds like your truck was built as a pavement princess and you're using it for more than that.