Good afternoon all,

I recently purchased a 06 1500, RCSB to build with my father and son as a multigenerational project truck. The body is in great shape, and I plan on pulling the motor/trans in favor of something much healthier. I have a question on the rear axle, are there any cost upgrades out there a little more friendly that running something like a Moser 12 bolt or 9"? By the time you spec the differential out to show up complete and ready to install, it's awful close to $5,000. I'm not debating the quality of Moser's components, I'm sure it's worth the money, and I don't mind spending that, it's just a little more than I thought.

The truck will end up with a pretty stout 416 or 427, or maybe even a turbo setup, in either case 700+hp is probably the goal. The 10 bolt axles I remember from earlier days were certainly not up to that kind of task, I didn't think newer ones were a whole lot better?

 

I wouldn't waste any money on a 10 bolt. If you want a budget type rear end with larger internal parts, put a 14 bolt 9.5 inch under it. You can put one together for around $1000 with factory tpe parts.

There is a few different was to build one. Check the link in my signature and you will see what I mean.

 

Newer ones ARE better, but still... especially if you go with high gear ratios and sticky tires, they're highly vulnerable. Not worth pouring money into if you intend to abuse it.

You can get a 14-bolt at the junkyard. Only problem then will be, making it accept 6-lug wheels. A new pair of custom axles will fix that. Gears, posi carriers, etc. are all widely available for it.

 

you don't need custom axles to convert to 6 lug. The replacement 4x4 GMT400 88-98 axles will fit. Its been done several times.

 

OK, maybe "custom" was the wrong word... I should have stuck with "gotta replace em" or "other" or some such...

 

The last one that was done by some one near me was

$150 for a GMT800 14 bolt from a standard 2500 truck
$100 For used axles. Local junkyard. You can get new for around $250
New rotors from a Van application and kept the 2500 rear calipers... whatever the cheapest available ones are from the parts store
New U joint from the Parts store.
What ever oil cost.

If I had to guess they $500 or less all said and done...

They siliconed the cover on and I believe re used the axle seals. Not my choice but not my build either...

Shortened the drive shaft himself and used a lathe to make sure it was centered. No balance issue.

Just had to modify the 2500 dust shield because they rubbed a little.