<strong>What gearing would you suggest and why for a driving on freeways without redlining using
35-inch tires? 4.88, 5.13 or 5.38. </strong>
How wide of a tire? 35x12.50? I run 36x12.50 TSL Radials with 5.13 gears (max allow by my rear axle, GM 14bff) and wish i had a little more gear though my speedo is about dead on with stock. So from my experience I might say 5.13 would be the right gear with 35s. Of course, if you're gonna spend the time to regear, 5.38 is only one step away and the max you can take a D44, so you might as well stick those in there and never worry about regearing axles again. So, my vote is for the lowest, 5.38.
<strong>Knuckles rotation should they be re welded at 12 to 15 degree, before test fitting. Would it be wise to complete prior to test fitting with no problems.</strong>
If you're referring to caster, 12-15* is a lot of positive caster, i'd shoot for more around 8*. If you're talking about pinion angle, i rotated mine up to 20*, too much more, you might start to worry about oiling problems.
The knuckles are a press fit onto the ends of the tubes. So you can bang them on in their new position and double/triple check everything before you do any welding. This is something you wanna be sure about before you weld it back up.
<strong>Which ujoints would you suggest I use?</strong>
steering joints? you only have two choices 297x or 760x... 760x's are the replacement for 297x and supposedly slightly stronger than their old counterparts. Of course, if you got the big $$$, CTM joints are available and virtually indestructable.
if you're talking driveshaft ujoints, i believe the D44 yoke uses either a 1310 or 1320 series joint.
<strong>I don't expect to complete this prior to January or February. I know I'll more question after I have dissembled the axle completely.</strong>
Well, i wish you luck! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> we'll definitely be around to answer any questions you wanna throw out. Make sure and keep us updated on your project.
-Rob
