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New Guy With a question

aquaman79

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Hi everyone. Great forum with tons of information. I just picked up an 86 CUCV and all in all its in pretty good condition. Took care of all the body work and rust new paint etc... Just got done changing all fluids and new belts. When I took off the rear diff cover I found metal shards ever where. It still drives so hasn't completely gone yet. Looking to swap it out and wondering what others are replacing it with. I will be doing minor off road nothing crazy mostly for hunting and fishing trips. Then freeway and beach trips. I found a auto dismantling yard with a ton of options. I believe its the 10 bolt rear withthe govlocker and 3.08 gears. I was looking at swapping to 3.73 gears. What do you all think and did anyone go from a 10 bolt to a 14 bolt. Thanks for any information. Im new to the CUCV world. My other toy is a 72 ScoutII. Again thanks for the information.
 

patracy

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Which CUCV have you got?
Given the fact he metioned 3.08 gears and 10 bolt axle, it'd have to be a 1009. Unless someone downgraded a 1008/1010/1028/1031.

I personally would ditch all the 1/2 running gear in order to upgrade to 1 tons from a truck variant. If that's not affordable, I'd at least swap in a 6 lug 14 bolt semi floater in the rear. And 3.73's would be a good middle of the road gear IMO.
 

aquaman79

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Yes its the M1009. Everything on it looks great with the exception of the rear. If I switch to a 6 lug 14 bolt semi floater with 3.73 would I need to do anything to the front end? Thanks for the information. I have not done any work with gears before so I dont want to go to 3.73's if it is not compatible with the front end. Thanks again
 

U1100L

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Just got done installing 3.73's in the M1031 also got GV O.D. that drops it to 2.94-ish for the highway. Goes good pulls just fine. Could of got away with 3.55's .. Depends what your using the truck for of course..
 

Skinny

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You will end up with shards again if you are replacing with a 10 bolt. This is a perfect time to upgrade! Plus you can justify it because your rear is about to explode...wait, that doesn't sound right.
 

markg

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I'd at least swap in a 6 lug 14 bolt semi floater in the rear. And 3.73's would be a good middle of the road gear IMO.
impossible to find a 6 lug 14 bolt, gm only put them in light duty 3/4 ton with 7200gvw.(i have one with 3.73 gears) easier to find 8 lug matching axles. front will likely be a 10 bolt anyway. cheapest way to go is to replace the 3.08 geared 10 bolt in the rear. unless you run big tires it will last a long time.
 
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patracy

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impossible to find a 6 lug 14 bolt, gm only put them in light duty 3/4 ton with 7200gvw.(i have one with 3.73 gears) easier to find 8 lug matching axles. front will likely be a 10 bolt anyway. cheapest way to go is to replace the 3.08 geared 10 bolt in the rear. unless you run big tires it will last a long time.
A 88-98 model light duty 3/4 ton 2wd or a diesel powered 1/2 4x4 has the lug pattern.
14boltRearDiscPainted.jpg

If you find a 3/4 ton front axle that's a 8 lug, it's still a 10 bolt. Honestly if I were to build a blazer again, I'd probably just change the front housing gears and stuff a six lug 14 bolt under the rear and call it done.
 

markg

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A 88-98 model light duty 3/4 ton 2wd or a diesel powered 1/2 4x4 has the lug pattern.
View attachment 447776

If you find a 3/4 ton front axle that's a 8 lug, it's still a 10 bolt. Honestly if I were to build a blazer again, I'd probably just change the front housing gears and stuff a six lug 14 bolt under the rear and call it done.
still more expensive than just replacing the rear 10 bolt if your on a budget! ive seen 32-11.50's on many a blazer that never had an issue with the rear.
 

patracy

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The 3.08 has such a large pinion that they rarely have issues. But that gov-lock is a ticking timebomb. I've broken them on pavement. 10 bolts are fine if you stay at 30-31" tires.
 

markg

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The 3.08 has such a large pinion that they rarely have issues. But that gov-lock is a ticking timebomb. I've broken them on pavement. 10 bolts are fine if you stay at 30-31" tires.
i have an 09 right now with a non working gov-lock. it goes down the road just fine, and still quiet.
 

patracy

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I would go into it right now and pull out the "guts". Those bits and pieces love to come unglued and find their way into ring and pinions, spider gears, and bearings. I've got a pickle jar in my shop that is full of all the "kibbles and bits" left overs from the gov-locks I've blown. (1/2 tons and 14 bolts)
 
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