The cross shaft is what the spider gears ride on. A lunch box locker replaces the side gears and spider gears, but still uses the cross shaft. A hardened cross shaft is better for use with a locker as there is a less chance of it breaking. And an unloaded carrier wont have a cross shaft in it anyway, so you need one no matter what.weekend 4 wheelers wrote:??? What is that??
I have a 258 in a heavier than stock truck (7k) with 34s and a 435 tranny with 410 gears, and it sux on the hiway, good around the farmStuka wrote:Personally I think 4.10's and 35's with a 258 would suck. I have 4.56's with 33's and a 4sp and its just where I want it. But it will not cruise the HWY at 70.
With a 258, you are on the low end of power to push 35's. 4.10's would work if you have no hills. For me there are no flat roads, so 4.56's work better.
With 4.10's and 35's you are looking at 2755rpm at 70MPH, and 3064rpm at 70MPH with 4.56's. Not a huge difference. Neither one is really freeway friendly for a 258. That 3:1 first gear is where things will suck on hills. But if texas is as flat as I have heard (Only been to Houston myself), then that may not be an issue at all.
Your front axle is fine. A D60 rear is technically a 3/4 ton axle. The main advantage is that you get a full float setup. If you were going to do hauling and towing I would say go for it. Or offroading in the rocks. But with having a locker I am assuming you will be doing no hauling or towing. Although if that is your plan, you do not want an automatic locker.weekend 4 wheelers wrote:^ so you say go with the 4.56s? (thanks for the input)
the hardened shaft will be on the list of things to get. thanks for the input
as for the dana 60 conversation. that will never happen. i have no desire to do all that work and spend all that cash just to have one tons with 35s. i will never go over that tire size. i hear this all the time on other forums about how i should go with 60s and "some day you will want to go bigger"....... well i have been wheelin for a pretty long time and i know that i like 35s. a full floater would not have enough clearance on the diff with 35s. not to mention i have been in bigger rigs and i enjoy it, but i have a family. so cheap and fun is my way of doing things. (thanks for the input) sorry if i seem rude. every rig i have ever had (this is #6) people say the same thing. "put one tons"