Front Axle Lock

[manwiththeplan]

I have a 96 K1500. I was recently informed that my front drive shaft is always truning. The wheel bearings have the splines into the axle, so I never unlock the front hubs. Warn does not even make a manual lock kit for it. Nor is there an auto lock kit. this thing is Permalock and I want to change that. Does anyone know how???

Also where can I find headers less than $500

[quaddriver]

nuttin u can do about it, the axle nut joins rather tightly the axle shaft to the hub. unless you are good at redesign, its not changing

[manwiththeplan]

I was told that there is the possiblility of a front axle swap to a straight axle off of a ford. Swap out the leaf springs and I would be in there like swim wear. You got any input as far as that goes?

[quaddriver]

The chevy has a much narrower frame and a torsion bar with no provisions for leaf or coil springs.

also, the chevy transaxle is firmly bolted up BETWEEN the frame rails to get rid of the need for clearance.

to change this, you would need a major redesign and a welder and the ability to create repair parts that do not exist. leave well enuf alone.

[manwiththeplan]

Well that is pissy. I just do not like the idea of waisting hp to turn my axle full time ya know. I mean it is only a 4.3, granted it is the biggest v-6, but it is no 350. I am just trying to do as many mods as cost effectivly possible to gain max hp while keeping the lowend torque.
With the front axle idea canned, does anyone have input on how to get max hp?

[Thunderbolt]

Your drive shaft is not turning. The axles going into the front diff are turning , But when it is in 2 wheel drive the actuator unlocks the front diff. so the axles spin free. You would not gain anything even if you could seperate the hub from the axle. To who replied that you can't put a solid axle in that is not true. Yes there is welding involved, But I have seen many IFS chevys converted to solid axle. Is it worth it ?? Not unless you use it for mudding and want to turn large mudders. That is where the beefy solid axles come into play.I would even bet there is some sort of conversion package available to convert an IFS to a solid axle.

[manwiththeplan]

Thanks for all your help! I think I am just going to leave it as is.

[quaddriver]

If its just hp you want, edelbrock makes a cam and intake for the 4.3 that should put it closer to 200hp. face it, you are not gonna hotrod a 4700lb truck with only 4.3Ls and no blower

[manwiththeplan]

i know it. but i can try my damnedest at least.

[manwiththeplan]

http://electricsupercharger.entrabiz.com/index.htm

you know anything about these