GMC Solid axle swap build thread (pic heavy)

I dont think Artec sells a 44 full width truss except for a rear diff. If It were me, Id just get some ~1.5" dom and go knuckle to knuckle and plate it. Thats what I did to my 9.25 up front and its seen some serious abuse with no problems. We've done the same thing to 3 other trucks as well...all get abused and not another bent axle since. My 04 and my buddies 03 were both on their 3rd front axle before we trussed these ones...

A 60/14 is def the way to go, but the 60 will still need trussing for any real air time. And I totally understand running 1/2 ton crap. There are benefits to it too, far less unsprung weight being one of them. Either way, you are winding up with a far better setup than the IFS.

When I went from the 9.25 rear/44 front in my 74 to the 60/14 bolt I felt like I lost tons of power. And that was going from 3.55's in the half ton stuff to 4.10's in the 1 ton stuff. Its a big difference. And the handling going "fast" off road was compromised. The cheap white body shocks controlled the light axles ok, the heavy stuff, not at all...