Topic: GM 12 bolt strength

[KWP]

 I have the chance to get a 12 bolt and a dana 44 cheap. I was just wondering how strong the 12 bolt is and if there are many mods you can do to them to make them any stronger I would like to run at least a 38 inch tire thanks. 

[kyle_22r]

unless you want width, stick with toyota axles.  the gm 12 bolt is a piece of junk in a wheeler...c-clip axles, really no stronger than a toy axle...

[wrenchtech]

The ring gear in a 12 bolt is only 8-7/8"

[IronClad]

Contrary to  what everyone says  a 12bolt will hold up great in a toyota.. i run one welded   aswell as a 10 bolt front that is welded.  A buddy of mine ran a welded 12bolt  with 5.38's  in his  toyota   with 39.5" boggers.  he killed his d44  every outing  but was NEVER able to break his 12bolt.   They will hold up in a toyota.

everyone likes to diss them because they dont really know    

[scheid6996]

well id go with the D 44 and D 60 rear, or D 60 front and rear! thats wut im gona do

[86yota]

Hey IronClad are you talking about Erick?  He is all about the 12 bolts!

[KWP [OP]]

unless you want width, stick with toyota axles.  the gm 12 bolt is a piece of junk in a wheeler...c-clip axles, really no stronger than a toy axle...

width is realy what i was wanting. that and they are 6 lug so i can use my beadlocks instead of selling them.Is ther anybody out there that makes a c clip eliminator kit for them?

[IronClad]

Hey IronClad are you talking about Erick? He is all about the 12 bolts!

Yah  Eric Bass   I worked at his shop for  nearly a year.  probably saw my truck sittin out front too.  was black with a red top for a while..  then no top... then  it turned intoa  white xtra cab.. lol   12bolts rock !   i love mine.   i managed to break  my conversion flange that paradise driveline made for me before i broke the axle.  and it was on pavement when it broke !  ( clutch dump. and i have a traction bar !)

[1Bad4Runner]

Yodamankp, I would say it is possible to run a 12 bolt and D44 in a Toy if there is not much weight left on it. I run a D44 and a 10 Bolt in my buggy with 38.5's and they are holding up, but I have never beat it or wheeled hard with it because on the axles.
Right now I have a set of 1 ton axles going to go into it (D60 front and D70 rear).

If you are hard on your gear and are looking for width with plenty of strength... I'd go for 2 D60's or a D60 and a Corp. 14 Bolt, or you can go with what I have which has a great amount of gear choices and is extremely strong (gears go all the way up to 7.17's)

Thats my

[KWP [OP]]

Yodamankp, I would say it is possible to run a 12 bolt and D44 in a Toy if there is not much weight left on it. I run a D44 and a 10 Bolt in my buggy with 38.5's and they are holding up, but I have never beat it or wheeled hard with it because on the axles.
Right now I have a set of 1 ton axles going to go into it (D60 front and D70 rear).

If you are hard on your gear and are looking for width with plenty of strength... I'd go for 2 D60's or a D60 and a Corp. 14 Bolt, or you can go with what I have which has a great amount of gear choices and is extremely strong (gears go all the way up to 7.17's)

Thats my I might end up going d60 and a d70. I already have a ff d70. I just didnt want to give up my beadlocks.But I guess it is a small price to pay fo strength.BTW they will be going under a second gen 4runner that already has had an sas done to it.

[1Bad4Runner]

Shouldn't be to hellish hard to set up.
Glad that the advice seeped in, you will be better off in the long run.

Enjoy your swap and post some pictures 

[KWP [OP]]

What would be the best way to mount the front axle? outboard the shackles or just do a bent shackle through the frame.I still want to be able to drive this thing back and forth to work so I want it to be as stable as possible on the road. I would like to get started on this within to next couple of months. Thanks for all of the advice.

[1Bad4Runner]

I would go with the bent shackles because they would be the easiest, but I have never done it before so I'm not positive.

Have fun.

[AJ]

Hey if you want to be sure that rear end will get you home get a c-clip eliminator kit. This will slove the 12-bolts major weekness! Other than that if you dont go to low on gearing the ring and pinion will be fine.

[86yota]

Hey how does the c-clip eliminator work?  Who makes em? 

[AJ]

I will find out who makes them tommorow when I get to my shop . What it does is it puts a pressed on bearing at each axle that is held on just like a toy rear, dana, or 9''. The 12 bolt has a pretty strong ring and pinion, as long as gearing does not go to low. Remember the lower the gear,the more your pinion gear shrinks, so i would suggest no lower than 4.56's. I build rear ends for customers all the time and this is the same thing i tell them. I built one that he is running 44" boggers and its still holding up strong.