2 1/2 ton GM or Rocks

[dirty1ton]

which one is better? strength,price, etc...? looking to build mine a lil' bigger and I know Rocks are popular,just wanna know the pros and cons of each. in short,better bang for the buck..or bucks,lol.

[84silverado]

2.5 ton rocks... I run 18.4-26 r-2's on mine with lockers so there pretty stout, parts are more widely available, pretty decently prices look around I found a set for $1000 a couple places, lots of aftermarket stuff ready to go right on them, have a 6.72 gear ratio

2.5 ton GM's....rated actually at a 3 ton rating BUT the knuckles on the front are the weak point, parts are kinda available, from what ive found not much aftermarket stuff, you have to either have the transfercase from the truck they came out of or you have to flip the front pumpkin over cause its a reverse rotation up front till you flip it. I really don't know the going price but i9 know a few members on here run them and they could give ya more info on them. have a 6.17 gear ratio I do believe

personally I got the rocks cause stuff was more available for them, like parts, aftermarket, etc, etc. if ya pick rocks ill let ya know who I got mine from, I had them shipped to me from Illinois and they were still cheaper than buying within the state

[J.C.]

I had a Rockwell truck. Never had any problems

[michigan maniac]

2.5 tons rocks are the way to go, like said above parts are easily available, you can also upgrade later on and build a custom axle using 5 ton outers, plus the toploader is nice for adding more lift and keeping a good driveshaft angle

[dirty1ton]

how much lift would i have to go to keep from hitting oilpan? I'd like to put IROCS or BOGGERS underneath,looking between 49"-54" size tires. You guys have pics of your trucks to take a look at?

[84silverado]

I'm running 26" of lift and running 57" tires and I still have room to go bigger

[dirty1ton]

J.C and Mich. Maniac, do you guys have any pics of your set-ups? I'd like to see which way would be the best for me, and 84 Silverado nice pic of truck.Starting to get some ideas. 

[HellYeah4x4]

the top loader part of Rocks is about 9inches tall. Id recommend at least 12inches of lift. Going to rockwells tho you will be making or buying your spring perches, shackles, springs , blocks ect. Depending on how you build it, your budget, how much travel you want and if you go leafs or coils (Youd have to 4 link with coils) will determine the size of the lifted springs you buy. Ive seen guys run stock f350 coils and build the perches taller to gain the lift. Ive also seen crazy amounts of pure spring lift. Heck i run airbags and adjust the height for my 44s and 52s. Id go thru the project page on the site for some ideas. Also check out Pirate 4x4, TGW, Wild Time Fabrication, Red Barn Customs, Gearhardt Engineering (he builds 2.5 ton hybrids with the 5 ton knuckles and spindles) Overson and some other sites for Ideas and to see whats out there. I run 44 x 21.5 with 4 wheel steer and the rear welded and Rocks handle them easily. I have blown a rear end apart pulling out another truck running my 52in vtreads tho so they have there limits lol Good luck with your build.

[michigan maniac]

I have 12 inch lift springs, 4 inch blocks welded to the axles, and 3 inch body lift and I have plenty of clearence, the roller tires in the pics are 35 inch

[dirty1ton]

nice blazer,does that have the regular tranny,transfer or did you go scs? you putting ladder bars on it,didn't see any under it?

[michigan maniac]

Thanks, Has a built th350 208 tcase, ladder bars are in the works, gonna be heims and d.o.m, also gonna build a front helmet and run a front ladder bar