hey the factory m2 junk is 10 gauge. i had a 50' chevy truck/sb,pg. 20 years back and the seams on the m2 stuff started coming apart! the aftermarket stuff is reasonable and well built .180,.250 wall stuff. are you going to drive it daily? if not use a disc conversion and leave the straight axle. if you don't like it someone will buy it from you and then put in a m2 conversion. the guys on this site know their AD'S! STAY COOL!