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powermad · 10-04-2002, 05:25 PM

I did this to my K5 about a year ago.
Nothing to it but to do it.
I did it in a gravel driveway in the rain with hand tools.
****uphill in the snow**** LMAO
I started it on a saturday morn bright and early, took it to the tire shop and drove it to work on Monday.
I have a 14 bolt Full Floater open carrier in the rear. (spiders welded) from a 2x4, the spring pads are the same width but I had to relocate the shock mounts.
A 14FF from a 3/4 ton 4x4 is a direct bolt on.
I paid $50 for mine with 4:10 gears.
You can get them with a Gov loc (posi/lim.slip whatever ya want to call it)
Now while the 10 and 12 bolt gov loc is prone to a spectacular display of broken parts a 14 bolt one is a bit stronger and if ya want/need a mild traction device then find an axle with that in it.
But to be able to use a Detroit locker(only other traction aid besides welding) then ya want to get an open carrier as a detroit will not go into the gov locked carrier.
On to the front axle.
I have an external hub D44, any 8 lug from a GM rig is a direct bolt on.
Corporate 10 bolt,D44 and the D60.
Forget about a D60 for now unless ya have them growing from trees. LOL
I had just bought my tires, 33x12.5x15 EXT's.
So I bought a set of wheels from 4WPW 15x10 8 lug white wagon wheels. $41 ea.
I went to a spring shop and bought new u-bolts for $10 ea.
My front axle bolted up with no mods.
The rear axle will need a hybrid u-joint. Because mine is/was a 12 bolt it has 1310 series u-joints which required a Napa # 348 u-joint at the diff.
10 bolts are a 1330 sries joint and the Napa # for that is 447.
Short story long.... any 3/4 ton 4x4 axles from 73-87. will work.
You could still get 3/4 ton axles 14FF 10 bolt in burbs till 91.
To get the 15" wheels to fit I had to grind the front axle calipers and backing plates a bit.
They fit over the rear drums with plenty of room to spare.
I also had to drop my t-case 1.5" to keep the rear yoke from binding.
Like your 208 my 205 has a slip yoke so watch the angle.
I know others that had no problems, every rig seems to be different.
If I forgot something just holler

10-04-2002, 05:25 PM	#3
powermad Hillbilly Hotrod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 69	axle swap I did this to my K5 about a year ago. Nothing to it but to do it. I did it in a gravel driveway in the rain with hand tools. **uphill in the snow** LMAO I started it on a saturday morn bright and early, took it to the tire shop and drove it to work on Monday. I have a 14 bolt Full Floater open carrier in the rear. (spiders welded) from a 2x4, the spring pads are the same width but I had to relocate the shock mounts. A 14FF from a 3/4 ton 4x4 is a direct bolt on. I paid $50 for mine with 4:10 gears. You can get them with a Gov loc (posi/lim.slip whatever ya want to call it) Now while the 10 and 12 bolt gov loc is prone to a spectacular display of broken parts a 14 bolt one is a bit stronger and if ya want/need a mild traction device then find an axle with that in it. But to be able to use a Detroit locker(only other traction aid besides welding) then ya want to get an open carrier as a detroit will not go into the gov locked carrier. On to the front axle. I have an external hub D44, any 8 lug from a GM rig is a direct bolt on. Corporate 10 bolt,D44 and the D60. Forget about a D60 for now unless ya have them growing from trees. LOL I had just bought my tires, 33x12.5x15 EXT's. So I bought a set of wheels from 4WPW 15x10 8 lug white wagon wheels. $41 ea. I went to a spring shop and bought new u-bolts for $10 ea. My front axle bolted up with no mods. The rear axle will need a hybrid u-joint. Because mine is/was a 12 bolt it has 1310 series u-joints which required a Napa # 348 u-joint at the diff. 10 bolts are a 1330 sries joint and the Napa # for that is 447. Short story long.... any 3/4 ton 4x4 axles from 73-87. will work. You could still get 3/4 ton axles 14FF 10 bolt in burbs till 91. To get the 15" wheels to fit I had to grind the front axle calipers and backing plates a bit. They fit over the rear drums with plenty of room to spare. I also had to drop my t-case 1.5" to keep the rear yoke from binding. Like your 208 my 205 has a slip yoke so watch the angle. I know others that had no problems, every rig seems to be different. If I forgot something just holler __________________ 69 K5, .060 over 350/465/205.