4wd rear swap questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Brimow525 · 07-15-2004, 12:23 AM

OK, I am new to this stuff and want to make sure I do it right. Truck is a 70 K20 with D44 in front (drums) and a Eaton rear. 4:10 gears. I want the truck to be a safe daily driver and have had a VERY hard time matching parts for the brakes a such. So I bought a set of rears from a 86 K2500 with 103,000 miles on it. 4:10 gears, with the leaf spings. 10 bolt in front and 14 bolt (non full floater) in the rear. I have taken apart the front axle, just the calibers and dics. Going to get the disc turned, new calibers, bearings and seals. Now the questions are..
1. Should I mess with the front axle u joints near the calibers? They don't "look" bad, but they look kinda hard to get at and replace. Going to be plowing with this truck. Not off roading.
2. Will the springs bolt right up to my 70 frame? I wanted to keep the newer springs. More leafs.
3. Can I have the rear shock mount moved to the other side to the axle with ease?
4. What is a good reliable locking hub to get for this setup?
5. Will the steering bolt right up to the 70 system?
Thats all I can think of at the moment. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Brimow525 · 07-16-2004, 10:58 PM

no takers huh?

stan79chevy · 07-17-2004, 12:21 AM

i think you could put the shock mount wherever you want and it shouldnt be a problem. all the other stuff im nor sure about but i think the 73-87 springs are longer. dont use spicer hubs the ones i had stuck all the time and you would have to rock the truck back and forth to get them unlocked

Brimow525 · 07-23-2004, 01:00 AM

ttt...

red450ih · 07-23-2004, 05:43 AM

Put a 14 Semi float in place of an eaton?

I would keep the eaton in the rear. There is noway I would pull it to put a 14 bolt Semi-floater in it's place. If the eaton ever gave up on me I would replace it with a 14 bolt Full Floater.

The ring gear diameters are as follows:
14 semi float 9.5 inches
14 Full Float 10.5 inches
Eaton Full Float 12.25 inches

Keith

Brimow525 · 07-23-2004, 10:49 PM

Well, techically I could keep the eaton rear. Its the same gearing as the newer front rear I got. It's just SOOO hard to find the drums for it. Plus the spring pack on the newer rear has 2 more leafs that the old one. But it is something to consider.

1969 GMC · 08-15-2004, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red450ih

Put a 14 Semi float in place of an eaton?

I would keep the eaton in the rear. There is noway I would pull it to put a 14 bolt Semi-floater in it's place. If the eaton ever gave up on me I would replace it with a 14 bolt Full Floater.

The ring gear diameters are as follows:
14 semi float 9.5 inches
14 Full Float 10.5 inches
Eaton Full Float 12.25 inches

Keith

Actually, the Eaton he is probably referring to has a 10.5" ring gear. The 12.25" ring gear axle was an option in one ton trucks, and is called the H110. The diff cover of this axle was welded on instead of bolted on.

But I agree, I would keep the Eaton too. Actually, I am going to swap out my 30 spline dana 60 for one with a detroit locker.

07-15-2004, 12:23 AM	#1
Brimow525 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wrenchin' or Working in De., take your pick Posts: 51	4wd rear swap questions OK, I am new to this stuff and want to make sure I do it right. Truck is a 70 K20 with D44 in front (drums) and a Eaton rear. 4:10 gears. I want the truck to be a safe daily driver and have had a VERY hard time matching parts for the brakes a such. So I bought a set of rears from a 86 K2500 with 103,000 miles on it. 4:10 gears, with the leaf spings. 10 bolt in front and 14 bolt (non full floater) in the rear. I have taken apart the front axle, just the calibers and dics. Going to get the disc turned, new calibers, bearings and seals. Now the questions are.. 1. Should I mess with the front axle u joints near the calibers? They don't "look" bad, but they look kinda hard to get at and replace. Going to be plowing with this truck. Not off roading. 2. Will the springs bolt right up to my 70 frame? I wanted to keep the newer springs. More leafs. 3. Can I have the rear shock mount moved to the other side to the axle with ease? 4. What is a good reliable locking hub to get for this setup? 5. Will the steering bolt right up to the 70 system? Thats all I can think of at the moment. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Attached Images __________________ Cuttin' Grass and Kickin' A** , and We're Running Out of Grass to Cut!

07-16-2004, 10:58 PM	#2
Brimow525 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wrenchin' or Working in De., take your pick Posts: 51	no takers huh? __________________ Cuttin' Grass and Kickin' A** , and We're Running Out of Grass to Cut!

07-17-2004, 12:21 AM	#3
stan79chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: COVINGTON GEORGIA Posts: 477	i have warn hubs and i like them i think you could put the shock mount wherever you want and it shouldnt be a problem. all the other stuff im nor sure about but i think the 73-87 springs are longer. dont use spicer hubs the ones i had stuck all the time and you would have to rock the truck back and forth to get them unlocked __________________ 79 chevy k20 350/350/205/D44/14bFF 4.56 gears rock LWB pimer black 01 S-10 ZR2 extended cab 4.3/4L60E/233 3.73 gear 31" DICK CEPEK CRUSHERS

07-23-2004, 01:00 AM	#4
Brimow525 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wrenchin' or Working in De., take your pick Posts: 51	ttt... __________________ Cuttin' Grass and Kickin' A** , and We're Running Out of Grass to Cut!

07-23-2004, 05:43 AM	#5
red450ih Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 225	Put a 14 Semi float in place of an eaton? I would keep the eaton in the rear. There is noway I would pull it to put a 14 bolt Semi-floater in it's place. If the eaton ever gave up on me I would replace it with a 14 bolt Full Floater. The ring gear diameters are as follows: 14 semi float 9.5 inches 14 Full Float 10.5 inches Eaton Full Float 12.25 inches Keith __________________ GMC

07-23-2004, 10:49 PM	#6
Brimow525 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wrenchin' or Working in De., take your pick Posts: 51	Well, techically I could keep the eaton rear. Its the same gearing as the newer front rear I got. It's just SOOO hard to find the drums for it. Plus the spring pack on the newer rear has 2 more leafs that the old one. But it is something to consider. __________________ Cuttin' Grass and Kickin' A** , and We're Running Out of Grass to Cut!

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