2WD & 4WD Rearend Comparison? Are they the same? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BKWest · 10-02-2003, 11:01 AM

I have a 1970 Chevy 2WD with a 6cyl and 3 speed manual and a 1971 Chevy 4WD with a 350 and Auto Tranny. Would the rearends be the same. Can I use them in both. I want to put the 4WD rearend in the 2WD Truck...Thanks for your help. Also, What Auto Transmission is in the 1971 4WD with the 350?

1969 GMC · 10-02-2003, 11:29 AM

are the trucks 1/2 tons or 3/4 tons?
if they're half tons they should both have the 12 bolt rearend.
if they're 3/4 ton they could have either tha Dana 60 or the eaton ho52.

chevyhouse · 10-02-2003, 11:45 AM

I believe-but am not positive that 4x4 12 bolts have about an inch longer axle than a 2x4. As for swapping them you can do it as long as you can line all the mounts up. I have a 4x4 rear that i bought for my truck but am going to be taking the posi and gear set out because of to many bracket issues for me to change.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-02-2003, 07:50 PM

70 trucks can have the shorter axles in the rear ends. In 71-72 the axles are 3/4" longer than the 67-69, (some 70's have short
axles, some have long axles).

You can swap in the whole rear end, but you will have to move or replace the spring perches as they are different on the 2 wheel drive and the four wheel drive.

If you have a 70 with the longer axles, then the 4 wheel drive axles will fit in the 2 wheel drive rear end.

Jim

Rod · 10-03-2003, 12:12 AM

hmm not sure what ys wanna know.. but... 4wd rear diff is leaf spring while the 2wd it seems would be more than likely coil... could be leaf.... but there not the same diameter thickness.

Your tranny in a 350 turbo-hydramatic on the 4wd.

10-02-2003, 11:01 AM	#1
BKWest Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 31	2WD & 4WD Rearend Comparison? Are they the same? I have a 1970 Chevy 2WD with a 6cyl and 3 speed manual and a 1971 Chevy 4WD with a 350 and Auto Tranny. Would the rearends be the same. Can I use them in both. I want to put the 4WD rearend in the 2WD Truck...Thanks for your help. Also, What Auto Transmission is in the 1971 4WD with the 350?

10-02-2003, 11:29 AM	#2
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	are the trucks 1/2 tons or 3/4 tons? if they're half tons they should both have the 12 bolt rearend. if they're 3/4 ton they could have either tha Dana 60 or the eaton ho52. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

10-02-2003, 11:45 AM	#3
chevyhouse BEER-Vacation in a can... Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: wichita, ks Posts: 444	I believe-but am not positive that 4x4 12 bolts have about an inch longer axle than a 2x4. As for swapping them you can do it as long as you can line all the mounts up. I have a 4x4 rear that i bought for my truck but am going to be taking the posi and gear set out because of to many bracket issues for me to change. __________________ Kurt 03' Trailblazer 69' C10 "SPSHL-K", 388 stroker/BTO 700R4, 2400 stall, 3.73 posi, lwb, fleetside long box, 3.5"/5" drop, 18" Budnik 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom For Sale-87' V10-4x4, 408/700r4, 4.10's PM for pics

10-03-2003, 12:12 AM	#5
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	hmm not sure what ys wanna know.. but... 4wd rear diff is leaf spring while the 2wd it seems would be more than likely coil... could be leaf.... but there not the same diameter thickness. Your tranny in a 350 turbo-hydramatic on the 4wd. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

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10-02-2003, 07:50 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	70 trucks can have the shorter axles in the rear ends. In 71-72 the axles are 3/4" longer than the 67-69, (some 70's have short axles, some have long axles). You can swap in the whole rear end, but you will have to move or replace the spring perches as they are different on the 2 wheel drive and the four wheel drive. If you have a 70 with the longer axles, then the 4 wheel drive axles will fit in the 2 wheel drive rear end. Jim



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