rearend interchange

[turbotank]

Does anyone know what sort of problems I might face swapping in an 8 bolt 3/4 ton rear from a k2500 suburban into a 89 1500 suburban?????And is 250 a good price for the rear plus springs and wheels?Thanks.

[youngin']

Um... I may not know alot about all the tranksfering and crap, but for a complete rear end- with springs- PLUS WHEELS----FOR $250 That's a HELL of a deal anyday! At least in California.

[turbotank]

Yeah,thats what I was thinking,it looks like a 14 bolt 8 lug. On a k2500 suburban. I know that this is a bulltet proof rear as Im told,and I am definitely interested in it,but want to know if I will have to do any crazy modifications to it. Like will it take the stock driveshaft/u-joint? The springs look like they bolt up in the same location as the 10 bolt I have in my suburban,but I need to make sure b4 I buy. I wonder what kind of tow capacity this would give me also. Anyone know the other differences between 3/4 and 1/2 ton suburbans??Thanks

[turbotank]

nobody knows?

[WarBeard]

Should mostly bolt right in...You will need a conversion u-joint to a 1350 yolk
Bigger u-bolts and spring plate the 3/4ton springs are wider i think, and wont fit into your 1/2ton spring hangers on the frame......And of course 8-lug wheels!

One major thing to remember about the 14 bolt axle's...Suburbans had two options for 14 bolts...
A full floating and a semi floating...The full floating one is the one you want, it's the one everybody talks about.
The semi floating is a c-clip axle...both have 14 bolts on the diff cover.
4x4 suburban's (73'-91')Never came with a 14 bolt full floater from the factory.
Full floaters can be identified by the big hub protruding from the center of the wheel.
Semi floaters do not have this.
14 bolt semi floaters are a strong axle but the full floater is the top dog!

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by motomech

4x4 suburban's (73'-91')Never came with a 14 bolt full floater from the factory.

Hey Mototech,

Actually, they did. 1973 through 1980 ¾ ton subs all had 14 bolt full-floaters. The 9.5” 14 bolt semi-floater came on the scene in 1981 as the standard ¾ axle behind small block engines. You could still have a full-floater in a 2wd sub up through the time that body style ended in 1991 but only in a big block, which big blocks could only be had in 2wd. By never, you were probably thinking of big blocks. Big blocks were never available in 4x4 Subs until the GMT400 body style came out in 1992.
Not bashing…..Just talkin cool GM trivia

[WarBeard]

MY bad ,I didn't think they came in the 4x4 burbs no matter what engine.....
O well learn something new everyday

[turbotank]

So,a 1973 8 bolt rearend should be the full floater right???

And what are the pros and cons of the 14 semi float,Im only saying cause it is a decent price,and I need a rearend in my suburban,as the 10 bolt is shot.Thanks for the replys

[turbotank]

the spring plates just unbolt from the frame,right? It does look like it has a hub sticking out of the wheels. Is there any other positive id? Can I get that ujoint at Napa or something,or does it need to be custom made?

[WarBeard]

The spring plates are what the u-bolts go through on the axle.
The u-joint can be had at napa its pretty common.
Besides the hubs look around the yolk on the axle it should have 6 bolts going into the axle so that the pinion can be pulled out...... the semi floater does not have this.
The 14 bolt semi floater can be converted to a 6 lug by changing the axle shafts then you could have a really tough 6-lugger.

This picture is a 14 bolt full floater..Its the one you want



This is the semi floater its an OK axle but i wouldn't go through all of the trouble to install it when full floaters are plentiful

[turbotank]

Thanks for the pics!! I got a chance to go back to the yard today,and it looks like this is a semi floater. That sucks,oh well. If I run across another one that I can get(might be another in this yard),do I need to change the spring hangers?Thats what I meant to say when I was talking about the spring plates.Thanks for the help