Newer axles on my 72 K20

[budman k20]

Hi,

I'm just about done rebuilding everythiing on my 72 truck and I found out my front diff has a bad axle u joint on the driver side. I found a good deal on front and rear axles from a 74 chevy ff rear and lockout hub front. I was hoping the front would be a bolt in and the rear only requires moving one shock mount. Can anyone help me out with this swap? I did search before posting but didnt find anything that answered my question. I need to make a decision on the 74 axles by this weekend. Please help me I'm new to 4x4 trucks.

[b454rat]

Your gonna replace both front and rear when the only thing wrong with the current is a bad u-joint??

[CrewCab59]

Why not just replace the joint or joints in the stock axle and save yourself hours of work. The 74 front is a bolt in and the rear will need spring perch and shock tabs changed.

[budman k20]

I figured I would completely rebuild the existing front axle and may need a new axle shaft on top of the usual stuff or I could do the same for a newer axle without the cost of axle shaft. I can get the whole 74 front for 150.00 so basicly even money. The current rear has a leaky pinion seal and the rear cover is leaking. I was thinking long term if I switch to a corporate rear now parts will be easier to get. Sounds like everyone thinks I should fix what I have over putting in newer used?
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[72chevyk10]

Originally Posted by budman k20

Hi,

I'm just about done rebuilding everythiing on my 72 truck and I found out my front diff has a bad axle u joint on the driver side. I found a good deal on front and rear axles from a 74 chevy ff rear and lockout hub front. I was hoping the front would be a bolt in and the rear only requires moving one shock mount. Can anyone help me out with this swap? I did search before posting but didnt find anything that answered my question. I need to make a decision on the 74 axles by this weekend. Please help me I'm new to 4x4 trucks.

if your truck is a k20 it should already be a full float rear. for the front you can pull the hub and spindle off the driver side and the axle shaft slides right out. then press out the u joint or take it to a shop to press and replace

[b454rat]

Not really gonna gain much by swapping to newer axles. I think the only thing that is different between the front two is the u-joint size. The Eaton rear that is in your truck now is the father of the corporate 14ff in the 74. I think breaks are the same, so shouldn't be hard to get parts.

[special-K]

Actually,the HO52 is a corporate rear. People call them Eatons,I guess,because the differential is Eaton. Enough splitting hairs. I'd buy the '74 stuff for later on down the road,or just to snatch upon a fairly sought after and nit so easy to find front axle. Switching to 14-bolt is a matter of convenience for service parts on down the road,so snatch that,too. But,I'd do the simple on repairs what you have and keep that puppy original for as long as you can,maybe forever. Maybe one day if and when something major(and hard to find) breaks,you'll have a backup plan. That '74 front end will keep the big hub appearance so as to not scream out,"I am a later replacement axle!"

[budman k20]

Special K you got me thinking about how others would perceive my truck with newer axles. Would you value a mostly stock frame off restored truck higher with original axles over one with properly installed newer axles? I'm not planning on selling anytime soon but was curious about resale or desirability of a truck based on updated axles.

[72chevyk10]

Originally Posted by budman k20

Special K you got me thinking about how others would perceive my truck with newer axles. Would you value a mostly stock frame off restored truck higher with original axles over one with properly installed newer axles? I'm not planning on selling anytime soon but was curious about resale or desirability of a truck based on updated axles.

i personally dont really like getting modded trucks unless i can look it over and see that its been done properly AND well documented on everything that was done.

[lowrollin70gmc]

I would value a mostly stock restored truck higher with original axles.

I second picking up the new ones as spares and if something major or unobtainable breaks swap them in. Otherwise fix the little issues with the stock ones.

(Full disclosure: I swapped a D60/11.5 AAM in my 68 K20 and if the truck were anywhere stock I would regret it.)

[special-K]

Yes,I'd value a truck with original equipment far more than replaced with newer gear. It doesn't always mean a truck was trashed or played out,but one with it's original gear says,for the most part,that it wasn't.