Considering Axle Swap ????

[Knothead]

1985 GMC Sierra Classic 4x4 to 1989 GMC Jimmy. This should be a straight forward swap , right? Jimmy has bad Steering Knuckles (tie rods won't seat) and bad ball joints. Could swap knuckles only? Or swap both front and rear axles from 3.23(jimmy) to 3.43 (truck), either way that's a good bit of work.

[franken]

I'd ask do you want 3.23 or 3.43. If you want what's there now, fix it. I'd say swapping parts from the front will be a ton less work. Getting the spindles off will probably require a puller, unlike what the manual says...
I went through the balljoints and ends on the 72 K10 D44 a few years ago.

[Knothead]

Thanks for the input ,I'm on the fence on which way to go????? I just had calipers off. That's when I noticed tie rods loose in taper, replaced with new still loose? AND just had both axles off installing lift kit !!!!! Found complete front end out of a 1979 Blazer $200.00 , but it had 3.08 gears.

[special-K]

Swapping axles won't be too bad, especially if you just had it apart. I would want the 3.42s anyway. But, what about that $200 3.08 front end, did you get that? You could just take the knuckles off of that and keep your other set for whatever. One other thing, your tie rod ends won't seat? Is the hole on the knuckle all buggered up from old part moving around? It couldn't be dressed up?

[Knothead]

No I didn't buy it yet ,going to check local junk yard they get these trucks occasionally. Yes, the tie rods would never seat .the taper is wallowed out to far to even try to clean up.

[special-K]

If you have that set from the '85 truck, that wouldn't be a crazy amount of work. Definitely a straight forward swap. It's the rear that makes a difference, though. First of all, if you just swap the knuckles you don't even touch the rear. Second, if you do replace the rear you have to mess with brake lines (hope nothing is seized) and bleed system when done. Just swapping the front axle would be a piece of cake. I guess swapping knuckles is about equal