Rear axle 79 4 X 4

[solidaxel]

I need to change out the rear axle on a 79 1/2T 4 X 4 as the housing is busted. The question I have is what year housings will interchange with a bolt in operation, If I find one that has 5 lug axles can I change the axles from my housing to the "new" housing?

[N2TRUX]

You should be able to run a rear from any 73-87 truck, all the way up to 91 on Blazers and Burbs.

I don't know if a 5 lug will convert to a 6 lug. I "think" the splines are different. Mounting points are different as well.

[68 TT]

If you are looking for a pure bolt-in operation you also need to know what gears you have too.

Even the slightest difference in gearing will do very bad things when you need to put it in 4x4 mode.

What exactly broke on your housing and how did you break it? Any pictures?

I was able to salvage a lot of the internals on a rear end with a bent axle tube & broken center section so you may be able to swap out your gears & carrier if you can not find a complete bolt-in rear with the correct gearing for your truck.

[LONGHAIR]

Swapping gears and carriers is going to cost far more than just finding the correct ratio in the first place.
Like Ken (N2TRUX) said everything from 73-87 with the 6 lug bolt pattern will work....and there are millions of them out there.
Pop the cover from yours to be sure before you start looking and be prepared to do the same to the ones you find. Don't pay "extra" for one with a "Gov-Lock" reguardless of how hard the guy tries to "sell" it.
If your truck is totally stock engine-wise and tire size, and IF you are not hard on it....you might be ok with a Gov-Lock, but I sure wouldn't call it a "desirable" thing.
If you ARE hard on this truck or have bigger tires, etc....call it a deal-breaker. You are far better off with an open rear end than another broken rear end.

[solidaxel]

The housing and internels are "TOAST".
It is still in the truck as we can roll it around to move it, but I don't think anything except the backing plates and maybe the axles and springs. Lack of lubercant will destroy everything, especially when it locks up and shoves a tooth through the bottom of the housing!
Yes I agree finding a 2:73 in a 6 lug will be difficult so it will need a new R&P and all hardware, $$. This is a one owner Az truck and is very well taken care of, (except 90W) otherwise
Someone said that the only onet that would fit was a 71 to 81 why is that?

[LONGHAIR]

A 2.73 gear in a '79? are you absolutely sure? I would see that as odd......now in '81,'82,'83....yes very common. Believe it or not I have seen 2.56 gears in 4x4s w/overdrive transmissions.....complete slug.

In any event, it shouldn't be hard to find one. There are litterally tons of them out there.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

A 2.73 gear in a '79? are you absolutely sure? I would see that as odd......now in '81,'82,'83....yes very common. Believe it or not I have seen 2.56 gears in 4x4s w/overdrive transmissions.....complete slug.

In any event, it shouldn't be hard to find one. There are litterally tons of them out there.

.......... I know it is a HIGH gear that is what the glove box sticker says it is, 2:72 or 2:73 I forgot it belongs to my front door neighbor and I remember when he bought it in '79, as I have to look at it every time I go out the front door!!
I have been watching Craigs L. but I want to get the right housing and deal with the gears as necessary.

[LONGHAIR]

You will be money ahead to shop longer, if needed, to get the right gears in the first place. Installing gears can be costly and it really is a job best left to a professional.

[solidaxel]

I agree as I have been watching CL weekly and have a WTB on there also.
I see some big money put out to fix this rear end in the long run, and at our age we don't want to do it twice!!

[Dooley]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

The housing and internels are "TOAST".
It is still in the truck as we can roll it around to move it, but I don't think anything except the backing plates and maybe the axles and springs. Lack of lubercant will destroy everything, especially when it locks up and shoves a tooth through the bottom of the housing!
Yes I agree finding a 2:73 in a 6 lug will be difficult so it will need a new R&P and all hardware, $$. This is a one owner Az truck and is very well taken care of, (except 90W) otherwise
Someone said that the only onet that would fit was a 71 to 81 why is that?

The 2.76 axle ratio was available in a K10 1977-1980,
a 2.56 and 2.73 was listed in 1981.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by Dooley

The 2.76 axle ratio was available in a K10 1977-1980,
a 2.56 and 2.73 was listed in 1981.

>>>>> O K, I re confirmed the gear ratio and it is in fact a 2:76-1 and it is a stock 79 4X4 6 lug.

Is that why someone told me that only a 71 to 81 rear axle would fit, or was it because ha had a 77 to 81 axle housing in his stock pile and he was trying to sell me the complete job 1400.00 with axles !!

[68 TT]

Those gears suck.

I would be inclined to get a matched pair of 3.42 or better geared diff's out of a donor rig. They only run $85 each with a 30-day warranty up here if you pull them yourself or $250 if they pull them and it gives you a six month warranty.

$200 and a days work later it is back on the road.