axle swap question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vern350 · 12-13-2009, 10:43 PM

I have a 6 lug 4x4 rear axle out of a 87. I would like to slide this into my 1981 2wd. Can I pop my 5 lug axles into it? Would I need 10 bolt or 12 bolt 2wd drive axles to go into the 6 lug housing.

72 CustomCamper · 12-13-2009, 11:52 PM

The 87 rear will be a 10 bolt. The 81 could be either 10 or 12 bolt. Count the number of bolts that holds the rear cover on the 81 rear. If it's a 10 bolt then the 5 lug axles will work in the 6 lug housing...

78-5.3 · 12-14-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

The 87 rear will be a 10 bolt. The 81 could be either 10 or 12 bolt. Count the number of bolts that holds the rear cover on the 81 rear. If it's a 10 bolt then the 5 lug axles will work in the 6 lug housing...

crap!!! i didnt know this so i can look for a 12 bolt 4x4 axle and slip my 12 bolt axles in!!!! what about the brakes?????

68 TT · 12-14-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78-5.3

crap!!! i didnt know this so i can look for a 12 bolt 4x4 axle and slip my 12 bolt axles in!!!! what about the brakes?????

If you swap out axles check the dimensions of the brake drums on the 4x4 housing. I have heard some have bigger drums but can't tell you for sure. It could be as simple as swapping out axles & drums if the brakes are the same size.

If they end up being different as long as you put the backing plate assembly and axle/drums from your 5-lug rear end on the 4x4 housing everything will work.

68 TT · 12-14-2009, 09:38 AM

The emergency brake cables coming out of the backing plates may be longer on the 4x4 version too so you might want to check that too.

It's probably best to just put the 5-lug backing plates & brakes on there with the axles / drums. It's only four more bolts per side if you already have the axles out so no big deal.

78-5.3 · 12-14-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 TT

The emergency brake cables coming out of the backing plates may be longer on the 4x4 version too so you might want to check that too.

It's probably best to just put the 5-lug backing plates & brakes on there with the axles / drums. It's only four more bolts per side if you already have the axles out so no big deal.

great !!!!!!!!! thx

vern350 · 12-14-2009, 09:25 PM

Currently has 12 bolt diff, wanting to put 10 bolt 4x4 in. Can I use the 12 bolt axles or do I need to find some 10 bolt axles?

silverbullet01 · 12-14-2009, 09:32 PM

question,
Why are you swapping the 12 bolt for a 10 bolt? 12 bolts are stronger....

vern350 · 12-14-2009, 09:47 PM

Temporary fix for a posi diff with steeper gears until I get the 12 bolt rebuilt with new posi, currently 3.07 open diff. I think a 3.42 Posi will be better for the mean time, just got to be easy on the pedal with the gov. bomb.

Can I use the 12 bolt axles or do I need to find some 10 bolt axles?

benoit454 · 12-14-2009, 10:17 PM

good info we've found some 4x4 rearends around here but no 2wd ones, and if they are both 10 bolts and you can swap axles that be very easy.

We have an 84 with a 2.72 or 2.73 gov loc 10 bolt and want 3.73 or 4.11 setup.

72 CustomCamper · 12-15-2009, 12:04 AM

10 bolt axles have 28 spline shafts from 78-87. 12 bolt axles have 30 spline shafte from 73-81...

vern350 · 12-15-2009, 07:34 PM

thank you

72 CustomCamper · 12-15-2009, 07:58 PM

No problem...

12-13-2009, 10:43 PM	#1
vern350 like a rock Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 517	axle swap question I have a 6 lug 4x4 rear axle out of a 87. I would like to slide this into my 1981 2wd. Can I pop my 5 lug axles into it? Would I need 10 bolt or 12 bolt 2wd drive axles to go into the 6 lug housing. Last edited by vern350; 12-13-2009 at 10:44 PM.

12-13-2009, 11:52 PM	#2
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Re: axle swap question The 87 rear will be a 10 bolt. The 81 could be either 10 or 12 bolt. Count the number of bolts that holds the rear cover on the 81 rear. If it's a 10 bolt then the 5 lug axles will work in the 6 lug housing... __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

12-14-2009, 09:38 AM	#5
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: axle swap question The emergency brake cables coming out of the backing plates may be longer on the 4x4 version too so you might want to check that too. It's probably best to just put the 5-lug backing plates & brakes on there with the axles / drums. It's only four more bolts per side if you already have the axles out so no big deal. __________________ miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars

12-14-2009, 09:25 PM	#7
vern350 like a rock Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 517	Re: axle swap question Currently has 12 bolt diff, wanting to put 10 bolt 4x4 in. Can I use the 12 bolt axles or do I need to find some 10 bolt axles?

12-14-2009, 09:32 PM	#8
silverbullet01 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia Posts: 56	Re: axle swap question question, Why are you swapping the 12 bolt for a 10 bolt? 12 bolts are stronger....

12-14-2009, 09:47 PM	#9
vern350 like a rock Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 517	Re: axle swap question Temporary fix for a posi diff with steeper gears until I get the 12 bolt rebuilt with new posi, currently 3.07 open diff. I think a 3.42 Posi will be better for the mean time, just got to be easy on the pedal with the gov. bomb. Can I use the 12 bolt axles or do I need to find some 10 bolt axles?

12-14-2009, 10:17 PM	#10
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: axle swap question good info we've found some 4x4 rearends around here but no 2wd ones, and if they are both 10 bolts and you can swap axles that be very easy. We have an 84 with a 2.72 or 2.73 gov loc 10 bolt and want 3.73 or 4.11 setup. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

12-15-2009, 12:04 AM	#11
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Re: axle swap question 10 bolt axles have 28 spline shafts from 78-87. 12 bolt axles have 30 spline shafte from 73-81... __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

12-15-2009, 07:34 PM	#12
vern350 like a rock Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 517	Re: axle swap question thank you

12-15-2009, 07:58 PM	#13
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Re: axle swap question No problem... __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.