10 Bolt Axle swap or 12 Bolt retrofit

[Geezer2]

My rear carrier destoyed on my 82 4x4 (2.73 10 bolt) a couple of weeks ago and I have been looking for another diff. Today I was at a major salvage yard and they told me they believe a 1/2 ton diff from 73-87 will work (as long as it is a 2.73 10 bolt) and all I have to do is remove the 1/2 ton 5 lug axles and install my 6 lug axles. I would not have thought the 6 lug would be a replacement for a 5 lug axles but maybe the splines will match, I do not know. This discussion came up becasue I was about to make them a deal on a 12 bolt 2.73 and retrofit it to my truck. They said the spring hardware will never work from the 10 to the 12. Does anyone have a Hollander salvage manual or other sources that would verify some of this info before I undertake allot of of work? I'll be most grateful. Thanks