Swapping Rears

[lukecp]

Well, the time has come for me to swap rear axles in my '72 C10 (coil spring 12-bolt). The old one is still functional, but on its last leg.

I shoud pick one up sometime this week, if not tomorrow. To check out the junkyard rear i plan to pop the cover, check the gear ratio (looking for 3.07), look for any metal particles in the fluid, look at the contact patch on the gears, and check for excess play in the pinion.
Any other suggestions? I don't want to put another junk rear in my truck.

The install looks pretty straight forward. Just unhook the brakes at the rubber hose, plug the line, remove the tracking arm, remove the driveshaft, then unbolt the U-bolts and slide the axle out (my e-brake cables are gone, so i don't have to worry about removing them). That sound pretty good?

Also, how should i go about suspending the truck in the air? I don't want it to crush me, lol. I was thinking of blocking the frong wheels, and putting jackstands on the framerails infront of the rear, and behind the rear too. And sliding the rear out from the side....if that is possible.

I have never done a rear swap before....but i do have mechanical ability and am not afraid to tear into it.

Any help is greatly appreciated