5-lug to 8-lug 2wd hubs? 85' Suburban

[RamAirZ]

Hey guys, I just picked up a 1985 Suburban 1/2 ton 2wd. Down the line I am planning on swapping in a 14-bolt dually axle (8-lugs) and was wondering what all would be needed to convert the front. I'm not sure if the front end is alot different between the 1/2 ton and the 3/4 ton 8-lug trucks of my year. Like grabbing a dually pickup's front hubs for the dually front rims. I would think I would just need to swap out the 5-lug hub for an 8, but wanted to see if anyone had any information, thanks!

[tvblazer78]

Anyone?

[Jonboy]

IIRC, the control arms are different for 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton. Grab the suspension you are going to use from the arms out. The crossmember is the same.

[RamAirZ]

ok gotcha. I was thinking about doing that just to be safe anyways.

[tvblazer78]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

IIRC, the control arms are different for 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton. Grab the suspension you are going to use from the arms out. The crossmember is the same.

Thank you Jonboy...

[63chevyll]

the ball joints are bigger on 1 tons.....duallys ect...

[RamAirZ]

ok gotcha. That's mainly for the extra weight and what not on the front end, as most 1 tons etc came with big blocks or diesels, at least that's what I would assume.

[RamAirZ]

Well, I have a 91' 3/4 ton burb' arriving on Sunday for parts, it's a 2WD as well so I'm gonna yank out the 14 bolt rear (decided not to go dually, picked up some 2500HD 16" wheels) and for the front I should swap the upper/lower control arms over as well as the spindle/hub assembly correct? Now I plan on adding a winch to my truck down the line, think I should swap in the coil springs up front from the 3/4 ton while I'm at it? It has the 454 in it so I would assume the rate is different on them and would help when the winch goes on. Any advice? I planned on adding a 1in coil spacer to the front down the road anyways (might do it now while it's all apart), just not sure if I should do the springs or not. It'll have a heavy duty winch bumper on it too. On the rear axle, I know the pinion yoke is different, and I'm pretty sure the 91 has the 2pc driveshaft like mine, could I just swap out the rear section of the driveshaft, that way my front section fits my 700R4 and the rear would bolt up to the 14bolt?