Is this a 12 bolt?

[MDPotter]

This rear end has been on the FB marketplace for about a week and I'm wondering if it's a suitable swap for my 6-lug Dana 44. I've been researching options to convert my Dana to 5 lug but just haven't found a good option. I can swap axle shafts on a 12 lug pretty easy and if it's the wider rear end that eliminates the need for wheel spacers.

I want to get some measurements off it and compare to my dana to see how they compare.

Does this look like a 12 bolt? The seller says it's from a 1/2 ton Chevy or GMC but doesn't know what year.

[1971Stepside]

Looks like one to me.

[MJN]

Yes- thats a 12 bolt

[Killer Bee]

looks like one to me.. here's the 6 lug 12 bolt under my 71 K1500 suburban you can compare with.. good luck!

[notsolo]

What year had shock mounts like that....oposing direction?

[gmc684x4]

Yes its a truck 12 bolt

[Killer Bee]

I edited my post, my axle pics are under a suburban, sorry I left that out..

just trying to help with the diff ID, shock mounts could be different on a p/u..

my apologies for any confusion..

[MJN]

Originally Posted by notsolo

What year had shock mounts like that....oposing direction?

Square body trucks, Blazer, Suburbans- '73 and newer

[gmc684x4]

MJN is correct it will be from a 73 to 87 K10 truck
the 67 72 K10s have the perch's on top of the diff and the 73 up have the spring perches on the bottom

I initially just looked at mounts at the bottom and 6 bolt axles

you will have to fab up a panhard bar mount as well for locating it as well

Do you have a pic a parts kind of place start looking there
My thoughts are if it dont bolt in have to change axles might as well look for a 5 bolt axle then you only have to re fab the mounts to fit

another way to do this is look for a parts 67 72 truck with a 12 bolt swap diffs and sell the parts truck for what you paid for it

I have done this to get a dana 44 with disc and a 205 tcase for my 69 I used to have

[Richard]

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

MJN is correct it will be from a 73 to 87 K10 truck
the 67 72 K10s have the perch's on top of the diff and the 73 up have the spring perches on the bottom

I initially just looked at mounts at the bottom and 6 bolt axles

you will have to fab up a panhard bar mount as well for locating it as well

Do you have a pic a parts kind of place start looking there
My thoughts are if it dont bolt in have to change axles might as well look for a 5 bolt axle then you only have to re fab the mounts to fit

another way to do this is look for a parts 67 72 truck with a 12 bolt swap diffs and sell the parts truck for what you paid for it

I have done this to get a dana 44 with disc and a 205 tcase for my 69 I used to have

Have never seen a GM full-size leaf sprung truck in a spring under configuration. The axle is upside down in the first picture.

[MDPotter]

I haven't look at local junkyards yet, I might do that. I thought $60 for a 12 bolt (even for 6 lug) wasn't bad. I don't know the shape of the internals though.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Richard

Have never seen a GM full-size leaf sprung truck in a spring under configuration. The axle is upside down in the first picture.

This is correct. I don’t see how you could go wrong for $60 honestly unless it’s gots holes in the cover from it grenading. (that doesn’t appear to be the case). I know some dont care much for the truck 12 bolts but I’ve had good luck with them in the past.

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

This is correct. I don’t see how you could go wrong for $60 honestly unless it’s gots holes in the cover from it grenading. (that doesn’t appear to be the case). I know some dont care much for the truck 12 bolts but I’ve had good luck with them in the past.

might even score a good ratio gear set or posi

[MDPotter]

The guy says he has no use for 1/2 ton axles so I'll probably grab it and see what it's got for $60. Best case, I can repaint it and rebuild the brakes and swap it out so I can actually get 5 lug rear axles and the wheels I want.