83 Chevy Axle Question

[Roostr84]

Hi all,
I am looking at an 83 Chevy 3/4 ton 4wd. Looks like it has six lug axles. I am not really too familiar with this style axle as the 3/4 tons I have had have all been 14bolts w/ 8 lugs. Would someone school me on these axles. I was looking to use this truck for plowing a large commercial property and normal truck stuff and I am worried about their strength for this application.
Thanks.

[WarBeard]

The 14 bolt semi floater can be converted to six lug pretty easy.
still a 3/4 ton axle just lighter duty than the 14 bolt full floater.

[turbotank]

Well,if it is a 3/4 ton,that would probably be a light duty 3/4.I would think that it would have a 12 bolt in 83,but I could be wrong.My stepdad has a 3/4 ton van with a 12 bolt,and it has towed vehicles twice its size with no problem.Now,if somehow it is a 10 bolt,I would not put it thru those paces.

Oh,and a 14 bolt was not offered in 83 in six bolt,so the best way to get info is to crawl under and check bolts,cause like motomech said,someone could have swapped it.

[ChaseDale3and8]

It sounds like a 1/2 ton to me. If it has 6 lug axles it is definately a 1/2 ton. 3/4 tons all had 8 lug wheels. In '83 the 1/2 tons had a corporate 10 bolt rear. As I recall 1980 was the last year that GM used the 12 bolt rears in their 1/2 ton trucks. They were replaced with the 10 bolt from 1981 on. GM used two different 3/4 ton rear axles in these trucks.

A full floating 14 bolt with a 10 1/4" (I believe) ring gear and a 14 bolt 9 3/4" (I believe) ring gear were used. GM started using the smaller 14 bolt beginning in 1981, but also used the larger 14 bolt as well in heavy duty 3/4 and 1 tons through 1987. The larger full floating rear is the preferred axle of the two and is easily identified by the large rear hub.

The smaller 14 bolt looks like a larger version of a 1/2 ton axle. The full float rear is called "full floating" since you can unbolt the axles from the hub with the truck on the ground and pull them out. The smaller 14 bolt uses C-clips to retain the axles just like the 1/2 tons do.

I may not have all the facts exactly straight as far as ring and pinion sizes, so somebody more knowledgeable than I am may chime in here, but you have the general idea what to look for to determine exactly what you have. I have owned them all over the years, and the 14 bolt full floating rear is by far the strongest. They are just about indestructible. If you have one, better hang on to it. ...Joe