should we switch now

[evan396]

my dad and i are thinking about switching the axles out on my 1966 k20. we are probaly like everyone else in having problems finding brake parts for the eaton rear end and the cost. and the front end is still sitting in the back yard, and we have concerns about that, because it also has drums.we have the frame ready to go out to get sand blasted and painted when it comes back. we also dropped the leaf springs off at the local spring shop to get repaired, and will get them back next week. before we go any futher we would like to get your advice about switching out the front and rear ends, best to ask now before we start putting it back together. we would like it to be eight lug also. i guess we need to know what doner vehicle and year to get them out of. he also wants it to be a posi rear. we also have access to a welder if we need to move the spring perches or shock mounts. any advice would be greatly appreciated , thank you evan 396

[bhc41051]

Evan you shouldn't have too much trouble finding and installing a set of K20 differentials from a 73-87 GM truck. Parts availability isn't a problem and you could find a more highway friendly ratio than your 4.56. I just swapped my Dana 44 rear for a corporate 12 bolt in my 62 K10. I had to move the spring perches in 1/4 of an inch, install the brake hose mount from the old dana and order custom parking brake cables from Inline Tube.

[andrewmp6]

From a 73-87 truck get a dana 60 front and a 14 bolt for the rear and make sure the 14 bolt is a full float not a semi float.The dana 60 should bolt in it in the 14 bolt will take a little welding moving the spring perches.

[evan396]

Thanks guys. my dad stopped at the local junk yard on the way home from work. the guy has two sets already out. my dad asked if they had posi/limted slip rears , he said no and they were hard to get. can you tell us if that is correct. also we would be interest in your opinions on what gear ratio to get. we will be using the stock transmission (4-speed/granny low) and probably 33/35 inch tires. thanks again for your help evan396

[ripper70]

I run a heavy dana 44 8 lug in the front and 14 bolt out of a late 70s van. I run 4.10's with 35s and that's perfect for me. Ive had 4.56's and that's to low for the highway imo unless you own stock in chevron..lol.

[flyingtim01]

Hey Evan,

I'm in Clinton too. Small world.

I have a '71 with the Eaton in the rear, and I could find everything I needed on Rockauto (except the drums) and nothing was too expensive, even the shoes. That was a couple years ago, and I think the Centric is even making new drums for that axle now, depending on the size (measure your drums to make sure).

Another option (for keeping the original axle in the truck, which is stronger and lighter than any 14b you could swap in) is to grab the backing plates & drums off one of those junkyard axles and swap them out with your stock ones. They're pretty much a bolt on

- check this thread for more details -
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=536119

Yours is an earlier axle than mine, so pay attention to wheel stud size.

Lockers (No-Spin) are around for the Eatons, though you can't buy them new any longer. Post up a WTB here if you stick with the Eaton, guys toss those axles all the time and I have to believe a good number of them have a No-Spin. If you swap in a 14b, you can buy any number of lockers brand new.

[evan396]

Thanks ripper, flyingtim, did we see you last weekend at bb in Branford? We are going to keep our options open for now and do some more research. It would be nice , just to change to the newer drums.

[flyingtim01]

Nah, wasn't me. I wish I could spend some money at B&B on my old truck, but right now all of it is getting spent on my old house. You're more likely to see me at Steward's hardware!

Good to keep your options open, don't dive right into an axle swap. Think about what you're actually going to do with the truck and go from there.

[evan396]

Just like to know if anyone had any experience in doing the drum conversion on their Eaton rear end. We have read some of the other posts and it does seem like a reasonable solution. Any suggestions or experience on this swap would be helpful. Thanks evan396

[andrewmp6]

http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index7.html has a kit for the eaton rear end.

[evan396]

Sorry andrewmp6 , should have mentioned that we are interested in the drum to drum swap as posted by flyingtim01. Thanks evan396

[argonaut]

I did the same swap on my 66 k10. Bought a 73 k20 parts truck and swapped in the axles. Believe me, that 14 bolt axle is HEAVY. Unless you are a rock crawler a Dana44 front axle will be fine. Though it does have bigger brake disks that would be useful if you tow heavy loads. I

[thiesnutz]

the 14bolt ff is an outstanding axle. yes its heavy but if you do a disc brake conversion you can shed an easy 70lbs, and theres numerous aftermarket dealers out there.