Converting DRW to SRW

[86k5silverado]

So here's where I'm coming from. I just picked up a 1988 GMC V3500 Cab and Chassis. It's equipped with a 350 4BBL backed by an SM465. The truck was originally a lowboy dump truck for an excavating company and only has 53,000 original miles. The reason why I purchased this truck is because I plan on using the 1988 frame, axles, motor, and trans and slapping on 1979 body panels and a pickup bed so I can essentially have a 1979 K30.
Now I'm already aware that the overall wheelbase is 4" longer on the Cab and Chassis than on a regular pickup, I plan to deal with that later. The other question I have is whether or not i can convert the Cab and Chassis rear which is currently DRW to a SRW setup. Do you need to get different hubs, modify the rear end or completely get a new one? Any replies are much appreciated.
Thanks CJ

[abig84]

The SRW and C&C axles use the same housings and shafts, with the difference in width being in the hubs. The housings are actuallly identical except for the location of the backing plate flange. Drums & hubs are different, but backing plates, shoes, and wheel cylinders are the same) * The SRW and Van axles use the same hubs, the C&C and DRW axles use the same hubs; Though different, the SRW/Van hubs and the C&C/DRW hubs can be interchanged causing a change to the axles WMS (see pics below) SRW and C&C axle shafts are the same ** Van, DRW, and SRW/C&C axle shafts are all different lengths as follows (long/right side / short/left side):
Type 1 - SRW/C&C - 37-5/8" / 31-5/8"Type 2 - DRW - ??
Type 3 - Van - 39-3/8" / 33-3/8"
C&C and dually brakes are the same.In all cases one side axleshaft is shorter than the other; pinions are centered. 1350 appears to be the only available stock pinion yoke.1-tons feature 40.5" perch spacing - whether C&C or pickup, whether SRW or DRW. 3/4-ton is 42.5" spacing. (COUNTER) - The perchs on my C&C measure 36"Wheel studs went metric for the 88-up C/K trucks, and 96-up vans

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/

[86k5silverado]

Wow! Thank you a ton for all that valuable information. Definitely going to come in handy. So if I am understanding you correctly, and please correct me if I'm wrong and I apologize, I should be able to convert the rear axle to SRW by swapping out the drums and hubs for a SRW setup and relocation of the backing plates?

[abig84]

Originally Posted by 86k5silverado

Wow! Thank you a ton for all that valuable information. Definitely going to come in handy. So if I am understanding you correctly, and please correct me if I'm wrong and I apologize, I should be able to convert the rear axle to SRW by swapping out the drums and hubs for a SRW setup and relocation of the backing plates?

thats what it sounds like to me, i honestly had no idea the drums were different, i own two trucks one has a SRW the other a DRW 14bolt and the drums looked the same to me

you can definitely see the difference in the hubs, but im not 100% sure as i swapped over the SRW truck a few years ago to rear disc brakes so i cant eye ball the differences anymore.

you can probably try going to autozone.com or another part site with pictures and see if there is a difference or if the part numbers are different

[mingoman]

I couldn't on mine or at least didn't look at it hard enough if I could have. My 14 bolt DRW axel has a tube for the axel shaft the hub slips over, it's for the longer axel shafts.. There may be away to get that off, but I had a SRW axel available so I just swapped it out.