What year Chevy axles will fit on a 72 K10

[submariner68]

I bought a 1972 K10 SWB truck that was converted to a sled pulling mud truck. It has M715 axles on it now and I want to bring it back on the road. Don’t know anything about 4x4’s yet so need some help. What would be the best year of truck to get the axles off of that would be easy to fit onto my 72? Would be nice if I didn’t have to do much work to make them fit. Thanks in advance! Ernie
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[kwmech]

Any straight axle chevy will bolt in the front. Rear can be mix of what rear you want to put under it depending on lug nut count

[submariner68]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Any straight axle chevy will bolt in the front. Rear can be mix of what rear you want to put under it depending on lug nut count

73-up will work?
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[kwmech]

Originally Posted by submariner68

73-up will work?
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Yup, up to 91 in the Suburban and Blazer. Up to 86 in the trucks. 87 was the new body style and ifs

[mongocanfly]

bad thing is not much will bolt into your truck with that suspension setup..did they do any frame mods on it?

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by submariner68

73-up will work?
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Yes and no. Depends on what you are after. 73-87 1 ton rear axles will bolt in and have the correct 67-72 leaf spring spacing. You will need to move one shock mount to complete the swap. Anything thing 3/4 or 1/2 ton regardless of 2 or four wheel drive will need the spring perches moved and a shock mount as well. As said above any front from 71-87(91) will bolt in and have disk brakes.there were only 3 front axles offered in those years, dana 44, GM 10 bolt(very very close copy of the dana 44), and the king of them all Dana 60. The lock in hubs vary thru the years, axle manufactures (dana,GM) vary, axle shaft and axle u joint sizes vary slightly in the early 70’s dana 44’s as well but they will all bolt up and accept the same steering boxes, drag link, shocks etc. My personal preference axle wise even though you’ve only got a half ton is 73+ 1 ton 14 bolt rear with a ‘77+ 1 ton dana 60 front axle. This combo is as close to bomb proof as you will ever get. If you want to stay 1/2 ton 6 lug, a 69-72 4x4 rear is the only one that will be bolt in.

Originally Posted by kwmech

Yup, up to 91 in the Suburban and Blazer. Up to 86 in the trucks. 87 was the new body style and ifs

Sorta… 88 model year was the first of the IFS GMT 400 platform which did start production in the second half of ‘87. An ‘87 model year is still a square body. Crew cab 1 ton carried over to 91 as well. (I’m confident you knew that but pointing out for others that may not)

[bobvilla67]

I have a 1/2 ton 6 lug axle with stock springs a sway bar in Dallas if you’re interested. I was keeping it for a project but have decided to get rid of it.
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[submariner68]

Originally Posted by bobvilla67

I have a 1/2 ton 6 lug axle with stock springs a sway bar in Dallas if you’re interested. I was keeping it for a project but have decided to get rid of it.
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[submariner68]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

bad thing is not much will bolt into your truck with that suspension setup..did they do any frame mods on it?

Yes there are no springs on the back welded on brackets to make it a sled pulling mud truck. They did a good job so o can remove it and put a more stock suspension on it.
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[submariner68]

Originally Posted by bobvilla67

I have a 1/2 ton 6 lug axle with stock springs a sway bar in Dallas if you’re interested. I was keeping it for a project but have decided to get rid of it.
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Hey Bobby! Is this a front or rear axle and is it a 10 bolt or Dana? If it’s a rear axle is it a 14 bolt. Also, what is the gear ratio on it. I plan to run an automatic transmission.. Hope all is well with you and yours buddy! Will have to get together for lunch sometime and catch up. Take care!
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[submariner68]

Thanks for any info you have as I know nothing about 4wd trucks.

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Yes and no. Depends on what you are after. 73-87 1 ton rear axles will bolt in and have the correct 67-72 leaf spring spacing. You will need to move one shock mount to complete the swap. Anything thing 3/4 or 1/2 ton regardless of 2 or four wheel drive will need the spring perches moved and a shock mount as well. As said above any front from 71-87(91) will bolt in and have disk brakes.there were only 3 front axles offered in those years, dana 44, GM 10 bolt(very very close copy of the dana 44), and the king of them all Dana 60. The lock in hubs vary thru the years, axle manufactures (dana,GM) vary, axle shaft and axle u joint sizes vary slightly in the early 70’s dana 44’s as well but they will all bolt up and accept the same steering boxes, drag link, shocks etc. My personal preference axle wise even though you’ve only got a half ton is 73+ 1 ton 14 bolt rear with a ‘77+ 1 ton dana 60 front axle. This combo is as close to bomb proof as you will ever get. If you want to stay 1/2 ton 6 lug, a 69-72 4x4 rear is the only one that will be bolt in.




Sorta… 88 model year was the first of the IFS GMT 400 platform which did start production in the second half of ‘87. An ‘87 model year is still a square body. Crew cab 1 ton carried over to 91 as well. (I’m confident you knew that but pointing out for others that may not)

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[submariner68]

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Yes and no. Depends on what you are after. 73-87 1 ton rear axles will bolt in and have the correct 67-72 leaf spring spacing. You will need to move one shock mount to complete the swap. Anything thing 3/4 or 1/2 ton regardless of 2 or four wheel drive will need the spring perches moved and a shock mount as well. As said above any front from 71-87(91) will bolt in and have disk brakes.there were only 3 front axles offered in those years, dana 44, GM 10 bolt(very very close copy of the dana 44), and the king of them all Dana 60. The lock in hubs vary thru the years, axle manufactures (dana,GM) vary, axle shaft and axle u joint sizes vary slightly in the early 70’s dana 44’s as well but they will all bolt up and accept the same steering boxes, drag link, shocks etc. My personal preference axle wise even though you’ve only got a half ton is 73+ 1 ton 14 bolt rear with a ‘77+ 1 ton dana 60 front axle. This combo is as close to bomb proof as you will ever get. If you want to stay 1/2 ton 6 lug, a 69-72 4x4 rear is the only one that will be bolt in.




Sorta… 88 model year was the first of the IFS GMT 400 platform which did start production in the second half of ‘87. An ‘87 model year is still a square body. Crew cab 1 ton carried over to 91 as well. (I’m confident you knew that but pointing out for others that may not)

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[57taskforce]

Submariner, no problem and I also fixed the quotes for you.

Also my above post is assuming you put OE style (lift height won’t matter here) leaf springs, and shocks in the factory locations back in it.

[bobvilla67]

It’s the corporate 10 bolt for the front. Not sure of gears. Haven’t opened it up. I also have ho52 that came from a 72 3/4 ton 4x4. I’ve been keeping it as a spare for mine. Just let me know if want to swing by.
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[franken]

The OP may want to think of what diff ratio is desired, and the lug count. I'm not sure if an M715 has the same lug pattern as a GM vehicle of a similar vintage. Remember that later 8 lug setupe of course went metric and aren't the same as earlier ones. Diff ratios have to be close, if not the same and a K10 would be 6 lug, but some prefer heavier duty axles on a 4x4. The current front axle has drum brakes, while in 72 GM used disk brakes.

[submariner68]

I would like to come by and look at it sometime. Let me know when it would be a good time. Thanks! Ernie

Originally Posted by bobvilla67

It’s the corporate 10 bolt for the front. Not sure of gears. Haven’t opened it up. I also have ho52 that came from a 72 3/4 ton 4x4. I’ve been keeping it as a spare for mine. Just let me know if want to swing by.
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[bobvilla67]

Ernie. I will be out there this weekend. I will send you my number.
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