lug conversion

[Torque]

Hey Fellaz,

This question concerns my 84' Sierra 2WD. In a further pursuit of getting my truck in a status I am happy with, I have come to swapping in a new diff. My truck was equipt from the factory with a 10-bolt non-posi 3.08. I am also just in the process of doing a 1-ton axle swap in my 80 4x4 silverado and will have a 12-bolt posi 3.73 from it that will no longer be used. The 12-bolt is the perfect candidate for the swap because it's posi, and has all the proper dimensions and spring perches to just bolt it all up. My only issue with doing the swap is the fact that my Sierra is a 5-lug truck and the donor 12 bolt diff is 6-lug. So I figured maybe, just maybe I could pull 6-lug front end parts off another 2WD truck from the wreckers and finish off the swap that way. My main guestion is: What is the list of parts I am going to need to do this swap? Just rotors and hubs? or will I need complete spindles from the donor truck?

I have also had plans of slamming this truck too, so I have also thought about an axle flip. How much drop will that give me? The front drop will be matched accordingly.

Thanks for any input.

[ElGracho]

Swap the rear axles. Find a 2wd 12 bolt and get the axles and brake drums.

The 4x4 front brakes parts and spindles won't fit the 2wd.

[magnethead]

would GM have been nice enough to tap the axles for both patterns? I doubt it, but figured it was worth a try...

[BarryB]

Leave The frontend alone. If I read correctlly. You are swapping a 6 lug in place of a 5 lug rearend?? If this is the case . Just take your axle's and drums from the 6 lug and have them redrilled for the 5 lug bolt pattern. Any respectable machine shop should be able to do this. And isn't all that expensive. considering the time and money you'll save from swapping frontend parts.
I am doing this very same thing with my truck. Hope this helps.

[Torque]

Originally Posted by ElGracho

Swap the rear axles. Find a 2wd 12 bolt and get the axles and brake drums.

My plan was to keep the donor 12-bolt together and built the way it sits. I have a good chunk of money into chromoly axles so would rather not drill them out and or replace them. But just swapping the axles WOULD have worked well, too bad it isn't that easy.

Originally Posted by ElGracho

The 4x4 front brakes parts and spindles won't fit the 2wd.

I wasn't talking about swapping the 6-lug parts off my 4x4, I was hoping to pull them off a 2wd donor truck at the wreckers.

But anyways, you guy's have filled my head with quite a few new ideas. I'll keep you guy's posted as to what ends up happening.

[bbchevy]

The only problem with that is the fact that 2WD trucks never came with 6 lug axles. Otherwise it would have worked fine. If you get the axles and drums drilled it wont hurt them at all. I would say that would be your best bet. But thats just me.

-Scott

[Prerunner1982]

67-70 chevy trucks were 6 lug and 2wd if i remember correctly, might look into swapping parts from one of those trucks over to yours... I am not sure on the compatability... but just another idea....