Front differential swap on a k1500?

[LynnJr]

My 1/2 ton k1500 came with a 10 bolt rear-end and the small front end.
I am going to put a 12 bolt rear-end in it out of a 3/4 ton k2500 so I can lock the rear-end up for off highway use.
My front differential can't be locked and I don't know if a k2500 front will fit.
Anybody swapped this out?
I can get lockers for the k2500 front and rear I just need to know if it will fit?
And by fit I mean without modification

[b454rat]

its not a bolt in deal but it is doable. But that's not the only thing you need to do. The CV's won't go on, so need to swap to the 3/4 ton. But then the 3/4 ton CV's are too long so need to move the knuckle assembly out. Can't really move them out, so short answer no, it wont. If gonna be offroading it, then just SAS it and skip the weak links alltogether....

[95 S_Trucker]

There are 2 front differential diameters used on these trucks

7200 GVW and lower (K1500, K1500HD, K2500LD) got the 8.25" differential

8500 GVW and higher (K2500HD, K3500) got the 9.25" differential

The easy part is all the smaller differential trucks were 6 lug, and all with the bigger differential were 8 lug.

If your 12 bolt is 6 lug, I would keep the same front differential you have.

But if you had to have a 3/4 ton front differential in your truck, one from a K2500LD will bolt right in, but it would also be the same size as the one you currently have. It would be a waste of time.