Author Topic: 73-87 axles  (Read 4010 times)

Offline mp76k10

  • Site Supporters
  • Newbie
  • ******
  • Posts: 44
73-87 axles
« on: March 23, 2006, 09:51:00 AM »
are the front and rear axle assy's interchangeable for all 1/2 ton 4x4 pickups and blazers from 73-87?  for example, can i take a whole assy from an 86 blazer (front and rear) and put it in a 76 k10 4x4?  are they bolt in installations?  I have lots of 83-87 4x4 parts available in my area, body's are usually shot from rust but drivetrains aren't too bad.  i was thinking of putting something a llittle newer in my 76 k10 4x4 and going through it as i did it. rather than rebuilding what's there. i drive the truck quite a bit and i didn't want to tie it up being torn apart. i'd rather just put the parts in.

truck?  what truck?

Offline roundedline

  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2228
Re: 73-87 axles
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2006, 11:43:00 AM »

Offline mp76k10

  • Site Supporters
  • Newbie
  • ******
  • Posts: 44
Re: 73-87 axles
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2006, 11:51:00 AM »
thanks chris. that's what I've thought from reading through but didn't know if there were any quirks.

truck?  what truck?

Offline roundedline

  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2228
Re: 73-87 axles
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2006, 12:19:00 PM »
The only "quirks" you may run into is going from a 12bolt to a 10bolt.  The input yoke isn't the same...  This is true if you get anything above about 1981 for the drivetrain pieces...

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project


Offline Blazin

  • Blazin new trails!
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6130
Re: 73-87 axles
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2006, 06:34:00 PM »
Why do you want to go newer? The older axles Dana 44 and 12 bolts are better than the ten bolts. ( My opinion )

Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs

Offline mp76k10

  • Site Supporters
  • Newbie
  • ******
  • Posts: 44
Re: 73-87 axles
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2006, 07:31:00 AM »
I'm going newer mainly because that's what's available in my local salvage yards. I'm in the northeast (VT) and rust and scale are huge issues.  If somethings been sitting in a salvage yard for 10 years, most likely it's sitting on dirt and is worthless to try to deal with because of the moisture and weather changes we have year round.  I've been calling around to see what's out there, and most of it is 83, 84 and 85.  There are a lot of blazers around, and a fair number of pickups.  Like I said earlier, the body is usually shot. they drive these things literally until the body falls off and then they get parked.

truck?  what truck?

Offline roundedline

  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2228
Re: 73-87 axles
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2006, 09:50:00 AM »
Oh yeah, you also need to get them from the same vehicle, or at least the same gearing in the axles.

Why are you replacing them instead of rebuilding them?

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project


Offline Blazin

  • Blazin new trails!
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6130
Re: 73-87 axles
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2006, 10:03:00 PM »
I am in New Hampshire. What gears are you looking for I have several sets of 12 bolt rear and Dana 44 front ends. Matching from same rig in nice shape etc. Drop me an e-mail.
hknottwelldanbury@yahoo.com  

Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs