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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: snibook7537 on March 06, 2012, 12:27:33 PM
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I might be buying an 1983 GMC k2500 with a 6.2 and a plow. The truck is an 83 so it's got the semi float rear end. I have a rot box 87 v3500 thats just sitting around rotting more. My question is would it be worth it to swap the full floater to the 3/4 ton truck if the gears are the same? I think I remember reading somewhere that the spring perches are different on one tons and 3/4 tons, is that true? Also am I actually going to really ever hurt the semi floater? I will mainly be plowing and scrapping stuff with it I occasionally put a real load on the 1 ton and I do occasionally do put a pretty heavy load when I'm scrapping but I kind don't know if it would be worth all the screwing around? I can't see myself doing any serious towing in the foreseeable future so maybe take that into account as well.
Thanks
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Read through http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,23173.0.html and see what Blazin thinks...
I thought the 83 K2500 with a diesel got the 14 bolt FF but maybe not. If the 87 V3500 is not a cab and chassis the rear end should fit fine.
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I've personally seen the semi-float 14 bolts doing jobs that a Dana 80 really should be doing. Specifically, it was under a late 80's Chevy K2500 pulling a gooseneck trailer with 4 cords of green oak firewood - the guy delivering the wood had a few screws loose - definitely don't try this at home.
Of course it wouldn't hold up for over a few months under those conditions. So when the semi-float broke, he'd just put swap another rear end under the truck.
The point is, the semi-float 14 bolt rear end he had under the truck held up for a remarkable amount of time considering the weight he was pulling and would probably do fine under your conditions.
My $0.02: Run the semi-float until it breaks. If it doesn't break and you get tired of looking at a flat hub on the rear end, then swap in the full-float axle.
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I am with Jason S on this one. You don't sound like you need the FF on your truck unless you want the bragging rights. ;D
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Thanks guys thats kind of what I was thinking. I don't really think it will break as I did a lot of stupid stuff with a 12 bolt in my c10 but this will see a lot more work so I wasn't sure. Thanks to all of you who replied.