rear axle swap

[Magic1]

I'm working on an 82 gmc Sierra 4x4 and I'm wondering if anyone knows which years will swap without modifying anything. I'm pretty sure 73-87 will but is 87 the cutoff year or does it go up into the 90s.

[Captkaos]

bolt in is 1982-1987 if you want a 10bolt, if you want a 14bolt, anything from 73-87(91) but in the same bodystyle, but the ujoints and yokes are different.
If you care to use a 12 bolt 73-81 will work also, but you will need a hybrid ujoint to use your current driveshaft.

[Magic1]

I've currently got a 12 bolt in it now so to go to a ten bolt will I be able to use my drive shaft by going with a different u-joint?

[Captkaos]

You should be able to.

[Magic1]

Ok. One more question. I'm considering just keeping my 12 bolt and ditching the open carrier for a locker. Most of the ones I'm looking at specify 30 spline axles in the rear. Are all gm 12 bolt truck diffs equipped with 30 count splines or are there variations?

[Captkaos]

All 12bolts Truck axles were 30 spline.

[Magic1]

Thanks for the help. Went with a Spartan locker and installed it over the weekend. Fixed it right up!