Author Topic: k 30 axle swap  (Read 4171 times)

Offline rs74

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k 30 axle swap
« on: December 05, 2009, 09:16:38 pm »
Hi everyone. new guy here.  i am looking for some info on k30 trucks and axles.  I have a 84 k30 dually cab and chassis truck with 11 foot bed.  I have picked up another k30 single axle truck that some had taken out the front axle.  The second truck is a 85 regular cab with 8 foot bed.  What i am contemplating is taking the dually front and rear axles off the 84 and putting on the 85.  First question i have is are the frames more or less the same between the two as far as being sturdy and able to take the same abuse.  The 84 looks to be a little more stout in the rear section of the frame, although i really havent looked up under the 85 real close.  My second question, are the axles a direct bolt in front and rear.  I thought there was a difference in width from a dually that had a regular bed to a cab and chassis truck.  I am wanting to do this because i dont need such a long truck.  To hard to turn in tight spots and just manuver in general.  I could cut down the frame on the 84 but i dont really like the sound of that and also the rear-end sets more towards the very back of the frame.  Then i would have to scab on some frame on the back to make it look right.  If anyone has knowledge of this i sure would appreciate some input.  Dont know if i should do this or just redo the 84 frame. Thanks in advance.   

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: k 30 axle swap
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2009, 03:57:24 am »
welcome from Maryland but wow i just don't know what to tell you about the sizes and all you should be ok if you just swap out the axles and leave the leafs alone they might be a bit diffrent but they should be the same lol best thing i would say is measure haven't really messed with k30s
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Offline Blazin

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Re: k 30 axle swap
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2009, 06:17:51 am »
The cab and chassis rear axle is narrower than a pick up style. The inside tire will hit the inner edge of the wheel well on the bed. Sock mounts are different as well pickups are outboard of the frame. Cab, and chassis are inboard the frame. It can be done just not a direct plug, and play.
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Offline rs74

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Re: k 30 axle swap
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2009, 03:54:02 pm »
well i plan on putting on a flat bed on the truck so that will not be an issue.  maybe i will have to see what it will take to move the shock mounts.  also looked at the dually today and there is a two foot section that is between the rear of both fuel tanks and the front of the passenger side shock mount.  may just cut that section out and shorten the frame to eight foot.  i mentioned that the truck had an 11 foot frame behind the cab but i measured it today and it was only 10 foot.