1983 k10 front end

[joelsarda]

i have a 1983 k10 with a 8" lift and 39" tires,
i was wanting to replace the front end (blown) with a 3/4 ton front end.
which one should i use?  hopefully a reasonably priced one,  and will it screw up having the 1/2 ton rear end?
thank you.
- Joel

[zieg85]

Welcome from NW Indiana.  Your K10 has 6 lugs and in stock fashion has 15 inch rims while a 3/4 ton has 8 lugs and 16 inch rims.  If you have the same tire diameter, gear ratio and don't mind having different rims than it should be fine.  The drive shaft universal joints may be larger in a 3/4 ton as well.  If it were me I would either replace what you have with another one or get a 3/4 ton parts truck and change them both.  My $.02

[bake74]

     I second zieg85, as he stated if you don't mind having different lugs front to back, the universal joint will be larger but you can get an adaptor from a auto parts store to hook the 1/2 ton joint to the 3/4 ton yolk.  Also welcome from California.

[slammed79]

I agree with zieg and bake, find a parts truck and let the frankenstiening begin.

Welcome from Arizona.

[VileZambonie]

How about a dana 44?

[Blazin]

You have a 10 bolt in there now. If you swap to a 3/4 ton front end of the same vintage it will still be a 10 bolt. 80 or so and up 1/2 and 3/4 tons both use ten bolts. Just like 73 - 79 / 80 ish 1/2 and 3/4 tons use Dana 44s.
And Dana 44 in my opinion isn't enough stronger than a 10 bolt to make a hill of beans difference. If you find an 8 lug axle with the same gears as your 6 lug rearend, just swap the hub / rotor assembly off your 10 bolt on to it.

[joelsarda]

ok i have spacers converting it to a 8lug, so the rims would fit,  im liking the idea of getting a parts truck and changing both.  but its good to know that its ok to just change the front   thank you.
- Joel

[Grim 82]

its ok to just change the front

...as long as the front and rear ratios are the same.