axle swaps

[clay7]

so i just picked up a 4x4 82 or so chevy pick up. its got a stock 10 bolt front and rear. theres a 73 gmc truck at the junk yard with a 44 and 6 lug 14 bolt. what all would i need to do the swap? as far as u joints and what not are concerned

[thirsty]

Is one of your axles bad? I wouldn't bother if is just to upgrade. 10 bolts are pretty good unless you are really beating on the truck with large tires. I've punished 10 bolts pretty bad in the past. If they broke it was always justified as far as I was concerned. I would swap to dana 60 if you really need an upgrade. For normal use and some occasional wheeling I would stay with whats underneath of it for now. My $.02 worth.

[slammed79]

I agree Thirsty. I've had ten bolts hold up with 35's and daily driving, occasional mud runs and camping.

[Blazin]

Our trucks were never offered with a 14 bolt that had 6 lug wheel studs.
Unless one of your axles is damaged beyond repair its not worth the hassle of swapping them out.
A Dana 60, and a full floating 14 bolt would be the swap you want to do in order to upgrade the axles substantially.

[Irish_Alley]

my buddy ran 38s and 44s on a 10 bolt never broke anything in the axle

[Jason S]

Are you certain the '73 you looked at had a 14 bolt rear and not a 12 bolt rear?  The Dana 44 is a very good axle, but may not be worth your time and money to swap it under your truck.

Since this is a discussion about axle swaps...  A 6-lug 14 bolt rear axle was offered under 1988 and up light-duty 2500's, some 1500 4x4's and there was also a 5-lug version for the 454 SS trucks.  The 6-lug 14 bolts will work under a '73 - 87 (91) truck, but modifications (i.e., spring mounts have to be moved, etc.) have to be done.  If that '73 has a 6-lug 14 bolt with all the mods done to it and the price is reasonable, that would be a worthwhile upgrade over your current 10-bolt rearend (in my opinion).
 

[clay7]

thanks for the input. my front end is making a terrible,and at this point kinda scary creaking clicking sound like the ball joints are about to pop. and the axles have ALOT of play. i work at the junk yard so the price shouldnt be too bad. my buddy has broken 3 10 bolt rears in his truck and swapped to the 14 and hasnt had any problem. and he beats his truck like an iraqui prisoner. this truck is pretty much stock with 33's,so at this point i may just be better off to rebuild it right?

[clay7]

where is a cheap place to get a rebuild kit for my front axle? my axles have alot of play in all directions and its way past time to do the ball joints.

[Irish_Alley]

if you dont have the tools or haven't done a rear yet, i would op for a junkyard one

[clay7]

well i planned on atleast doing the ball joins and seals if i were to swap in a used one. i've never dealt with a front axle before

[Irish_Alley]

ball joints, axle shaft u joints and seals well the outer on the rotor aint hard to do at all. while your at it check your wheel bearings for play

[clay7]

i finally did it and broke the front end. ready to invest in 8 lug. i need some help on figuring out what i need to swap in a 14 bolt and dana 60 since i have "dibbs" on the pair. but this is my only vehicle and need to have everything in place to do it in the weekends time. my biggest question right now is are the drivelines going to need to be different lengths on my truck?

[bake74]

i finally did it and broke the front end. ready to invest in 8 lug. i need some help on figuring out what i need to swap in a 14 bolt and dana 60 since i have "dibbs" on the pair. but this is my only vehicle and need to have everything in place to do it in the weekends time. my biggest question right now is are the drivelines going to need to be different lengths on my truck?

     Yes, drive lines are different lengths, also u-joints are not the same.  There is a u-joint kit that allows you to keep your 1/2 ton drive lines and hook up3/4 ton axles.

[clay7]

well as it is im lookin in to lifting 2 inches higher and need to lengthen my drivelines about an inch or 2 anyways. am i needing to go shorter or longer with the swap?

[bake74]

       Shorter, the 8 lug axles are bigger in dia and everything else.