The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Engine & Drivetrain

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-18-2011, 08:28 AM   #1
C15_Sierra
Registered User
 
C15_Sierra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Hartford CT
Posts: 223
Axle swap?

Would it be possible to swap axles from a 12-bolt 2WD (5-lug) with 2.76's, into a similar-vintage 12-bolt 4WD (6 lug) housing?

Backstory: I'm in the market for putting a 3.73 posi, trying to do it cost effective (my truck's not gonna be a high performance road burner, but I still want some get up and go). 2WD's are rare around here, so 3.73 posi's are few and far between for 2WD trucks.

There's a guy locally who's selling a "early 80s" Chevy 12-bolt posi with 4.10's, but its from a K10, so its 6-lug. Would I be able to swap the axles from my 12-bolt into the other 12-bolt? The 12 bolt for sale has also been recently rebuilt, whereas mine is condition unknown (didn't make any funny noises during the 10 miles I put on it before I took it off the road for the engine swap)

Advice?
__________________
-Steve

1980 GMC C15 Sierra LWB
Dark Carmine Red/Carmine Int
Was: 250/3spd (1980-88), then a 305/TH350 (1988-2011)
Now: 5.3/4L60E, 2.73 12-bolt open rear
C15_Sierra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2011, 02:59 PM   #2
crazy longhorn
Fabricate till you "puke"
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
Re: Axle swap?

Quote:
Originally Posted by C15_Sierra View Post
Would it be possible to swap axles from a 12-bolt 2WD (5-lug) with 2.76's, into a similar-vintage 12-bolt 4WD (6 lug) housing?

Backstory: I'm in the market for putting a 3.73 posi, trying to do it cost effective (my truck's not gonna be a high performance road burner, but I still want some get up and go). 2WD's are rare around here, so 3.73 posi's are few and far between for 2WD trucks.

There's a guy locally who's selling a "early 80s" Chevy 12-bolt posi with 4.10's, but its from a K10, so its 6-lug. Would I be able to swap the axles from my 12-bolt into the other 12-bolt? The 12 bolt for sale has also been recently rebuilt, whereas mine is condition unknown (didn't make any funny noises during the 10 miles I put on it before I took it off the road for the engine swap)

Advice?
On your 80 Gmc, you should be able to swap that The axles should also interchange(just look at the drum widths), & if you find them different, you will need to swap your backing plates also. Best of fun,crazyL
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....
crazy longhorn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2011, 03:06 PM   #3
Pyrotechnic
Registered User
 
Pyrotechnic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 3,930
Re: Axle swap?

I believe the shock mounts are different, to make up for the higher ride height that the 4x4 trucks have. Nothing that cant be fixed with a little grinding and welding though.
__________________
1977 GMC Sierra Grande
Pyrotechnic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2011, 12:46 AM   #4
Captainfab
60-66 Nut

 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,246
Re: Axle swap?

The 12 bolts from '71-'82 are the same width. So as long as both are within that range, the axles will interchange. Also to my knowledge, the last year for the 12 bolt in a K10 was '79-'80, but they were used in the C10's thru '82. I have not tried it, but I have read that the 12 bolt axles will interchange with the 8.5 10 bolt axles.
__________________
Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE
Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE
Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE
Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE
Captainfab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2011, 05:43 PM   #5
C15_Sierra
Registered User
 
C15_Sierra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Hartford CT
Posts: 223
Re: Axle swap?

A 10-bolt swap is next in line in terms of preference, I have no problems w/ that. Besides, it widens the scope of my search for used parts and makes it easier to find because of the newer squares and OBS trucks that haven't been claimed by rust.

The guy didn't specify year ("early 80s", or maybe he doesn't know what he has), but I figured it being a 12-bolt truck axle with six lugs, it had to come out of a K10
__________________
-Steve

1980 GMC C15 Sierra LWB
Dark Carmine Red/Carmine Int
Was: 250/3spd (1980-88), then a 305/TH350 (1988-2011)
Now: 5.3/4L60E, 2.73 12-bolt open rear
C15_Sierra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2011, 11:27 PM   #6
Captainfab
60-66 Nut

 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,246
Re: Axle swap?

Not necessarily. The '63-'70 12 bolts were 6 lug and were available in the C10's with the trailing arm suspension.
__________________
Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE
Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE
Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE
Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE
Captainfab is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
12 bolt, 5 lug, axle, swap

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com