10 bolt axle interchange

[Just4Fun]

i searched for this but it's hard to search for 10 bolt here with the minimum word requirements, you know? anyway, bearings went out in my 10 bolt rear so i'm looking to swap in a salvaged unit and get back on the road as quickly as possible.

it's hard to come by a 6 lug direct replacement but i have found a number of 5 lug units available. can I swap my 6 lug axle shafts into the 5 lug 2wd unit without any issues?

this is for my 86 gmc k1500 short bed with 28 spline 10 bolt rear.

 

[01maroonz71]

im 99percent sure you shafts will swap right in. im sure somebody will chime in though who knows for sure.

 

[pauly383]

Yeah , they will work if the splines the same .

 

[Pvt. Maggot]

They are dime a dozen around here, did you check craigslist, and your local junkyards? I've actually seen people use 5 lug rear axles, and then keep them that way, a guy was selling a blazer like that, was real junky, but he wanted 5k I told him he could keep it hah! As everyone else said i'm pretty sure it will work as long as the spline count is the same.

 

[Wrench]

Any 8.5" ten bolt unit will work up until 1988, when they changed to 30 spline.

 

[Just4Fun]

ok excellent..

one more thing..

10 bolt fact or fiction.. the side/spider gears from either carrier (28 or 30 spline) can be interchanged to accept either shaft?

 

[Just4Fun]

when I'm looking at axles that have already been removed what would be a sure give-a-way to distinguish between the 28/30 spline year models?

 

[Just4Fun]

10 bolt fact or fiction.. the side/spider gears from either carrier (28 or 30 spline) can be interchanged to accept either shaft?

well i guess i found my answer..

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206333

 

[obijuan]

when I'm looking at axles that have already been removed what would be a sure give-a-way to distinguish between the 28/30 spline year models?

count em, you would also swap drums. just incase, you know.