I was at a buddy's old family farm and noticed 2-3 70's Era long wheel base 4x4 all were 6 lug 12 bolts . Any benefit to running one over my stock 10 bolt? I wouldn't just direct swap , i would change gears and locker seals bearings etc.if I were to get one.
CK5
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10 bolt vs 12 bolt
- Thread starter prolinews
- Start date
I've always liked 12 bolts,never had much trouble with one other than stripping the yoke splines off one in my 72 K5....but many off roaders claim they are only marginally better than a 10 bolt,and the pinion and bearings are actually smaller on a 12 bolt...so it's a toss up whether it's really "beefier" & worth swapping one in--both are still 1/2 ton axles in the end...your not gaining much,if anything..(two more bolts?)..
A 8 lug SF or full floater is what I'd be swapping in,its not really any more work,and might not cost much more,many yards sell them for 300 bucks or way less if your lucky...then all you need is 8 lug outers up front and your truck will be a lot less failure prone..unless your extremely hard off road with it...then a dana 60 is nice..
A 8 lug SF or full floater is what I'd be swapping in,its not really any more work,and might not cost much more,many yards sell them for 300 bucks or way less if your lucky...then all you need is 8 lug outers up front and your truck will be a lot less failure prone..unless your extremely hard off road with it...then a dana 60 is nice..
Some parts of the 10 bolts are stronger, some parts of the 12 are stronger. No hands down winner or loser between the two.
I've had both in my truck....and broken both...with 35" tires...on the street. Not worth swapping for strength. But if one of those 12 bolts has a more desirable gear ratio, it may be worth swapping. Just don't expect bulletproofness. I eventually went with one tons.
JDS
Registered Member
I had always heard that 12 bolts had weaker pinion bearings than a 10 bolt. My '81 K5 came with a 12 bolt. Sure enough, the pinion bearing went out on it. I swapped it out for a 10 bolt. I would probably take a 10 bolt over a 12 bolt just for parts availability.
