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14 Bolt Leaf width and K10 leaf width??

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Gunny65

1/2 ton status
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I did some reading on this site about swapping my 10 bolt out for a 14 bolt FF. My searching took me all over this site and then to a few other sites. All the information indicated that (for my purposes) a GM 14 bolt from a 1992 K3500 would bolt right up to my 1989 K10 (V10) Blazer. HOWEVER, I don't see it. I bought a 14 bolt axle, out of a 1992 GMC K3500, from the salvage yard and brought it home. The leaf mount positions didn't look quite right so I took some measurements. Hmmm. The leaf pad mounts on the 14 bolt are wider than on the Blazer. The Blazer leaf mounts (from outside edge to outside edge) measure approx 45 inches and the 14 bolt pads measure approx 49 inches. There seem to be other differences but one at a time for now. Anyone know what is up?

The only numbers I could get off the 14 bolt were "CFD" - "163" - "26011826". I broke down the VIN and it matchs vehicle type they said the 14 bolt axle came from. Other than that, I am not sure if this will fit on my Blazer or not.
 
One tons have wider spring pads as you've discovered.:crazy: The 3/4 and 1/2 tons have the same width.

If you can cut and weld you can buy new spring perches from someone like diy4x.com cut the old ones off and weld new ones on.
 
Ahhhh, crap! I remember reading that somewhere. No, I can't weld. However, I have a MIG welder and have been wanting to learn. Aaaagghh!

I suppose I could cut the pads off and weld some new ones on. I saw a thread on someone doing just that. They rotated the ?pinion? up a bit so it would be in line with the drive shaft better when lifted. It was just below straight so it wouldn't hit the underside body/frame when torque was applied. Thats all I remember.

Well, I probably better let a professional do the welding. That isn't something I want to screw up. I could also take it back and swap it out but someone put brand new 4.10 gears in it right before it was wrecked. The guys at the yard showed me when they checked to see if the gears were serviceable before they sold it to me. New fluid too. How much do you think it would cost to have a professional weld the pads on?
 
Now that I messed up, but it's a good mess up....right..lol, and got a one ton rear axle, should I get a one ton front axle or would a Dana 60 be okay with it.

Speaking of front axle. Does the one ton front axle have different mounting/spring pad points than a 3/4 ton front axle?

Just to be sure, that is a Dana 60 and a Dana 70 respectively?

Thanks.
 
Gunny65 said:
Well, I probably better let a professional do the welding. That isn't something I want to screw up. I could also take it back and swap it out but someone put brand new 4.10 gears in it right before it was wrecked. The guys at the yard showed me when they checked to see if the gears were serviceable before they sold it to me. New fluid too. How much do you think it would cost to have a professional weld the pads on?
Click to expand...

Cross your fingers and hope that whoever setup the gears knew what they were doing :deal:



Gunny65 said:
Now that I messed up, but it's a good mess up....right..lol, and got a one ton rear axle, should I get a one ton front axle or would a Dana 60 be okay with it.

Speaking of front axle. Does the one ton front axle have different mounting/spring pad points than a 3/4 ton front axle?

Just to be sure, that is a Dana 60 and a Dana 70 respectively?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

A D60 is the one ton front axle, 1/2 and 3/4 ton front ends are either a D44 (pre '78 or so) or a 10 bolt (the later stuff).

There are D70 front axles but not in light duty Chevy stuff and they don't offer much in the way of a significant strength upgrade over a D60 anyway.
 
Woah, wait a minute! It doesn't bolt up because it's from the newer body style truck, they had perches in a different location as well as shock mounts, plus the axle is a different width in general.

You need the rear axle from a 3/4 ton truck that is the same body style as yours. A 1 ton will not bolt up because the spring perches are 2 inches CLOSER together and the shock mounts are on the wrong side of the tube.
 
Here is a picture

Attached is a picture of the 1 Ton axle. The length of the spring perch is "Wider" by about 5 inches. The smaller unused pads on the axle are closer together but I am not sure what those are used for. The are to close together to be used as spring pads. Basically, the outer edges of the smaller pads is where the Blazer spring pads would go.

The shock mounts are different but they are on the same side of the axle tube. Left rear, right front, same as my Blazer.

P6080004.JPG
 
A couple more pics

Here are two more from the 1 Ton axle and then two from the Blazer...for reference.

I better measure the width of the shock mounts though. They look about the same, and they are on the same side, but better to be sure.

Any other "good" news? :D

1Tonside2.JPG

LeftBlazer.JPG

RightBlazer.JPG

1Tonside.JPG
 
Whoops yeah I knew they were different just didn't know which one was wider. I'd probably go see if they have some matching 3/4 chevy axles and exchange yours.
 
Gunny, the "1 ton" axle I was talking about in my previous post is not the one you have. I was describing why you would want a 3/4 rear instead of a 1 ton, but it only applied to the correct generation axle.

The axle you have will work, but you will need to cut off the spring perches, the bump stop plates, and then weld the perches on in the correct location.

The shock mounts are close, but not correct. You can use them as "offset mounts" though. Just use an extra long mounting bolt, with the shock bolted to the outside of the mount... but be sure to use a spacer between the two mounting tabs.

...Make sense?
 
Yeah, it makes sense. I got what I asked for though. I was thinking 3/4 ton and said K3500 to the salvage yard guys. If I can make this work, I will. I have them now. I plan on putting an eight bolt up front anyway so swapping would be pointless other than not needing to weld.

Is there any difference between the 3/4 ton and 1 ton axle except the perch and shock mounts being off?

I will have the local fab guys weld the spring perches on for me. I saw some on DIY for $40 bucks.

Are there any other surprises I should think about? You know, like is the axle actually narrower or anything?

I plan on putting disk brakes on the axle. Any problems with that on this axle?
 
Year for year, there's really no difference. 3/4 ton would often have the semi-floater rear though. The new body style axles (like you have) I believe all have the perches and mounts in the same location.

If the axle is from a 4x4, it will be wider than your stock rear. This is nice though, because the stock rear is narrower than the front.

I think it will complicate the disc brakes. Probably needs to be specific for a "new body style" '88-'98 truck.

You will also need a conversion U-joint, NAPA 447.
 
The 1 ton axle is a FF and it is out of a 4 Wheel drive truck. So I guess those are a plus.

Thanks for the U-joint lead.

I guess I will keep this axle and make due. I did some looking around and I got a good deal. I can't find any 14 bolt 3/4 ton axles for cheaper than what I got this axle for. I guess the welding work and so forth will make up the difference in price though. LOL.

Thanks for the help so far. I am sure I will be back with more questions as I go through the process. I have read much on this site so most of my questions are already answered. I may just need some clarifications. Again, thanks.
 
The big thing to remember is that if you do get a 3/4 ton axle, get one from and old body style truck (like your Blazer) so it will bolt right in. They were available in full floater too.
 
Found one myself out of an 87 3/4 ton suburban 6.2L diesel. 3/4 ton and diesel was the key from my many months of hunting for proper width's. Hope that helps with direct bolt in options.
 
I found a 1982 3/4 ton axle out of a diesel 4X4 I might be able to get it (high mileage axle) but I already have this one in hand. Sigh, would this axle bolt on my 1989 Blazer? Everything I read says it should work but I want to hear it from someone here who has personal experience. Thanks.
 
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Gunny65 said:
I found a 1982 3/4 ton axle out of a diesel 4X4 I might be able to get it (high mileage axle) but I already have this one in hand. Sigh, would this axle bolt on my 1989 Blazer? Everything I read says it should work but I want to hear it from someone here who has personal experience. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes, bolt in. Is it a full floater too?
 
Yeah, it's a FF. It has 4.10 in it now but I am wanting to put either 4.56 or 4.88 gears and a locker in it. So I guess the high mileage isn't that big of a deal. I would have to open it up and change out seals and so forth anyway.
 
yes buy the dana 60
yes keep the 1ton rear and jus move perches and shock mounts (prolly run ya about 3 hours labor from someone who can weld) $150

hpefully ya didnt spend more than $200 for that rear axle (and that is guessing HIGH)

good luck and keep us posted.
blue torch fab has some good components for the swap, just completed mine a few months ago. word.
 
stumpbuster said:
hpefully ya didnt spend more than $200 for that rear axle (and that is guessing HIGH)
Click to expand...

Out here in Eastern Oregon/Washington the prices run in this range: 200K plus miles=$375ish; 80K to 199K=$500ish; 0 to 79K=$600 to $900ish. Those miles and prices vary a lot but it gives people an idea of how rediculously expensive they are out here. That applies to 3/4 and One ton axles. 1/2 ton are much cheaper.

I paid $275 for mine and that was a 187K axle. I found out after I bought it that the 4.10 gears were just put in and close to new. The fluid was nice a bright. So, for this area, I got a great deal. I know, I know, I have seen how cheap these are in other areas. However, you work with what you got. I would have to have driven about 250+ miles to find a low mileage axle in the $300 range so I call this a great buy for this area. :)

I have a MIG welder and have a course scheduled for a welding class. I decided to move the class date up and do the work on the axle myself. I have a feeling it will pay off during this build.

Thanks for the help everyone. I am off to work on the axle. Cheers! :D
 
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