69 C10 Rear End in an 81 K5

[brassnut]

Will a 6 lug 12 Bolt rear end from a 69 C10 fit under my 81 K5 Blazer? What modifications would need to be made to make it fit? My 81 currently has a 12 bolt under the rear right now, but with the wrong gear ratio. Rather than spend $$$$ on gear install, I can pick up the rear end in question relativley cheap.

Thanks for the help.

 

[diesel4me]

The spring pads will need to be moved,and new shock mounts welded to the axle tubes,as the 67-72 trucks had different shock mount locations (the 73-87's are staggered,the early were different)...not sure about width,the older axles might be different width)....this is assuming it IS a leaf sprung truck the axle is in--many 67-72 trucks had coil springs in the rear!...but I suppose leaf spring pads can be welded onto a coil sprung one too...the u-joint might not be the same too,but converion u-joints can be had to get around that problem...

 

[chalet2506]

What ratio do you need?

 

[brassnut]

3.73

 

[USSkoval]

The spring pads will need to be moved,and new shock mounts welded to the axle tubes,as the 67-72 trucks had different shock mount locations (the 73-87's are staggered,the early were different)...not sure about width,the older axles might be different width)....this is assuming it IS a leaf sprung truck the axle is in--many 67-72 trucks had coil springs in the rear!...but I suppose leaf spring pads can be welded onto a coil sprung one too...the u-joint might not be the same too,but converion u-joints can be had to get around that problem...

Even with rear coils, I'm fairly certain the coil spring was mounted to the control arm, and the axle bolted to the control arms in a similar fashion as leaf springs. Should just be a matter of cutting off the perches and welding on new ones in the correct location.

I myself would just keep looking for a 3.73 12 bolt that bolts right in.

 

[chalet2506]

3.73

Too bad. I got a spare 3.08 and am right down the road from you. Will keep an eye out for something with 3.73 gears.