87 chevy axle swap

[87shortboxguy]

I am a complete noob. I am building up my 87 chevy shortbox. I currently have 10-bolts front and rear with 40-inch ground hawgs. I am now realizing this is a HORRIBLE idea. In ruined one auburn posi unit in another rear 10bolt with a set of 35's. I am wondering if I can run my 40's on a 14 bolt rear and a d44 front? I have a GOOD deal on a pair from a friend. he claims they are 1 tom and i know they are out of a 80 shortbox, but thats all. I'm assuming they are 3/4 ton (he tends to lie). I mud occasionally at bogs and mostly trail-ride. please feel free to let me know. I am buying a SPOTLESS cab with no doors, the axels, and a decent 6-foot bed all for $700. Sound like a good deal? This cab is EXCELLENT and the axels look good. lemme know..... Also, I would LOVE to know a couple of easy mods for my 87 tbi motor. Thank You for your time!!

 

[jt512]

The axles are most likely from a 3/4 ton, IIRC no 1 tons ever had d44's, and there were no 1 ton short beds either.

As far as running them with your combo, yes you can, but...... I would be easy on the skinny pedal (especially when turning in 4wd) and keep the front end open (no lockers). The rear, assuming it's a 14ff is the way to go and the front will hold up with some common sense on your part .

There are plenty of guys running similar set ups, at the very least run them for now and save up for/ look for a d60 .

 

[87shortboxguy]

thanks alot man! Any idea what a good price on a d60 is? Will the 80 cab go on my 87 fine? It seems to have a different floorboard? My 87 has a hump all the way down and the 80 doesnt. the cab is really neat with dual small square sunroofs over the driver and passenger. I'm excited about it. Will the new axels bolt right up? do i need new springs or anything else? I appreciate the help...

 

[jt512]

As far as the cabs go, I'm honestly not sure, I've always had K5's. I'm sure someone else will chime in who has done a cab swap like yours.

The axles are basicly a bolt in deal, if they are out of a 3/4 ton (1 ton rears have different spring pad spacing) about the only difference would possibly be in the brake lines. There are 2 different calipers that were used on the front axle, although I think you can re use your calipers on the d44 so that solves that problem.

As far as d60 prices go ???? it could be anywhere from scrap prices to 1500+. You generally get what you pay for and in the northeast you might as well plan on a full rebuild on anything that comes out of a stock truck.

 

[79rustyk10]

The cab should work fine, but you might have to drill some holes or other slight mods to work. I would go for it.

 

[sweetk30]

i have swaped 2 73-80 trucks to 81-up bodys. no mods required for me. just needed to use the body mounts for the frame year not the body year. and the 73-80 uses 1 style front clip and 81-up is different. thats the only major problem to watch for. but it can be moded to swap over with few simple mods.

and if you want a dana 60 front and 14ff rear i have some in stock private message me if you want some. but you might need to coin up the 25 bucks to be full member but well worth it. you get full use and full pic views.

i am in horseheads ny and if you are buffalo ny not a bad trip down.