axel swap

[88chevyk5silverado]

I have a 88 k5 all stock. I have a 10 bolt front an rear axel I want to put in a 14 posi rear end a dana 44 front. Is it just a swap or would I have to get new leaf springs,drive train,

 

[lak2004]

depends on if it is a 14 bolt full floater or semi floater, and if it came out of a 3/4 or 1 ton. no new leafs but you would possibly need a conversion u joint for the rear.

 

[88chevyk5silverado]

What do u mean by floater?

 

[82355]

The rear axle. Do you have the 14 bolt yet?

Martin

 

[88chevyk5silverado]

No not yet

 

[82355]

Then start doing some searching on here for the difference between a full floater and a semi floater. The factory 10 bolt is a semi floater. The same as a 14bsf (14 bolt semi floater). Then there is a 14bff (14 bolt full floater). The full floater has a hub on the end of the axle with bearings riding on a spindle so there is no weight on the actual axle shaft. I'll look for a picture.

Martin

 

[82355]

Here is a picture of the hub sticking through the wheel on a full floater. A semi floater would be flat with the wheel. Also, a semi floater doesn't have the bolts on the end. Those are retaining the axle shaft.

Here is a picture of the pumpkin on a 14 bolt full floater.

Sorry about the low quality cell phone pics.

Martin

 

[88chevyk5silverado]

Thanks

 

[88chevyk5silverado]

Thanks again I appreciate it

 

[gotblazers]

10 bolt and dana 44 are basically the same axles not worth the swap IMHO

 

[88chevyk5silverado]

Then what front axel would b best for the front end?

 

[gotblazers]

Then what front axel would b best for the front end?

dana 60 of course . depending on where you live that can be pricey or not.

 

[Burbdood 74]

But you don't have to get a Dana 60 front axle. If you don't really do any hardcore offroading, then converting your front 10 bolt 6 lug axle to an 8 lug axle to match the 14bFF rear would be just fine, and you'd only have to carry one spare instead of a spare for the front 6 lug axle and one for the 8 lug rear axle.

And then there's also the possibility that you could find a deal on an 8 lug 10 bolt front and 14 bolt rear together. The point is, unless you really expect to thrash on it, a 10 bolt front axle isn't all that bad and it can last.

 

[lak2004]

What size tires are you planning on running?

 

[88chevyk5silverado]

After I can do axel swap I'd like to go with 35 or 37 with a 6 " su- lift

 

[lak2004]

hmmm id say if you want overkill do 1 tons(ie 14bolt ff and dana 60). but for 37s or less you should be able to stick with 10 bolts as long as you gear them right and you're not too hard on them.

 

[PropaneBlazer]

I have a pile of broken 10 bolt parts, I've broken two front D60 housings, and am on my second Rockwell u-joint shaft, good luck with your 10 bolt.

 

[lak2004]

to each their own though, you may do much more wheeling than he will. also what size tires are you running propaneblazer?

 

[PropaneBlazer]

Cut 44" Swampers - 468 BB on propane.

 

[gotblazers]

I have a pile of broken 10 bolt parts, I've broken two front D60 housings, and am on my second Rockwell u-joint shaft, good luck with your 10 bolt.

how do you do that