axle questions

[gmcman]

Are 2wd and 4wd rear axles the same other then 5 lug vs 6 lug????? I have a 4x4 with a 12 bolt axle and i'm having trouble finding a replacement. Even trying to get a 10 bolt is hard. I've read on here before about drilling and changing the bolt pattern.May not be a good idea????? Doesn't look to be a problem to get a 2wd axle but are they equally strong or are the 4x4's a little more rugged.

 

[b454rat]

If it's the OOBS style then they are the same width. Old man had an 82 stepside, 4wd. Had 3.73 posi in it, frame rotted off, so junked it. Picked up an 85 2wd, wanted to swap the carriers out. Shop swapped just the axles out, no problems. But if it's 88-up, 2wd and 4wd are different. I need a 4wd 10bolt for my 92, got a freeby 14sf out of a 2wd, not even close.

Hope this makes sense, just woke up and had 1/2 cup of coffee...

 

[BGKYK5]

I know that the shock mounts are different between 2WD and 4WD on a 14B, it may be true of 10 and 12 bolts too.