axle swap in 88 k5

[blazen88]

been reading different article on upgrading from 10 bolt to 14 bolt what will i need to comeplete job. i have 88 k5 . in 3/4 ton diff are some years that are better than others what does full float mean. will i need to change my drive shaft or will the odd ball u joint size work. will the leaf springs that i have on the truck now work with the 3/4 ton diff's i just bought new tires and rims and 4 inche leaf springs. and shocks do they make a 14 bolt six lug? or has the axle been modified would like to keep my tires and rims if possible.if oh well just have to try to sell them

 

[eagle mark]

Search is your freind!

For the rear you will need u-bolts from the 14 bolt. If your doing the front too it's basically a bolt in...

 

[toomany]

All you need to know about the 14B http://pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/index.html

They make a six lug 14 bolt(14B), but it's a semi floating(SF) axle. On a full floating axle(FF), there are two sets of bearings at the ends of the axle tubes (as opposed to one bearing). In a FF axle the weight of the vehicle is carried on the bearings/spindles, not the axle shafts. In a SF axle, the weight is on the shafts. The advantage of a FF is, the axle shafts can be made of a material better suited for the job (only transfering torque). In a SF there is a compromise in axle shaft material. Another big advantage to a FF is you can break an axle shaft and not have the wheel fall off. In a SF, the axle shafts are held in place with C-clips inside the diff.

As for which 14B to get, you really can't go wrong with any 14B FF. The newer the better though. IIRC, in the mid 80's they changed a few parts, but changed the design again a few years later. I'd stay away from those years. I'm sure someone will mention what years they are. Also watch out for axles out of 1 tons, they have a differnt spring perch width...not a direct swap.

 

[super10brss]

been reading different article on upgrading from 10 bolt to 14 bolt what will i need to comeplete job. i have 88 k5 . in 3/4 ton diff are some years that are better than others what does full float mean. will i need to change my drive shaft or will the odd ball u joint size work. will the leaf springs that i have on the truck now work with the 3/4 ton diff's i just bought new tires and rims and 4 inche leaf springs. and shocks do they make a 14 bolt six lug? or has the axle been modified would like to keep my tires and rims if possible.if oh well just have to try to sell them

pretty much a direct bolt in like toomany said if you go with a 3/4 ton version... and yes the shocks should bolt up... brake lines should too... the U joint, you may have to get one of those joints that is small on one side and bigger on the other... I call those a combination joint (not sure if that is right) any parts store should have those... the only real change is the U bolts... you will need new 3.5 inch wide U bolts since the 14 bolt axle tube is wider than your stock 10 bolt.... good luck....

 

[SnackPack]

Don't forget new spring plates... The wide ubolts won't slip into your 1/2 ton plates unless you grind out the holes. I ran like this for a short while with no problems, but Kert's spring plates are the way to go. Check out diy4x.com.

 

[BGKYK5]

Try to get a 3/4T 14BFF from a 4WD truck/sub. The 2WD versions have shock mounts that hang well below the axle tube. You'll also need the gears to match the front axle (or regear one or the other).