Axle swap? Will it work?

[Whitetrashbeautiful]

Have a '88 Chevy silverado 2wd with stock rearend. Also have stock 12 bolt out of a '69 c-10. 1st question: what axle is in the '88 and second can I throw the axles out the 12 bolt and put em in the '88 axle? Or would I be better off building the 12 bolt. Truck has a .60 over 350(373) with a 5 speed. Reg cab short bed.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The '88 should have a 30 spline GM corporate 10 bolt, IMO there is very little reason to swap the old 12 bolt in place of that. The 12 bolt has a little bit bigger ring gear (8-7/8" vs. 8.5"), but same shafts.

 

[sweetk30]

and 69 c-10 would be ladder bar / coil rear NOT leaf spring . need some major mods.

but the 88-up ear'a 10 bolts were plaged with blow up problems.

but if you wana swap in a good option go the 9.5 semi floter 14 bolt from a 2500 series or tow package equipped 88-up.

or build the 10 bolt with a good aftermarket carrier and be better off than stock .

also the axle shafts them self's are different and wont swap over from 10 bolt to 12 bolt

 

[Whitetrashbeautiful]

The truck is getting a four link w/bags at all four corners and aftermarket front clip(upper and lower a-arms drop spindles) I know this is mainly an off road page but we all have our other toys. Build plan is lightweight street/track attack truck. Ill be welding on the axle anyway so which is better? swap the axles and leave the ten bolt or put the 12 bolt in there gears and carrier will be changed to limited slip and gears unknown at this time. If you have a gear set in mind (good acceleration/good top speed) let me know what it is so I'm not guessing. Again it's a hot little 373(350 bored .60) with a five speed. Your input is helpful

 

[82355]

A .060 over 350 is NOT a 373. It will come out to around 360 cubic inches.

That being said, neither of those axles will be great for what you are trying to do. Look for a 9".

Martin

 

[sweetk30]

nothing wrong with a 12 bolt. I am building one now in my 2wd build thread ( see sig line link below )

and I was going to do a 9" but buy the time you swap perches / shock mounts / redrill or custom axles for bolt pattern to match gm truck its not worth it for a basic fun toy.

 

[Stomis]

The truck 12 bolt from the 69 isnt an upgrade like a car 12 bolt would be. Honestly you are going through all that, why not buy a ford 9in?

 

[Whitetrashbeautiful]

Cheap fun toy. Yes I know bags ain't cheap. But I'm trying to use what I have instead of an open check... Not looking for suggestions on what I should do. Asking if axles will swap or better off building the 12 bolt.

 

[dyeager535]

*Which* axle does the '88 have?

As far as I can tell if it's got RPO C5S it will be the 9.5" rear axle. You can make anything fit of course, but the 9.5" is definitely an upgrade over the 10 or 12 bolt. I know there are intricacies of what truck what year got what axle, but if it's a 9.5", if it's not crazy difficult to install, definitely worth a bit of work over a 10 bolt.

Someone can correct me if my blanket statement is incorrect, but pretty sure the later (1988+) width truck rear axles (not vans) are all 3" wider than the 1973-1987(91) axles.

 

[Stomis]

Cheap fun toy. Yes I know bags ain't cheap. But I'm trying to use what I have instead of an open check... Not looking for suggestions on what I should do. Asking if axles will swap or better off building the 12 bolt.

Then the long and the short of it is leave your rear in. The truck 12 bolt is not an upgrade over the 8.5in ten bolt.