New toy Got a ubolt question

[86454K30]

I just bought this 85 GMC k1500. It has 10 bolts front/rear. I am putting in a dana 44 and a 14 bolt with rear disc. My question is, The 44 has 2-3/4" axle tubes and the 10 bolt has 3" tubes. Can you use the 10 bolt upper front plates and ubolts or do I need to change to new upper plates when I get my new u-bolts.

I am trying to determine if I should order the 73-76 kit or the 77-87 lift kit.
Thanks

 

[RAY]

You can use the 10 bolt spring plates and u bolts. I did when I swapped in a 44. Nice truck by the way.

 

[86454K30]

Thanks for the reply. I thought that I could.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

Unless your gears are different in the axles you want to swap in you can just change the outers on the front

 

[4X4HIGH]

It's not good practice to "squeeze" u-bolts so i would buy the proper u-bolts and top plates.

 

[86454K30]

I wouldn't be changing the front diff if the gears matched the 14 bolt.

I hear ya on the squeezing part. I think I found some top plates.

 

[Avery4jc]

I've done that swap to my k10.... get the right u-bolts and plates.

 

[jonathon]

Definitely get new u-bolts...