knucksk5
Registered Member
I want to swap the rear axle on my 1989 K5 with one that matches the front width. I read a 1999 and older Z71, 14 bolt 6 lug is what Im looking for. Having trouble locating such a thing. Any ideas?
CK5
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Rear axle swap
- Thread starter knucksk5
- Start date
I don't know if it will help, but try looking for the light duty K2500. (possibly 7200 GVW?)
I have one that I got out of a '92. It is actually a little wider than the front axle.
I have seen that some guys have used a rear axle out of an '01 and newer 1/2 ton to get rear discs at the same time, but the ring gear is still an 8.6" from what I know. The small 14 bolt is a 9.5".
If you don't need the extra strength, maybe you can find a newer axle. No matter which one you get, you will have to cut all of the brackets off and weld new ones on for your truck.
I have one that I got out of a '92. It is actually a little wider than the front axle.
I have seen that some guys have used a rear axle out of an '01 and newer 1/2 ton to get rear discs at the same time, but the ring gear is still an 8.6" from what I know. The small 14 bolt is a 9.5".
If you don't need the extra strength, maybe you can find a newer axle. No matter which one you get, you will have to cut all of the brackets off and weld new ones on for your truck.
just a heads up . the narrower rear from factory makes for a tighter turning radius .
and its 3" overall narrower over the front .
and its 3" overall narrower over the front .
There's plenty of help for any direction you choose. For my 89 Jimmy I went with a 91 sub, 14bsf, 8 lug, 94 Sub 6 lug axles ($200 aftermarket alloys), backing plates,drums from a pickup which coincidentally had a like new 3.73 G80, had a machine shop make 1/2" spacer to move the brakes to match the new axle. I bolted this collection of parts together, got it close enough to drive 20 miles to a real mechanic to critique and adjust as necessary, and I learned a lot.
All the info and confidence came from the guys of CK5. I got parts at a pick n pull, craigslist, Summit (?), autozone, machine shop, total about $400, $200 for mechanic to make it right.
All the info and confidence came from the guys of CK5. I got parts at a pick n pull, craigslist, Summit (?), autozone, machine shop, total about $400, $200 for mechanic to make it right.
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Don't concentrate on the Z-71 portion of it........these axles were not specific to that model but rather a heavy duty towing option (believe it was the F44 RPO code). Also looks for 1988 to mid-90's light duty K2500 trucks (easily identified because of the 2500 badging but are 6 lug). These were fairly common......I personally knew 3-4 people that had these models back in the day.
I believe the van axles are wider than truck ones too. That came from someone on here when I was looking into the same thing for my burb. I ended up just going high quality 1.5" spacers. Nothing wrong with the bolt in ones available.. whole lot cheaper and easier too.
You can also swap the newer disc setup to the 6 lug 14bsf with a little work. Semi common for guys over on performancetrucks.net to get a beefier rear axle that works with the existing wheels and brakes on their Silverados. That was my plan for the 6 lug 14bsf I have before I found my D60 and decided to go 8 lug instead.
