Rearend question

[tuggy24g]

I am starting to get into the lifted truck scene. I been into Muscle my whole life, but never into trucks. Now since I own a k5 I am starting to upgrade it here and there. Now my question is what is a good upgraded rear. Like with muscle cars the industry standard is the ford 9inch. Some people use 12bolts, but most just use the 9in. They are basically bulletproof no matter how much beating on them you give them (For the most part). Now with my k5 it has the 3/4 ton (I think) and wanted to upgrade it so I know it will not break on me driving it on the street. I do not offroad it, but might once or twice. Just want something I know will not break and last me. Thanks Brad

 

[samsterman99]

If your K5 is stock, it has a 6 lug, 10 or 12 bolt rear end. Check out the diff cover and compare it to here: http://coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml
If you have a 3/4 ton axle and you just street drive it mainly, then you are in the clear. a 14 bolt (SF or FF), will not break under street use and will hold up to some very moderate off road abuse as well.

 

[chulisohombre]

What he said^^ and to add. If you plan on staying stockish size tires you should be fine. Anything over 35 inch tires and you are going to break something. Over that and start looking for a 14sf which can handle up to 38 inch tires or jump up to one ton 14full float which is good into the 40s. Front end can handle 33-35 off road if you're easy on it above that. Anything above 36 inches I'd start looking for a Dana 60 front for off road use. On road 37 inch is ok but you will find your axels week points quickly.

 

[454k30]

A lot of people swap out axles (you have two now) on their K5 for 3/4 or 1 ton running gear. It is great swap and gains your rig an incredible amount of strength for what it costs to do the swap. Look for a Dana 44 or 60 front end and a 14 bolt rear axle.

 

[496truck]

Dana 44 is pretty much = to a GM 10 bolt (talking front axles specifically). And the 10b is way more common and easier/cheaper to find parts for.

Some basic info for ya...
1/2 tons = GM 10b or D44 front / GM 10b or 12b or D44 (early models) rear.
3/4 tons = GM 10b or D44 front 8 lugs / 14b semi float (some got the full floater but rare) rear 8 lugs.
1 tons = Dana 60 front / GM 14b FF rear with 8 lugs obviously.

You mentioned 3/4 tons. It has been common practice for some people to grab the 6 lug 14b sf out of newer (IFS) trucks and swap into the rear to replace weak/broken 10b axles. So, it is possible a PO has swapped in a 14b sf rear and retained the 6 lug wheels. Let us know what you have under there and what your plans are (lift, tires, etc) and we can help answer your questions better.

 

[kennyw]

Some basic info for ya...
1/2 tons = GM 10b or D44 front / GM 10b or 12b or D44 (early models) rear.
3/4 tons = GM 10b or D44 front 8 lugs / 14b SF (1980's) or 14 FF (1970's) rear 8 lugs.
1 tons = Dana 60 front / GM 14b FF (SRW) or Dana 70 (DRW) rear with 8 lugs obviously.

Fixed it for you.

 

[496truck]

Yes. Yes you did.

I often forget about the dually stuff when talking about K5 upgrades.