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what do you think of my new plan?

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87sm465np208

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i got a 12 bolt 4x4 rear axle yesterday, decent shape, but........ it is the wrong ratio, but i got it for free, so im not complaining, but here is my plan, since 12 bolt 4x4 axles at junk yards are teh wrong ratio and expensive, i was thinkin of seeing if i can find a 2WD 12 bolt from a suberban or somthin, seeing if it is in alright shape and the right ratio, and gettin it. now for my question, can i slam these 6 lug 12 bolt axles with my old drums, in a 2wd 12 bolt? will the splines be the same? id really like to know, ill be forever in your debt if you help.
 
i pretty sure that would work not positive.i think you just need to replace the backing plate from your 4X4 12bolt on to the 2wd.then throw in the 6 lug axles.i believe the spline count is the same also.
 
Yes the 2wd and 4wd axles are interchangeable. I have a 2wd 12 bolt in my truck with the 4wd (6 lug) axles in it. The junkyard wanted $600 for the 4wd version and I got the 2wd one for free.
 
$600?!?!?! /forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif And I thought $350 for a 10 blt was bad.
 
Good luck finding a 2WD 12 bolt with 3.73's...all the ones i've seen are 2.73 or 3.08
 
Don't worry, I told them where to stick it and then I got the 2wd one for free, threw my 6 lug shafts in and had it regeared to 4.56... hmmm and yet still under $600, those guys think they got somethin' special.
 
Yes you can do that but I would also put the 4x4 backing plates and brakes on the 2wd axle.

My 79 K10 has a 2wd 12 bolt in it now. I just unbolted the backing plates and left them in the truck while swapping the axle. Then I didnt have to bleed the brakes when I was done /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
pretty slick, i might do that, i have a 4x4 12 bolt, with 3.24's and i need 3.08 /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif, i wonder if i could goto the junkyard find an axle and bring one of my axle shafts in there to see if it fits.
 
turns out the 2wd 12 bolt is 125 at one junk yard 175 at another, i have the axles, and backing plates if needed, 12 in. the ones on my 10 bolt are 12 in, i dont get it., could i use the drums off the 10 bolt on a 12 bolt?
 
From what I have heard you can use the brakes off the 10 bolt on a 12 bolt but you need the 12 bolt 6 lug axle shafts.
 
careful swaping 10 and 12 bolt stuff, axles look almost identical, the only difference is the thickness on the end of the axle close to where the c clip goes, 12 is a little thicker then the 10, almost made that mistake myself having two axles pulled all apart at the same time. good luck!
 
so your tellin me that the diameter of the 5 lug and 6 lug 12 bolt axles are the same diameter and they will interchange with no hassle, besides pullin em out and puttin em in.? /forums/images/graemlins/deal.gif
 
people at junk yards are tellin me that the 12 bolt 2wd rear end shafts are bigger then the 4wd shafts.
 
I can tell you from experience...

I have a 2wd 12 bolt in my 1979 K10 right now. I am using the original 4x4 6 lug 12 bolt axle shafts in it and the original brakes. I have been driving it this way daily since Aug 1st. I put the 2wd shafts back into the 4x4 housing while I am rebuilding it and they are a perfect fit also.

The only thing you dont want to do is put 10 bolt axle shafts in a 12 bolt /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
hey thats cool, well i have no one to take me to junk yards, and im sick of takin off school to goto a junk yard and only find junk that i cant use (wrong fu*king ratio's) so im taking the 12 bolt my friend gave me with the 3.24's and takin it to the shop tomarow and havin them put the RIGHT gears in it to match the front, so i have the same front and rear ratios, and plus i will be upgradeing from the god awful 10 bolt and into a slightly more heavy duty axle that will take what i can dish out ( i know this from what my friend put his axle on his old truck though that had a 12 bolt rear, he used to do serious burn outs in parkin lots that would bury the needle on the spedometer) ill tell ya'll how it works out.
 
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