chvymudin3388
1/2 ton status
im looking for an exact replacement rear axle for my 87 k5blazer. what models have it? 10 bolt or 12 but exact replacement.
CK5
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what models can i get it from
- Thread starter chvymudin3388
- Start date
SkysTheLimit
1/2 ton status
Buy my 10bolts I'm taking out of my 88K5. 
Stock is a 10 bolt front and rear on a 87. I think they used them from 91 back to early 80's at least. they can also be found under 1/2 ton burbs and pickups as well.
Stock is a 10 bolt front and rear on a 87. I think they used them from 91 back to early 80's at least. they can also be found under 1/2 ton burbs and pickups as well.
Rolled
1/2 ton status
There are a couple things to consider for an exact replacement.
Yoke
Gear ratio
brakes
e brake style
lug count
All of these things can be handled pretty easy as long as you get the same ratio. Chances are you will have a pretty easy time finding one.
Brakes can be swapped from the backing plates out so getting a different brake size is no big deal. Keep it or bolt your existing brake system to it.
If it has a different ebrake system, You will need to swap the backing plates. At least that is what I did when I put a 77 12 bolt in my 87 K5. I can't remember if the ebrake system is dependent on the backing plates.
If the yoke is a different size, your dline will not bolt up. You can get a conversion joint pretty cheap and you should change the ujoint anyways if you have it out. Also change the bearing and seals. they are cheap too...
If you get a 5 lug axle, just put in your 6 lugs. they are the same so feel free to get a rear off a 2wd. You will have a much easier time finding one on a 2wd for cheap.
I recommend getting a 12 bolt. its not much better than a 10 but if you are swapping, might as well go with the better axle... the only difference I found that was not "swapable" was the 12 bolt yoke was 1 inch closer to the the tcase. That meant the travel length of the dline has been shortened. most people would not let that inch bother them. I had a new dline made to a custome length but that was, primarily, because I had a cv shaft made for the rear.
I think there were 10 bolts in the late 70's. maybe just for 2wd, I don't know. I also have an 81K5 that has a stock 12 bolt... For sure in the eighties. Again, you will have no problem finding one in the smallest of towns...
Yoke
Gear ratio
brakes
e brake style
lug count
All of these things can be handled pretty easy as long as you get the same ratio. Chances are you will have a pretty easy time finding one.
Brakes can be swapped from the backing plates out so getting a different brake size is no big deal. Keep it or bolt your existing brake system to it.
If it has a different ebrake system, You will need to swap the backing plates. At least that is what I did when I put a 77 12 bolt in my 87 K5. I can't remember if the ebrake system is dependent on the backing plates.
If the yoke is a different size, your dline will not bolt up. You can get a conversion joint pretty cheap and you should change the ujoint anyways if you have it out. Also change the bearing and seals. they are cheap too...
If you get a 5 lug axle, just put in your 6 lugs. they are the same so feel free to get a rear off a 2wd. You will have a much easier time finding one on a 2wd for cheap.
I recommend getting a 12 bolt. its not much better than a 10 but if you are swapping, might as well go with the better axle... the only difference I found that was not "swapable" was the 12 bolt yoke was 1 inch closer to the the tcase. That meant the travel length of the dline has been shortened. most people would not let that inch bother them. I had a new dline made to a custome length but that was, primarily, because I had a cv shaft made for the rear.
I think there were 10 bolts in the late 70's. maybe just for 2wd, I don't know. I also have an 81K5 that has a stock 12 bolt... For sure in the eighties. Again, you will have no problem finding one in the smallest of towns...
chvymudin3388
1/2 ton status
ok but the thing is they have different leaf spring and shocks mounting areas and i dont want to have to cut and reweld. although i could go ahead and degree my rear end and make it where i dont need my wedges.
sandawgk5
3/4 ton status
chvymudin3388 said:
All 1/2 & 3/4 ton pickups, all Suburbans, and All K5s from 1973-1987 have the same spring pad spacing and shock mount locations. Suburbans and K5s go all the way to 1991 also.
Ira
sandawgk5
3/4 ton status
You already have the parts take the time and just change out your ring and pinion and use the open carrier. The only problem with your current axle is a gov-bomb that fizzled rather than exploding right? So remove that carrier, take off ring gear, install ring gear on the open carrier you have and put the carrier back in. Be sure to check backlash and carrier preload and then run a pattern. The pinion should not need to be touched at all. It is not hard at all take your time and you will be fine.
Ira
Ira
chvymudin3388
1/2 ton status
i dont really wanna mess with the back lash and all that plus my axle has some deep wear marks where the bearing rides
sandawgk5
3/4 ton status
OK. My previous post list what you can find a axle from.
Ira
Ira
chvymudin3388
1/2 ton status
i dont wanna mess with the back lash plus i dont have a dial indicator
Jimbo*
1/2 ton status
I've got an 87 burb I'm parting with 3.73 gears; what gear ratio do you need?
Jimbo
Jimbo
chvymudin3388
1/2 ton status
thats what i need is 3.73, but how much do you want i can get a 12 bolt for like 250 but i dont remember the ratio of it.
Jimbo*
1/2 ton status
PM "bigred81", He's in Kennedy, and has a shop and can help you out.
If he can't, I'll take $150, and can get it to bracketville for you..
Jimbo
If he can't, I'll take $150, and can get it to bracketville for you..
Jimbo
chvymudin3388
1/2 ton status
wheres bracketville? i dont think i can pm im not a paying member
Jimbo*
1/2 ton status
Ok,then look him up on the member list, and email him.
Brackettville is about 100 miles west of San Antonio.
Jimbo
Brackettville is about 100 miles west of San Antonio.
Jimbo
chvymudin3388
1/2 ton status
is there any thing wrong with it?
Jimbo*
1/2 ton status
Not that I know of, drove fine. I'll pull the cover and check it out.
Jimbo
Jimbo
chvymudin3388
1/2 ton status
ok thanks another thing is it open? gov loc? or posi? idont really care though lol i just want to be back rolling. lol
Jimbo*
1/2 ton status
Problem. The build sheet says 3.73 with gov-loc; pop the cover and it's a 3.42 with a gov-loc. Sorry bout that.
Jimbo
Jimbo
