Axles

[stantjeeper85]

The mechanic that worked on my truck for the previous owner says that the 10 bolt rear axle is too weak for my military 6.2. They had problems with it breaking all the time. The rebuilt it with all new yukon parts with stronger shafts, 3:08 gears, etc. But given the weight of the suburban, the 10 bolt is still to small. If I ever wanted to lift it, or tow with it, i may have some problems.

So Im wanting to upgrade to a 14 bolt. I know a guy with a junkyard of mlitary vehicles and I might be able to score some cucv axles. More than likely these will be 8lug axles, but my wheels are 6 lug. Is it possible to swap out the 8 lug parts with the 6 lug parts temporarily, until i get a set of 8 lug wheels, even if the cucv axles are bigger than my 1/2 ton axles?

How much do you guys think my rear rebuilt 10 bolt axle is worth?

[DmaxMaverick]

The axles, and all the other parts are NOT compatible. Very different axles. If you want a 14 bolt axle, you'll have to find a LD 14 bolt semi-floater from a 2500 (not a 2500HD), which will be a 6 lug. ALL of the full floaters from 2500/3500's are 8 lug.

Depending you the year model of your vehicle, there may be other, more practical options. If your truck is an 80's model, a late 70's 12 bolt semi-floater is a direct swap, and every bit as strong as the later model 14 bolt. I swapped one into my 85 Blazer. I rebuilt/replaced a bunch of 10 bolts on the Blazer, and one 12 bolt cured that problem. Over 10 years now, and it's as strong as when I installed it. I've used the Blazer for years to haul livestock in/out of mountain pastures with a 20' stock trailer. No light weight, and no light work. About as bad as it can get. A chore better suited for a 1-ton, but the wheel base is way too long. A tracked crawler (like a Cat) might do as well.

[Ebrown]

I would have to disagree with Dmax as to the 12 bolt is not as strong as the 14 bolt Sf or the 14 FF. Here the spec for the 10 bolt throught dana 70

Rear Axles

Dana 80 (FF) (Dodge)
8 Lug
11.00-inch ring gear
1.50 Axle shafts
35 Spline Axle Shafts
Available Gear: 3.54 - 4.10

Dana 70 (FF)
1974 and earlier
8 Lug
10.50-inch ring gear
1.750 Axle shafts
30 & 35 Spline Axle Shafts
Available Gear 4.10 - 7.17

Corp 14 bolt: (FF):
1981- 1996 8 Lug,
10.50-inch ring gear
1.750 Axle shafts
30 Spline Axle Shafts
Available Gear3.42-5.13

Dana 50 & 60: (Sf & FF)
1967- 1993 8 Lug,
9.75-inch ring gear
1.626 Axle shafts
30 & 35 Spline Axle Shafts
Available Gear 3.33 - 7.17

Corp 14 bolt: (SF)
1981-1996 heavy 1/2 ton and Light Duty 3/4 ton chevy trucks
6 or 8 lug
9.50-inch ring gear
1.876 Axle shafts
30 Spline Axle Shafts
C-clip retained
Available Gear 3.42-4.88

Corp 12 bolt: (SF)
1964-1982 K10/K20 and Blazers
6 Lug
8.875-inch ring gear
1.438 Axle shafts
30 Spline Axle Shafts
C-clip retained
1310 & 1330-style U-joint
thick ring gear set
Available Gear 3.07-5.38

Corp 10 bolt Rear: (SF)
1977-2000C10/K10/K20
6 Lug
8.50-inch ring gear
1.626 Axle shafts
28 & 30 Spline Axle Shafts
C-clip retained
Available Gear Sets 2.73-5.57


Note:

* SF = (Semi-Floater)

* FF = (Full Floater

* If you swapping out a 10 bolt rear for a 12 bolt you will have to use a conversion U-joint at the rear drive shaft, at the axle end.... Conversion U-joint for 12b to old 10b shaft(S44 to 1310)- Neapco 3-3130, Checkers part number is 215-0356 10.99

* Three way to finding out axle Gear ratio
1) Some will have a tag on the diff cover
2) Check the edge of the ring gear the gear ratio should be stamped on it
3) Dividing the ring gear tooth count by the pinion gear tooth count. So say the ring gear has 41 teeth and the pinion has 10 teeth so you would have the ratio of 4.10.1 (41/10 = 4.10).

[Edahall]

Interestingly, I have never had any problems with the 10 bolt on my 82 Suburban. I've used it mainly for towing a 26' Airstream and occassionally for towing a dump trailer weighted up to 10k lbs.

[Ebrown]

I have own 3 K-5 Blazers and 1) 1991 1500 4x4 Wt with 10 bolt axle in them and have never had any problems with 10 bolt axle.

1991 K-5 383 stoker, 700r4, Np241 t-case 4" lift, 3.73 axle ratio, G-80 rear 33X12.50X15 At, 10 bolt f/R

1986 K-5 5.0 Fi , 700r4, np 208 t-case, 3" lift 3.08 axle ratio, 33X12X15 At, 10 bolt f/R

Present on
1986 K-5 Blazer 6.2 tuned , built 700r4, np-208 t-case, 4" lift, 34X10.50X15 TSl,
10bolt front:
GG 3.73 axle ratio, Yukon I/O axle shafts, DIY lockrite locker w/Alloy cross pin, Alloy USA 5-760X u-joints, Ebc cross drill and slotted disk, with pads, stage 8 Spindal Nut Assembly, MM locking hubs, Pro Comp ss brake lines, Pro Comp Steering Arm, Royal Purple Max Lube..

12 bolt Rear:
GG 3.73 axle ratio, Eaton Posi Pro, 30 spline Yukon Shafts, Ebc brake shoes, Rear Diff rock cage, Royal Purple Max Lube




I plan on offroading, DD, and towing with my present blazer... It has dual 2.5 exhaust pipe, H pipe, Flowmaster, tuned up IP, J-code intake, and a very custom Intake hat with a cone type K&N air filter...

As to the trans it has a performance rebuild 700r4, with the 1 & 2 Billet Servo sets and the Over drive set,.500 boost valve set, B&M Trans cooler, Down Shift kit, Trans temp Guage, TCI tork Converter (best spent money), Royal Purple trans fluid

Work that still needs to be done

-Twin stick, lowmax Np-205 T-case
-Install new IP, glow plugs, Injectors
-Banks turbo on existing engine

Play with intercoolers and Boost Cooler


1 maybe 2 years from now
Build New 6.2 with a new Banks turbo setup


Over all this truck have alot of time and money and its taken about 4 yrs to get it this way. The trucks drives very well, all you have to do is point it in the direction you want to go ( Sand, Mud, snow, Highway)..

4 yrs ago
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee183/Kidbrown1/1986%20Chevy%20K-5%20Blazer/P5030032.jpg

Present:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee183/Kidbrown1/1986%20Chevy%20K-5%20Blazer/IMG_0871.jpg


http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee183/Kidbrown1/1986%20Chevy%20K-5%20Blazer/IMG_0872.jpg