4wd axle under a 2wd truck?

backyardgarage · Aug 24, 2024

As I don't have both my truck with me today, I'm gonna ask here.
I have a rear axle from a 91 K5 that I scrapped. It has a 3:42 gear with a G80 locker. Now my 84 GMC, according to the RPO has a "standard" rear gear, assuming 2:73.
Am I correct to assume it's a no brainer swap?
Or am I missing something?
Thanks

bucket · Aug 24, 2024

The 4x4 axle housing should have slightly shorter shock mounts and it has a 6-lug wheel bolt pattern. But yeah, it bolts right in.

backyardgarage · Aug 24, 2024

bucket said:
The 4x4 axle housing should have slightly shorter shock mounts and it has a 6-lug wheel bolt pattern. But yeah, it bolts right in.

Yep, I remembered the bolt pattern after I posted.

mattsk8 · Aug 26, 2024

backyardgarage said:
Yep, I remembered the bolt pattern after I posted.

I'd still look into it. I'm not sure, but possibly someone here would know... assuming both diffs are the same (guessing a 10 bolt) can't you take the 5 stud axles out of your 2wd diff and put them in the 4wd diff??

bucket · Aug 26, 2024

mattsk8 said:
I'd still look into it. I'm not sure, but possibly someone here would know... assuming both diffs are the same (guessing a 10 bolt) can't you take the 5 stud axles out of your 2wd diff and put them in the 4wd diff??

It's a direct swap, EXCEPT in '88-ish, the axles went from 28 spline to 30 spline.

4wd axle under a 2wd truck?

backyardgarage

Full Access Member

bucket

Super Moderator

backyardgarage

Full Access Member

mattsk8

Full Access Member

bucket

Super Moderator

Similar threads

Latest posts

Forum statistics