4wd axle under a 2wd truck?

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backyardgarage

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.
 

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