87 with 30 spline axles

[WP77]

Were 30 spline axles used during the 87 model year in a 1/2 ton 4x4? I purchased a rebuilt 28 spline Gov Loc carrier and after installing it, discovered my axles wouldnt fit because they are 30 spline. I can't imagine the previous owner going to all the trouble to just convert to 30 spline axles without just going to a bigger carrier as well. Did GM start using the axles for the new body style 88's during on the 87's?

 

[Fr8dog]

Were 30 spline axles used during the 87 model year in a 1/2 ton 4x4? I purchased a rebuilt 28 spline Gov Loc carrier and after installing it, discovered my axles wouldnt fit because they are 30 spline. I can't imagine the previous owner going to all the trouble to just convert to 30 spline axles without just going to a bigger carrier as well. Did GM start using the axles for the new body style 88's during on the 87's?

I thought GM went to 30 spline axles in the 8.5” Corporate 10 bolt in 1989 and up. Previous owner could have swapped an entire axle out of donor vehicle that was 89 or newer?

 

[bucket]

I thought it might have been a running change late in the '88 model year.

But I also would suppose that the entire axle assembly has been swapped out at some point. It's a fairly common thing to happen.