Will a 8.5 Camaro 10 bolt axle fit in a 1981 squarebody?

[Ryanbrown36]

Might be a stupid question but I have no clue about rear ends. I have found a 1970 8.5” Camaro 10 bolt with 4.11 gears and was wondering if I can make it fit in my 1981 sierra. Thanks

 

[Strick]

The center section will work but it is or should be 28 spline where the trucks have 30 spline axle/spider gears. If it is a limited slip then I'd recommend to purchase a new unit and gears and go that direction.

HS

 

[Ryanbrown36]

The center section will work but it is or should be 28 spline where the trucks have 30 spline axle/spider gears. If it is a limited slip then I'd recommend to purchase a new unit and gears and go that direction.

HS

It is a posi rear end, which is the main reason I would like to swap mine out, I currently have a non posi 3.08 in it now. My main concern was the overall length of the axle?

 

[Edelbrock]

It is a posi rear end, which is the main reason I would like to swap mine out, I currently have a non posi 3.08 in it now. My main concern was the overall length of the axle?

Is your truck a 4x4? If so, that axle wont work unless you swap the front axle as well.

The gearing will be different, so keep that in mind. I believe that the 4.11 gearing would give a lower top speed.

If the length of the axle is wrong, you can use wheel spacers or different wheel offsets to compensate.

 

[Ryanbrown36]

Is your truck a 4x4? If so, that axle wont work unless you swap the front axle as well.

The gearing will be different, so keep that in mind. I believe that the 4.11 gearing would give a lower top speed.

If the length of the axle is wrong, you can use wheel spacers or different wheel offsets to compensate.

The truck is not 4 wheel drive and believe the length of the axle is 56” backing plate to backing plate. Not too worried about top speed more about how bad the mileage would be highway driving, but also want a it to be fun to drive around town so understand it’s give and take for that aspect. So from what I understand it wouldn’t work without changing the diff to a 30 spline?

 

[Edelbrock]

The truck is not 4 wheel drive and believe the length of the axle is 56” backing plate to backing plate. Not too worried about top speed more about how bad the mileage would be highway driving, but also want a it to be fun to drive around town so understand it’s give and take for that aspect. So from what I understand it wouldn’t work without changing the diff to a 30 spline?

If you are replacing the entire axle, I don't see how splines would matter. As long as the drive shaft will bolt up to the U-joint, then what difference would the splines make? Note: I am no axle expert by any means.

 

[Strick]

It is a posi rear end, which is the main reason I would like to swap mine out, I currently have a non posi 3.08 in it now. My main concern was the overall length of the axle?

The length overall is different as well as the spring perches being below the tubes instead of above. There are no shock saddle/perches on those F body axles either as they go into the U bolt pad. The center section and gears MAY work as long as the spiders are the same spline. I just did lockers and gears on my 87 and those 10 bolts are 30 spline. I have a Yukon unit and gears for my 72 Camaro and they are 28; that's why I was mentioning the spline difference as the entire axle will not work.

HS

 

[Ryanbrown36]

If you are replacing the entire axle, I don't see how splines would matter. As long as the drive shaft will bolt up to the U-joint, then what difference would the splines make? Note: I am no axle expert by any means.

Okay, appreciate the help

 

[Ryanbrown36]

The length overall is different as well as the spring perches being below the tubes instead of above. There are no shock saddle/perches on those F body axles either as they go into the U bolt pad. The center section and gears MAY work as long as the spiders are the same spline. I just did lockers and gears on my 87 and those 10 bolts are 30 spline. I have a Yukon unit and gears for my 72 Camaro and they are 28; that's why I was mentioning the spline difference as the entire axle will not work.

HS

I would prefer relatively easy swap if possible which seems like this might be a decent bit of work to do, would your recommend not using this axle due to the differences or is it worth a shot considering it’s a good deal and can’t find any truck axles around me?

 

[legopnuematic]

A Camaro should be a 5x4.75 bolt pattern, a 2wd 1/2 ton is 5x5 bolt pattern.

Meaning you need different wheels for the rear, or change (or redrill) axles or run adapters.

In my opinion, you’d be far better off to find a reputable person to install new gears/posi in your current 10 bolt, instead of swapping one from a car in. Spring perches, shock mounts, etc also will need to be changed.

Or find a 10 bolt from a squarebody that has what you want, then swap the whole assembly.

 

[Ryanbrown36]

A Camaro should be a 5x4.75 bolt pattern, a 2wd 1/2 ton is 5x5 bolt pattern.

Meaning you need different wheels for the rear, or change (or redrill) axles or run adapters.

In my opinion, you’d be far better off to find a reputable person to install new gears/posi in your current 10 bolt, instead of swapping one from a car in. Spring perches, shock mounts, etc also will need to be changed.

Or find a 10 bolt from a squarebody that has what you want, then swap the whole assembly.

Ok appreciate the help, definitely seems like a better option right now