The Stupid Axle Questions Thread

wonslung said:

I'm looking and re gearing. I've Googled a lot of questions but I want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly

I have a 94 c1500 and I've put larger tires on it. (31x10.5). I do mild towing (2-3k tops). I'd love to swap in a 14 bolt rear but my wheels are 15 inch 5 lug.

It's my understanding that I can swap the front calipers for 6 lug easily but then I also need to find 15 inch 6 lug wheels.

Is there another option? Can you somehow redrill the 14 bolt units for 5 lug or can you buy axles with 5 lugs to swap in?

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Yes you can. Hell you could even find a 454 ss 14 bolt that's already 5 lug

Stupid question time I guess. I have a 95 Single cab, swb, 1500. Plan on making it a race truck with very little Street driven concern. My question is what are you guys that are making power using for rear end and rear brake swaps? Are you modifying a 14 bolt and just using that? I'm not gonna make enough in the beginning to justify buying a fully built Strange rear with all the bells and whistles, but if that would be cheaper in the long run I might just go ahead and do it.

DirtySavage said:

Stupid question time I guess. I have a 95 Single cab, swb, 1500. Plan on making it a race truck with very little Street driven concern. My question is what are you guys that are making power using for rear end and rear brake swaps? Are you modifying a 14 bolt and just using that? I'm not gonna make enough in the beginning to justify buying a fully built Strange rear with all the bells and whistles, but if that would be cheaper in the long run I might just go ahead and do it.

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It's hard to beat the 9.5" 14B, it's alot of beef for cheap. 33 spline axles, a 9 1/2 ring gears, and a variety of differentials available. Trailblazer SS guy's go 9's on them.

I would keep in mind a Dana 60 or Ford 9". Again, you're looking for strength and upgradeability, you wont find axles with more options than these two. Check under a Mark VII or VIII Lincoln, they supposedly came with Ford 9's with your axle bolt pattern if you want to keep wheels the same to start with

I think...somebody check this

Yea I wasn't sure what would be a reasonable or available option for swapping. Then again with enough time, money and creativity I suppose anything would fit lol. Thanks for the replies.

14 bolt would not be the way to go, lots of power draw, same with a 60 but more setup for track oriented vehicles. 9" is very efficient very aftermarket supported and all around your best bet.

I'm considering re-gear of our 99 Suburban to 3.73 from 3.42, as we might be getting a travel trailer and the extra towing oomph would be nice.

Just looking on Craigslist it looks like I can get a whole rear axle for around what it would cost to re-gear the current axle, and while I suppose there is an unknown quality to getting a used axle, I thought that might be a decent way to go.

Question I came up with is

Looks like I can get a NBS (from 03) for about the same cost as a direct replacement. Would that be a reasonably direct swap or not worth the effort? I assume that would make rear disc conversion fairly simple, but are there any other advantages or drawbacks to the newer axle?

2wd suburban? Then yeah giver. Spring perch widths are different, as are ebrake connections and u joint, shocks should line up close.

You might swear a little but its doable.

If it's 4wd don't forget to change the front center section

Do you think 3.73's are enough? Do you climb hills? A 4.10 or 4.56 could be better, remember you do you have overdrive so it won't kill you tooooo terribly to go a little higher. Just thinking out loud


EDIT => I also appear to be grammar-ing incorrectly out loud as well, there should be one less you in that one sentence....oops

It's 4x4, yes would have to do the front eventually too (would just pull front driveshaft if I couldn't do it all at once).

Well I was just looking at 3.73 since that was the only other factory option for the K1500, and I expect the towing duty to be rare.

Another stupid question... I have the locking/limited slip rear... If I keep the same rear end but re-gear is the locking unit the same, or would I need a new locker also?

Axles are still one of the mysteries of vehicles to me.

Strange how low the tow rating on stock 1500 Suburban is..

dave_erald said:

2wd suburban? Then yeah giver. Spring perch widths are different, as are ebrake connections and u joint, shocks should line up close.

You might swear a little but its doable.

If it's 4wd don't forget to change the front center section

Do you think 3.73's are enough? Do you climb hills? A 4.10 or 4.56 could be better, remember you do you have overdrive so it won't kill you tooooo terribly to go a little higher. Just thinking out loud


EDIT => I also appear to be grammar-ing incorrectly out loud as well, there should be one less you in that one sentence....oops

Click to expand...

They did offer 4:10 and up in one ton trucks. (14 full float only)

Carrier break on almost all axles is 4.10 meaning anything same axle 4.10 and down will bolt on, anything 4.10 and up is a different carrier.

So to answer your question, yes if you stay same axle (10 bolt I assume) you can swap in a set of 3.73 easy as pie....after shimming and setup of course