*FOUND - 14B 9 1/2 SF*

[GMCTruck]

And of course the axle shafts in the 8600 will be 8 lug.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I think that the basic 9.5 sf axle is the same between the 1500 F44/ light duty 2500/ 8600 gvw 2500 (assuming all 4x4) but the 8600 3/4 ton will have different backing plates and drum brake parts.

Yup and drums themselves will be different,6 lug vs. 8 lug! The 8 lug brakes should be 13" x 2 1/2", that's what the rear axle in my square body Burb was and it was SF.

 

[someotherguy]

I don't see a lot of light duty 3/4 tons but I would say the bottom spring is thicker and longer looking than any 1500 I see. (I personally wouldn't call the bottom spring an "overload" but it's all semantics). My 1995 GMC k1500 ecsb with F44 did not have 4+1 rear leaves. Only 3+1

About 15 years ago, I was talking to a guy who had a 1998 K1500 ecsb parked at my office. He said "it was the same as the 3/4 ton". I said no because the gvwr will be 6600. He opened the door and I'll be damned but the sticker inside the door said 7200 gvwr but it was definitely a 1500 with the 9.5 rear end.

It's interesting that someone found a light duty 2500 with factory 4.10 gears. I didn't think that existed.

I'd call it an overload spring because its ends set apart from the rest of the spring pack until you really load the truck down. In other words that leaf doesn't come into play during normal operation, avoiding too firm of a ride. When loaded heavy, it will be contacted and in action.

15 years ago that 1998 model was already 10 years old so it's possible the door may have been crashed and replaced with one from a boneyard 2500LD. Without confirming the VIN on the door sticker matched the VIN on his dash...we wouldn't know for sure. I'm unaware of any GMT400 1500 with a 7200 GVWR. Not saying they don't exist, but I don't see how they could.

As far as 6 lug 9.5 SF’s and getting any replacement parts, is there any difference for these for 88-98? Obviously, gearing aside. Any case markings to “uncover”?

Were you able to get the year/model from the yard it came from? May help when ordering parts. I'd at least contact a knowledgeable source like Randy's Ring & Pinion, for example.

Richard

 

[Supercharged111]

I think that the basic 9.5 sf axle is the same between the 1500 F44/ light duty 2500/ 8600 gvw 2500 (assuming all 4x4) but the 8600 3/4 ton will have different backing plates and drum brake parts.

They are the same in the middle, but the axle tubes are different lengths and I believe the outer bearings are different too. As well as the brakes and axle shafts themselves, but those are a given.

 

[GMCTruck]

I'd call it an overload spring because its ends set apart from the rest of the spring pack until you really load the truck down. In other words that leaf doesn't come into play during normal operation, avoiding too firm of a ride. When loaded heavy, it will be contacted and in action.

15 years ago that 1998 model was already 10 years old so it's possible the door may have been crashed and replaced with one from a boneyard 2500LD. Without confirming the VIN on the door sticker matched the VIN on his dash...we wouldn't know for sure. I'm unaware of any GMT400 1500 with a 7200 GVWR. Not saying they don't exist, but I don't see how they could.

That's a good way to look at it Richard. I guess I look at the basic spring as a two stage spring. The upper leafs allow some bounce to soften the ride and the bottom stiffer spring engages when more load is added. So maybe i would call it a "load" spring. "Overload spring" is a term I would use instead of "auxiliary springs" which go on top of the spring pack and engage bump stops on the frame when the truck is heavily loaded. One can look at it either way.

From what I remember, the guy with the 7200 K1500 bought the truck new and the door was original. And now that I think about it, I am almost certain that I saw a K1500 in a dealer showroom (probably 1998) and it also had a 7200 door sticker.

 

[GMCTruck]

They are the same in the middle, but the axle tubes are different lengths and I believe the outer bearings are different too. As well as the brakes and axle shafts themselves, but those are a given.

My mechanic friend who owns the local NAPA replaced all the bearings in my 95 rear axle a few years ago. The left rear outer bearing started making noise so I replaced it myself. He gave me a replacement bearing which he had ordered to use in his 8600 3/4 ton with the 9.5 axle. He said it was the same bearing for the two trucks.

 

[Caman96]

Here’s a question that I feel like I already know the answer, but will the brake line on the 10 bolt work on the 14 bolt? That would be too easy.
FWIW- LMC lists them as the same. Maybe there’s hope, what’s in photo are newish stainless steel.

 

[Caman96]

Mines got a factory 6 lug, 9.5 SF with 4.10's too.

92 any chance you could snap a couple of photos of the extra bracing I’ve heard of? I would really like to see that. Also, as in picture above a shot showing brake lines. Would really appreciate it.

 

[92GMCK2500]

Check my build thread. You might spot something. I'll have to snap some more pics sometime.

 

[Supercharged111]

Check my build thread. You might spot something. I'll have to snap some more pics sometime.

Your pics don't show the leaf spring hangers which I believe is where we'd see those reinforcements.