OBS rear axle width

BigWaveDaveAZ said:

Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.
I have a 2dr 2 wd Tahoe with a narrowed tear end, I'm looking to swap back to a stock width rear end. Also wanting to know if a 4dr 2wd is the same width as the 2dr 2wd.

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It might not be swapped, the rear end is noticeably narrower than the front end on these trucks. Lots of people add wheel spacers to make thing visually line up.

MrPink said:

Wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface yes

65" for 2wd and 68" for 4wd.

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Measuring like that, does the drum width make a difference?

boy&hisdogs said:

Keep in mind that duallys, vans and C&C/Utility trucks have odd sized axles. And if you are looking for a 14bSF then you can't swap 8 to 6 lug because the drums are different sizes and won't work on the other housing.

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This is not accurate. Here is a killer swap with factory parts:

1. Locate a 2000-2007 Disc Braked 8 lug 14SF.
2. Order shafts for a 88-98 Z71.
3. Order rear brake rotors for an early 2000s 3/4 ton 6 lug Van.

This his will get you a 6 lug 14SF with larger 3/4 ton discs and parking brake. Everything bolts up.

You can also use the rear axle from a 90s 3/4 ton 6 lug van as it will be 68" wide also.
I can't comment on the 2000s and up van as I have not looked under them.

BigWaveDaveAZ said:

Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.
I have a 2dr 2 wd Tahoe with a narrowed tear end, I'm looking to swap back to a stock width rear end. Also wanting to know if a 4dr 2wd is the same width as the 2dr 2wd.

Click to expand...

From my experience, the 88-98 truck/suv 5 lug 10 bolts are all the same.

axisT6 said:

This is not accurate. Here is a killer swap with factory parts:

1. Locate a 2000-2007 Disc Braked 8 lug 14SF.
2. Order shafts for a 88-98 Z71.
3. Order rear brake rotors for an early 2000s 3/4 ton 6 lug Van.

This his will get you a 6 lug 14SF with larger 3/4 ton discs and parking brake. Everything bolts up.

You can also use the rear axle from a 90s 3/4 ton 6 lug van as it will be 68" wide also.
I can't comment on the 2000s and up van as I have not looked under them.

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Thank you, I appreciate your help and information.

Donald Mitchell said:

Measuring like that, does the drum width make a difference?

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no because the mounting flange are in different spots for the backing plates regarding the 4wd and 2wd applications, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton.

I see now. Thanks

axisT6 said:

This is not accurate. Here is a killer swap with factory parts:

1. Locate a 2000-2007 Disc Braked 8 lug 14SF.
2. Order shafts for a 88-98 Z71.
3. Order rear brake rotors for an early 2000s 3/4 ton 6 lug Van.

This his will get you a 6 lug 14SF with larger 3/4 ton discs and parking brake. Everything bolts up.

You can also use the rear axle from a 90s 3/4 ton 6 lug van as it will be 68" wide also.
I can't comment on the 2000s and up van as I have not looked under them.

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I never looked at NBS but I actually pulled an 8 lug SF out of another OBS truck first time around. I bought six lug shafts and drums and all that but the brakes were completely different. The backing plate mounts were too far in on the 8 lug SF and the 6 lug drum was too shallow. I did not know about the vans, I thought they were 70".

Hate to bring this back up but I am in a situation myself with little experience.
Will a 4x4 rear complete rear end bolt up to my C1500 2wd 95 chevy truck? I know it is wider, i know it is 6 bolt compared to my 5.
Will it bolt up without modification. Please, it is my daily driver and the snow flies soon.

ummagumma89 said:

Will a 4x4 rear complete rear end bolt up to my C1500 2wd 95 chevy truck? I know it is wider, i know it is 6 bolt compared to my 5.
Will it bolt up without modification.

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WHICH rear axle do you have in the C1500, and WHICH "4X4" axle do you want to put in?

2WD 10-bolt-to-4WD 10-bolt should work. I think the spring spacing, and shock-absorber mounts are in the same place. I'm NOT positive, and I have NOT done this swap. Frankly, that's a lot of work to get another crappy 10-bolt axle with crappy 254mm leading/trailing brakes.

10-bolt-to-14-bolt semi-float should work, but you'll need a conversion U-joint on the driveshaft, and the larger, 14-bolt semi-float U-bolt brackets from the donor vehicle. Again, NOT positive on spring spacing and shock-mounting. At least you'd have a MUCH stronger axle with far better 11.x Duo-Servo rear brakes.

The 14-bolt Full-Float axle is probably going to need a shortened driveshaft AND a conversion U-joint. Very overkill in a half-ton truck. Gigantic 13" brakes of either 2.5" or 3.5" width. Not recommended.

VERIFY SPRING SPACING AND SHOCK MOUNTING. And you'll need new U-bolts no matter what. The two rear park-brake cables will need to be for the truck you have, which may be different from the donor vehicle, depending on cab and box length. If yours are good, re-use 'em. Otherwise you'll need new ones--which is pretty typical.

Also common to have to replace the two sections of brake tubing from the axle-end of the rear brake hose, out to each wheel cylinder, due to rust. Of course, you'll be inspecting/repairing the rear brakes as needed.