School me on 3/4 ton GM drivetrain swap into 1/2'er

[Avanteone]

Got a customer here, '91 Suburban 1500 4x4. Blowe'd up his 10 bolt rear and looking to upgrade to 3/4 ton 8 lug stuff. This is out of my realm of normal experience and wondering what the best donor for a swap is.

Let me know what you think, and how much is bolt in, and what else is required, steering changes, u bolts, etc.

Thanks

John

 

[crash2]

If memory serves me right you can get that in 3/4 ton flavor..

I know the u-bolts and rear u-joint are different.

As for the front you can simply swap the outer stuff since both (1/2-3/4) are a dana 44 and I recall the steering the same..

 

[Little Red Zuk]

'91 front end would be an 8.5, not D44.

My '89 I put a 6-lug 9.5 in the rear from a 86 heavy half truck, and other than u-bolts and brake lines was almost direct bolt in.

 

[crash2]

'91 front end would be an 8.5, not D44.

My '89 I put a 6-lug 9.5 in the rear from a 86 heavy half truck, and other than u-bolts and brake lines was almost direct bolt in.

really---I have seen a bunch of 8 bolt/3/4 ton 44's under full sizes....

 

[XO FAB]

Got a customer here, '91 Suburban 1500 4x4. Blowe'd up his 10 bolt rear and looking to upgrade to 3/4 ton 8 lug stuff. This is out of my realm of normal experience and wondering what the best donor for a swap is.

Let me know what you think, and how much is bolt in, and what else is required, steering changes, u bolts, etc.

Thanks

John

Any 3/4ton 8 lug 14 bolt will bolt in. 1 Ton's will require changing spring perch width. You will have to redo shock mounts I believe on both tho. Will need new ubolts, and a conversion u joint and you will be good to go on the back. For the front, probably also has a 10 bolt, and not a Dana 44. Get either a Dana 44 8 lug, and it will bolt right in, or keep your same axle, and just swap from the spindles out with a 8 lug front. Everything on the front is a bolt on job.

 

[XO FAB]

Another option on a better rear axle and keeping it 6 lug would be to get a semi floating 14 bolt out of like a late 90's 1500 chev. Much larger rear axle, but still 6 lug so dont have to worry about buying new wheels and such.

 

[Avanteone]

Another option on a better rear axle and keeping it 6 lug would be to get a semi floating 14 bolt out of like a late 90's 1500 chev. Much larger rear axle, but still 6 lug so dont have to worry about buying new wheels and such.

Forgot about that one, I'll give him that option!

 

[JOOP]

Ford ran a camper special 3/4 ton Dana 44. 8 lug. I think it was late 70's.

 

[crash2]

Ford ran a camper special 3/4 ton Dana 44. 8 lug. I think it was late 70's.

I believe ford is a drivers side drop---gm is a passenger side drop....

 

[Avanteone]

Ford ran a camper special 3/4 ton Dana 44. 8 lug. I think it was late 70's.

What the fawk does that have to do with the conversation at hand? :flipoff:

 

[JOOP]

What the fawk does that have to do with the conversation at hand? :flipoff:

You can find a 8 lug dana 44 or grab parts off of one. :flipoff:

 

[leadfoot067]

the 9.5 14 bolt 6 lugger would be the easiest swap...may not be the cheapest though..a 10.5 14 bolt can be had for 100 buks,need u-bolts and plates,rear shaft shortened and 1350 end put on it.front 8 lug conversion..just need the outers if both sets of gears match already..e-brake cables vary depending on the year.so the closer together they are year wise the better for that.

 

[NotMatt]

Why not just put another half ton axle in, sell the rig and buy an actual 3/4 ton burb? They exist and aren't that hard to find.

 

[Avanteone]

Why not just put another half ton axle in, sell the rig and buy an actual 3/4 ton burb? They exist and aren't that hard to find.

No clue, just a customer looking at options.

 

[whatthe?]

There are semifloat 14 bolts with disc brakes if your customer is interested.

 

[Avanteone]

Another option on a better rear axle and keeping it 6 lug would be to get a semi floating 14 bolt out of like a late 90's 1500 chev. Much larger rear axle, but still 6 lug so dont have to worry about buying new wheels and such.

I think this is the way the guy's gonna go. Any clue what exact application I'm looking for on car-part.com or when I'm calling dismantler's?

 

[XO FAB]

I think this is the way the guy's gonna go. Any clue what exact application I'm looking for on car-part.com or when I'm calling dismantler's?

Dont know the exact answer to that! I think alot of the Z71's came with them, but not sure if it was all of them or not. Also, came in several trucks called HD 1500's. I would just make sure it was a 14 bolt when calling around, and not the 10 bolt.

 

[Avanteone]

Dont know the exact answer to that! I think alot of the Z71's came with them, but not sure if it was all of them or not. Also, came in several trucks called HD 1500's. I would just make sure it was a 14 bolt when calling around, and not the 10 bolt.

Yeah, but are the trucks the same as suburbans, etc? If I punch in like an '89 C1500 with the 14bolt 9.5" ring gear, it brings up like '88 to '98 C/k 1500/2500, etc.

 

[XO FAB]

Yeah, but are the trucks the same as suburbans, etc? If I punch in like an '89 C1500 with the 14bolt 9.5" ring gear, it brings up like '88 to '98 C/k 1500/2500, etc.

I dont know of any suburbans that came with them. On car part- I searched for a 96 1500 truck, and clicked 14 bolt- looks like there is several available. Id also call Budget Truck down there by you. They normally seem to have that kinda stuff laying around.

 

[ain'tstuckjustresting]

I know my '93 Z-71 K1500 had the 14B in it. Didn't realize it until I bought a lift from Bob & the ubolts wouldn't fit. The only difference I noticed was one had square ubolts that went over the leaves and the other used round under the tubes. Other than that I think most everything will bolt right up.