swapping out 10 bolt

usmceric1 · 06-20-2008, 08:57 AM

My rear axle just s**t the bed. Its a 10 bolt w/3.73 gears. Its a 96 w/350 and 4l60E trans. It also has the Z71 (skid plates, slightly bigger shocks). I am running 285/75/16 BFG A/T KO's on stock wheels. I am thinking of doing an upgrade to a stronger axle. What will be the easiest bolt on axle......It would be nice if I could get a FF axle, but anything will be better than the twig that was my 10 bolt. I do light off roading, nothing crazy. I would also like to keep the 6 lug pattern. I will also get new leafs and Bilstein shocks that match the new axle. Thanks

usmceric1 · 06-20-2008, 08:59 AM

Oh and anyone know what RPO codes I should look for when scrounging the yards?? I know that GT4=3.73....

75K30 · 06-20-2008, 09:07 AM

Leafs and shocks are not matched to an axle.
You will probably want to look for a semi float 14 bolt from a similar year heavy half, or 2500 truck.
Keeping the 6 lug pattern is easy with a semi float axle. You will not find a full floater in 6 lug. These will require 8 lug wheels.
By finding a similar year truck, all will be as close to a direct bolt in as possible.
U-joint modifications may be required.

usmceric1 · 06-20-2008, 09:53 AM

So leafs and shocks are matched to the truck....gotcha. So I will be looking into a semi float 14 bolt out of a GMT400 truck 3/4 ton? How much money do these axles usually run abouts?? Is the semi float 14b a 9.5" gear set? While I am at it I may as well do a disc brake conversion...shouldn't be too hard. Our trucks with the drums don't stop very well. I just put new pads on the front and it still stops the same. One of my pads was separating from the backing plate. DO the 14b sf have detroit lockers?? Is it 33 spline?? I want the swap to be as painless as possible. But I also want it to last a long time as well. 75K you seem to know alot about this...thanks for the info.

75K30 · 06-20-2008, 10:41 AM

Sounds like you have a handle on this. A disc brake conversion is a real plus, and does add quite a bit of stopping power. I try to convert all of my trucks to 4wheel discs.Once you make the upgrade, you will wonder how you actually got the truck stopped before. It makes that much of a difference.
Here is a little article that describes the different 14b axles. It should hold some answers to your questions.
In my opinion, a detroit locker might be a little aggressive for a semi float 14b, but a tru trac, or gear type LS unit might be a great traction device.
Yes the semi float axle is a 1.3" 33 spline axle shaft. Not too bad as far as these go.
GM 14 Bolt Axle Rebuid Parts - 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

06-20-2008, 08:57 AM	#1
usmceric1 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 82	swapping out 10 bolt My rear axle just s**t the bed. Its a 10 bolt w/3.73 gears. Its a 96 w/350 and 4l60E trans. It also has the Z71 (skid plates, slightly bigger shocks). I am running 285/75/16 BFG A/T KO's on stock wheels. I am thinking of doing an upgrade to a stronger axle. What will be the easiest bolt on axle......It would be nice if I could get a FF axle, but anything will be better than the twig that was my 10 bolt. I do light off roading, nothing crazy. I would also like to keep the 6 lug pattern. I will also get new leafs and Bilstein shocks that match the new axle. Thanks

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06-20-2008, 08:59 AM	#2
usmceric1 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 82	Oh and anyone know what RPO codes I should look for when scrounging the yards?? I know that GT4=3.73....

06-20-2008, 09:07 AM	#3
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	Leafs and shocks are not matched to an axle. You will probably want to look for a semi float 14 bolt from a similar year heavy half, or 2500 truck. Keeping the 6 lug pattern is easy with a semi float axle. You will not find a full floater in 6 lug. These will require 8 lug wheels. By finding a similar year truck, all will be as close to a direct bolt in as possible. U-joint modifications may be required.

06-20-2008, 09:53 AM	#4
usmceric1 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 82	So leafs and shocks are matched to the truck....gotcha. So I will be looking into a semi float 14 bolt out of a GMT400 truck 3/4 ton? How much money do these axles usually run abouts?? Is the semi float 14b a 9.5" gear set? While I am at it I may as well do a disc brake conversion...shouldn't be too hard. Our trucks with the drums don't stop very well. I just put new pads on the front and it still stops the same. One of my pads was separating from the backing plate. DO the 14b sf have detroit lockers?? Is it 33 spline?? I want the swap to be as painless as possible. But I also want it to last a long time as well. 75K you seem to know alot about this...thanks for the info.

06-20-2008, 10:41 AM	#5
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	Sounds like you have a handle on this. A disc brake conversion is a real plus, and does add quite a bit of stopping power. I try to convert all of my trucks to 4wheel discs.Once you make the upgrade, you will wonder how you actually got the truck stopped before. It makes that much of a difference. Here is a little article that describes the different 14b axles. It should hold some answers to your questions. In my opinion, a detroit locker might be a little aggressive for a semi float 14b, but a tru trac, or gear type LS unit might be a great traction device. Yes the semi float axle is a 1.3" 33 spline axle shaft. Not too bad as far as these go. GM 14 Bolt Axle Rebuid Parts - 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine