1986 GMC1T rearend and transmission swap to 1/2T Chevrolet

[Russ Brown]

I am 19 years old and would like to change my 1987 ½ ton Chevrolet Silverado rear end to a 14 bolt 1 ton rear end for better towing capability. I also own a 22' Pace trailer with (2) 5,000 lb. axles. My trailer plus load is approximately 7,800 lbs. I have a small sound and lighting business and can't afford to buy a new truck and go to college, but my present truck rear end is a 3:07 and just doesn’t have the power to tow my trailer. The transmission is about ready to go. I do tow with it but I have to be very easy on it. I would like to change rear end to a 4:10 ratio floating axle for better starting capability. I am also going to change the transmission from a 700R4 to a Turbo 400 with a HD cooler. The truck is primarily used to tow short distances, never more than 100 miles.
I just purchased a 1986 1 ton GMC 6.2 Diesel for parts because it was only $200. The heads are off the motor but the person told me that the rear end was ok and the transmission was ok when it stopped running. The wheel base is 131.5 inches on both trucks and the rear half of the drive shaft and yoke measures the same on both trucks. I haven’t measured the front driveshaft. I am wondering if the yoke is the same on the 86 GMC and the 87 Chevrolet. I also plan to use the GMC Turbo 400 transmission and put it in my truck, after overhauling. Just looking for advice from someone that has done this swap, will it all work and how difficult. Brake bias is a question? Thanks Russ Brown (New Member)
I did a search found some items but not thorough enough. I think some of the experienced people on the board that has done this swap before, should start a study hall and put detailed articles in the study hall so that people like myself don’t have to ask the same question over, but could go to the study hall and read a complete articles on this swap.
If someone has done this please direct me to the article.