swapping rear ends - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hiddingout · 03-10-2003, 07:14 PM

if anyone knows if i can do this it would be very helpful. I own a 1989 chevy 3/4 350 6 lug with a bad rear end in it. I can buy a1989 GMC 3/4 350 with 8 lug. i was wondering if they interchangable. I was going to replace the whole axle. any advice would be apprecaited. thanks

special70gmc · 03-10-2003, 08:35 PM

wouldnt see why not unless the suspention has different mounts.

1969 GMC · 03-11-2003, 03:08 AM

If you swap in the 8-lug rear, then you will have 2 different wheels to worry about. If you have a spare for the 6-lug, then the 8-lug tire will blow up 100 miles from home. And vice versa. And if you have a spare for each, you probably won't get any flats.

hiddingout · 03-11-2003, 06:28 AM

Here something that I omited from my Original post. Both trucks are 4 x 4s.I think this is why I will have a problem switching them. any advice helpful. I never thought about the 2 spare thing thanks1969 gmc.

matt67350 · 03-11-2003, 11:56 AM

Measure the spring saddles on both axels, check the brake lines to see if they match, look at the pinion yokes to see if they are the same, and the e-brake cables are they the same, and thats just the start. good luck

crazy4chevs · 03-14-2003, 12:43 PM

If its a 4x4 make sure both rears have the same gearing so the new one will work right with the front gears. Also to get around having to have 2 spares you could change the front axle hubs so the front would have 8lugs too.

03-10-2003, 07:14 PM	#1
hiddingout Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2	swapping rear ends if anyone knows if i can do this it would be very helpful. I own a 1989 chevy 3/4 350 6 lug with a bad rear end in it. I can buy a1989 GMC 3/4 350 with 8 lug. i was wondering if they interchangable. I was going to replace the whole axle. any advice would be apprecaited. thanks

03-10-2003, 08:35 PM	#2
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	wouldnt see why not unless the suspention has different mounts. __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

03-11-2003, 03:08 AM	#3
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	If you swap in the 8-lug rear, then you will have 2 different wheels to worry about. If you have a spare for the 6-lug, then the 8-lug tire will blow up 100 miles from home. And vice versa. And if you have a spare for each, you probably won't get any flats. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

03-11-2003, 11:56 AM	#5
matt67350 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Benbrook, TX Posts: 1,060	Measure the spring saddles on both axels, check the brake lines to see if they match, look at the pinion yokes to see if they are the same, and the e-brake cables are they the same, and thats just the start. good luck __________________ 69 swb stepside, rebuild and upgrade in progress

03-14-2003, 12:43 PM	#6
crazy4chevs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Des Moines WA. (Kent, area) Posts: 668	If its a 4x4 make sure both rears have the same gearing so the new one will work right with the front gears. Also to get around having to have 2 spares you could change the front axle hubs so the front would have 8lugs too. __________________ 70 chev c10 swb fleet 72 grill, sb 400, 2/4 drop. 68 chev c10 swb fleet Early classic 4/6 drop with 4wheel disc brakes 9"rear 67-8 buckets tilt and A/C Classic GM Truck Club of Washington .

03-11-2003, 06:28 AM	#4
hiddingout Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2	Here something that I omited from my Original post. Both trucks are 4 x 4s.I think this is why I will have a problem switching them. any advice helpful. I never thought about the 2 spare thing thanks1969 gmc.



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