Rear axle swap 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton

[ChevyToTheLevy]

I can't see if this has been covered or not. Or at least can't find it.

I have a 2001 1500 5.3 2WD

Currently need to replace the 10 bolt 8.6 G80 GT4,

Looking to move up to a 3/4 ton with 4.10 gears (GT5) if possible, without any fab work needed.

 

Just need to know what axle out of which Silverado I need?

 

Thanks much appreciated.

[Chris]

Fab isn't needed but you will need a new driveshaft, new wheels, and a lot of other miscellaneous parts. Not worth the swap

[michigan2500hd]

I believe you can swap a 6 lug 9.5" ( light duty 3/4 ton )rear end in fairly easily. It was used on the half ton ton 2006 Vortec Max ( GMT 800). May have had disc brakes.. Can't remember if your year truck has discs.

I know it was a really easy swap to do in the 88-98 trucks.

 

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

[RyanbabZ71]

14 bolt from a 6.2 truck?

 

 

Ryan B.

[michigan2500hd]

14 bolt from a 6.2 truck?

 

 

Ryan B.

I thought about that but he wants a 4:10 gear. I wouldn't be surprised if the spring perches, brake connections, etc. Would be different.. ie : GMT 800 TO 900, etc.

 

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

[ChevyToTheLevy]

Mine came with disc brakes, and I wouldn't want to have to change out the driveshaft or use a different bolt pattern.

 

As for the 4.10 gears it's not a deal breaker if I can only get something with 3.73.

 

As for the 9.5" you talked about Michigan2500hd, you believe it's a direct swap?

[ChevyToTheLevy]

Fab isn't needed but you will need a new driveshaft, new wheels, and a lot of other miscellaneous parts. Not worth the swap

Is this for any swap to 3/4ton?

[Chris]

For a 3/4 ton axle in a 1500 yes. Going from the 8.6 to the 9.5 would require some driveshaft work as well. And finding a used one is over priced as a new one is close to $3000. Cheaper building the hell out of the 8.6

[NSFW]

A common axle is the GT5 3.73 which is semi-floating LSD and comes with rear disc. The switch from 4.10 to 3.73 will give the truck longer legs, but at a cost of torque. (like 14% from one to the other value respectfully) if you continue to run the same tire you were on the 10 bolt. If you are running a 245 with a 4.10, and you go to a 3.73 axle I know of a little trick: Reduce the sidewall profile from 245 to 235 and the spedo won't need to be re-calibrated. PLUS your torque values will return back to where they were with the 10 bolt. If you are running a 4.10 with 235 tire, you can reduce it to a 225 IF you don't mind loosing the sidewall. A 225 is a small tire on a 16 inch rim but options are options.

The GT4 and GT5 differ in girth, (of course) but they differ majorly in input pinion length. About 3 inches different with the 5 being the longer. (requiring a shorter shaft) UNLESS you compensate with a lift kit. The bolt up is the same, and the e-brake's attach the same, brake line in the exact same spot. In which all of this lengthening and shortening evens out. You can switch the input yoke from the 4 to the 5.. Unbolt one, bolt on the other. The splines and the oil seal are the same and you can re-use your stock drive-shaft w/ujoints but it greatly reduces the plunge depth of the slip-yoke at the transmission. One HARD landing COULD break it. I have heard of folks swapping output tail shafts between the L480 and the L460 but I never tried it. Efforts to not play with the driveshaft.

The other difference with the G80 is spring perch height. The 4 will be near flush with the top of the axle tube, where as the 5 will have about 1-1/2 inches on it. This will result in the needing of longer u-bolts, unless the spring pack is re-organized to compensate for the height difference. I would get the bolt flip kit, which re-locates the nuts to the top of the spring pack.

The Axle Shafts 'COULD' be swapped out for correct bolt pattern shafts. A custom job of course. Bear in mind you would need to address the disk brakes, specifically rotors.. Which might halt ya. UNLESS you put the 4 brake setup on the 5 and matched it up with correct axle shafts. Might work. Never tried it. Would need to get the two axles in a welding shop and do some parts swapping. You could also get a machine shop to re-drill the rotors to accept the different bolt pattern. Weld the holes, re drill the holes, then relax and re temper the rotor..

I would put the GT5 in the rear of the truck, and convert the front to 2500 wheel outers (4 bolt hub) THAT'S a monkey of a job and though you can KINDA make it work.. over the long run it eats tires.. Its not as easy as just changing the wheel-bearings. Would be SO nice if it were that easy.

All accounted for.. what I would do?

Buy a damaged 2500 with a straight frame. Strip it. Take all parts off of your truck and put on new 2500 frame. you will end UP with a nicer truck in the end of it. Because you will be able to address ALL the prone rust issues with the frame WHILE you have the truck apart. Plus take care of the ABS problems.. and various other MFG shenanigans. from the top down..

OR.. find a 2004 2500 with a GT5 in it.

[Chris]

So much information on codes not correct. AXN is the code for the axle. A 10, 12, and 14 bolt can have GT4, or GT5 plus G80. The GT and GU codes are ratios while G80 is a locker and G86 is limited slip. AXN is the the Semi floating rear end with rear discs from the newer 6.2 trucks. That sticker would have AXN, GT4, and G80 on the rpo sticker

[ChevyToTheLevy]

So much information on codes not correct. AXN is the code for the axle. A 10, 12, and 14 bolt can have GT4, or GT5 plus G80. The GT and GU codes are ratios while G80 is a locker and G86 is limited slip. AXN is the the Semi floating rear end with rear discs from the newer 6.2 trucks. That sticker would have AXN, GT4, and G80 on the rpo sticker

Chris I'm not going to try a 3/4 ton swap anymore after the information I got here, and other research I did, but now I have another question.

 

Found an axle out of a 2001 4x4 Crew Cab which I believe is a G80 GT5 10 bolt going to confirm with seller. I have a 2001 4x2 extended cab with G80 GT4 10 bolt.

I don't believe I should have any problem swapping right over correct? There is no difference between the two axles? Other than gear ratio, as long as it is a 10 bolt 8.6.

[Chris]

Worst thing would be the universal joint with you can get an adapting one for less than $50

[ChevyToTheLevy]

Worst thing would be the universal joint with you can get an adapting one for less than $50

I thought so, thanks for the help I appreciate it.

[Gustavoortiz166]

Can i swap my 3:42 rear end to a 3:73 with special work like take my bad one of the 3:42 and put the 3:73 will i be back on the road doing the swap my slef