Rear Diff. question?? Help!

**Tileman1** · 08-06-2009, 05:36 PM

I have a 99 K1500 suburban with a shot rear Diff. (10 bolt,3.42,GU6). Will a axle form a 98 Z71 (14 bolt,3.42) work as an bolt on replacement??? Thanks!

**vncj96** · 08-06-2009, 05:46 PM

I would think so, do you plan on just swapping the entire axle?

**Tileman1** · 08-06-2009, 05:53 PM

Yes, just wanted to swap out the entire axle.

**MrShorty** · 08-06-2009, 10:16 PM

14 bolt semi-floating or 14 bolt full floater?

I'm not familiar with all the details of swapping to a 14 bolt. Gut feel is it isn't 100% "plug and play." Might be some issues with the brake proportioning valve and a few other details that need to be watched out for. The main one that I can think of is 6 vs. 8 lug. Your K1500 is almost certainly 6 lug. Most 14 bolts are 8 lug. Not a deal killer necessarily, it just makes it extra work when you want to rotate the front tires to the back and the back tires to the front.

**Tileman1** · 08-06-2009, 10:48 PM

Thanks, Its a 6lug 14bolt, the only other issue I've seen is I might need a different u joint ( size diff of the yoke). Mike

**2COR517** · 08-07-2009, 02:06 AM

Go for the swap. I'm pretty sure you can get "hybrid" u-joints that will allow you to use your driveshaft on the 14 bolt pinion.

**knightracer_08** · 08-07-2009, 12:32 PM

the diff is an easy bolt in swap with no extra mods and yes there is a hybrid u-joint, i have the part number if you would like. It'll take me a couple days to find it though. I have done this swap before.