Axle swap help

[hellbender]

Hi all,

So I have a 1997 yukon 4x4 slt with a 10 bolt 3.73 ratio w/g80 and I noticed that after driving it it now has a small pinhole leak and a hairline crack in the middle of the diff cover and what appears to be small dents from the inside out. I'm taking it to the local 4x4 shop near where i live in the morning to see whats wrong with it. If it just needs a new cover great, if it needs a new ring and pinion than ok i can do that but if the g80 is toast or the carrier is shot than is it worth rebuilding the entire thing? I found a company online that sells used high quality axles complete with a warranty for half of what the local shop will charge to completely rebuild mine. If I do that shouldnt I order a 6 lug semi floater 14 bolt instead? Correct me if I'm wrong but wont one of these be a direct bolt in replacement with no modding necessary? If i go this route will the 14 bolt brakes fit with my stock 16" factory rims? For that matter will my factory wheels have the same lug pattern? If thats the case then i would just decide if I wanted to swap it myself with a friend or just have the shop install it. Thanks for any help!

http://www.automotix.net/usedautopa...s=c62b642944edf1548c7a2741b5f3d933&seq_num=10

 

[dsltrc]

That is a 2wd axle and I think it is narrower than the 4x4 axles... I know that the 1500 axles are for sure...

 

[purple 'hoe]

You'll need a 6 lug SF axle from a 4x4. Some 1500 trucks had them. Otherwise, Light Duty 6 Lug 2500's had them. Some are 4 wheel drive.

The 2 whee drive axles are narrower than the 4 wheel drives.


Also, if your G80 is toast, then it's not worth it to rebuild it. You could always swap something else in (trutrac or another) in the 10 Bolt. But it will never be as tough as a 14 Bolt SF. And obviously not as tough as a 14BFF.

 

[hellbender]

Thanks for the replies guys. I found out today that the g80 is ok but I'm missing 16 out of the 40 teeth on my ring and pinion. the shop wants around $700 to replace it and thats if the axles are still good which they wont know until they dig into it more. If the axles are shot then its around $1k. If i go the 14sf route will the brakes fit on my stock 16" wheels? also will the snout of the 14 be the same or will i have to modify my driveshaft? Like will i need any driveshaft adapters or anything? I found a 6 lug axle with drum brakes from a 1995 k2500 pickup. From the link below its #3 on the chart. Out the door price will be around $950 to install the 14 bolt including the price of the 14bolt and shipping and labor. Or should i just rebuild my 10 bolt? I dont do any crazy 4x4'ing anymore. I just use it as my daily, go camping with it ,some fire roads, mild offroading and I have 285's. I will go to 33x13.50 down the line and maybe 35's but thats it. Thanks again!

http://www.automotix.net/usedautopa...s=26ebfff7a7414bb708129365d842d5d0&seq_num=27