Swapping rear axles between 1500 HD and 1500

[shorelocal]

I'm researching a project on an '01 RCSB 2WD that currently has stock 3.08 rear gears. I want to swap to 4.10's and I've found a 1500 HD that has the gears I want. Issue is the 1500 HD is an 8 bolt rear bolt pattern and the 1500 is a 6 bolt.

Question is ... Can I simply swap the complete rear assembly from the 1500 HD onto my 1500 RCSB and just swap the RCSB 6 bolt axles onto the HD rear end? Is there anything that I'm not considering? Like rear disc placement, or leaf spring placement?

 

[Scottydoggs]

dont think you can swap the axels. the 8 lug is likely a full floating rear end. in layman terms, the tahoe 10 bolt axel rides on a bearing at the end of the tube, and clips into the diff.

the full floating 14 bolt hd has a bearing hub at the end that the axels bolt to. you simply remove them 6 bolts in that center hub and you can pull the axel right out if the diff and tube.

be best to just buy some 4.10 gears and install them in your current diff.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Is there anything that I'm not considering? Like rear disc placement, or leaf spring placement?

Or the pumpkins themselves?

Swapping the axle assemblies -
or the axle tubes that belong to their respective axle assemblies -
is likely more complicated than simply buying the correct 4.10 ring&pinion for your GM 8.6" pumpkin.

 

[shorelocal]

Thanks for the feedback. Back to the drawing board with this plan.