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Rear end swap

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chevy gmc rearaxle rearend swap
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1.5K views 12 replies 5 participants last post by  mikesteelman2015  
#1 ·
First time posting on here. Wasn't sure what forum to choose hopefully someone can help me out. Ok so I have a 09 gmc sierra 1500 sle 5.3l v8 which is the same as chevy. I do a lot of rat rod work since I'm a welder and fabricator. My differential went out and one of my automotive clients suggested I swap out the rear 10 bolt) for a more robust 14 bolt rear axle from same year, but from a 2500 truck. We both did some research(he did more since he knows more mechanics than I do) and I ended up buying a used rear 2500. Before hand we did measure leaf springs bracket location was the same and it's all good. The guy I bought the rear from said that I'd have to change 2 of the knuckles from the u joint to fit the rear end (he said he did it once and had to the this) Neither me nor my friend heard any mention of this in our research videos but it makes sense. Since this got my attention I started looking up the part Specifications for both u joints and the 2500 is larger. Do i purchase a new 2500 u joint and pull off the 2 pieces needed and put them on the other u joint to the 1500? Does that work? Someone help me out.
And yes I realize the new rear takes 8 lug wheels that's not a concern at all.
 
#2 ·
The 10.5" axle is longer, your driveshaft may have to be shortened. At the very least, you could use a conversion joint to attach your driveshaft to the differential's yoke. !485 to 1355 if memory serves. Then you'll be driving around with different wheels and lug patterns... That's a future headache and will look hokey.

The 14-bolt 9.5" axle is really the way to go, your truck was made for it. It was used behind the 6.2 motors. Bolts right up, uses same 1355 u-joint and lug pattern, track width, etc. They came with 3.42 and 3.73 and some rare ones will have 4.10 gears.
 
#3 ·
swathdiver said:
The 10.5" axle is longer, your driveshaft may have to be shortened. At the very least, you could use a conversion joint to attach your driveshaft to the differential's yoke. !485 to 1355 if memory serves. Then you'll be driving around with different wheels and lug patterns... That's a future headache and will look hokey.

The 14-bolt 9.5" axle is really the way to go, your truck was made for it. It was used behind the 6.2 motors. Bolts right up, uses same 1355 u-joint and lug pattern, track width, etc. They came with 3.42 and 3.73 and some rare ones will have 4.10 gears.
Click to expand...
It's a work truck so I'm not worried about the wheels being different but I believe there's a conversion kit for the 8 lug. And yes while looking i did come across a u joint company that can make any size. Wish me luck😅
 
#4 ·
Update on rear end swap: I got the old rear out and new one in alone. Got the shocks bolted in and leaf springs sit perfect. I do need to get longer u bolts and larger suspension bracket since the 2500 axle is wider in diameter. Yoke length is good but u joint needs to get swapped or converter on the two parts that bolt into yoke
 

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#5 ·
How did this swap work out? I’m about to do the same thing in my 06 Silverado. Got a 408 stroker paired to a preformabuilt lvl3 trans and 3,400 stall. The 9.5 couldn’t hang and I was looking to get a 10.5 swapped in. The drive shaft is the right length? Just needed ubolt and the right ujoint?
 
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