Hi, I hope someone can give a bit of advice. I've got a 99 Silverado ECSB 2wd. I'm wanting to swap to a 14 bolt rear end mainly to run better gears, but also for a beefier axle. I found a 14 bolt 10.5 with 4.10/G80 from a 04 2500HD for cheap. Only towing will be a uhaul 6x12 enclosed trailer. Probably won't exceed my GVWR. Not racing or doing anything crazy. "Maybe" burnouts, LOL. I did a V6 to V8 swap with stock 5.3 and stock 4L80e, hence the desire to regear. Truck has those front lifting spindles and a rear block currently. Just looks leveled with some LT265/75/R16s. What are my options?

1. I would like to just swap the front to a 8 lug and run some PYOs I already have, but I haven't read anyone doing this. I went to look at a 2500LD at the junkyard and the control arm mounts are on top of the frame, whereas my 1500 has the mounts on the side of the frame. I didn't look at the knuckles though. I'm guessing a 1500HD 8 lug is the same? I know the 8 lugs have 4 bolts for the hubs, where as 6 lug have 3 bolts. I think on the GMT400 the control arms from the 2500/3500 will actually bolt up to the 1500, but it doesn't seem the case on the GMT800, correct?

2. Other option is to run 8 lug to 6 lug adapters on the rear. Keep my 6 lug wheels. Cheap and easy, no?

3. 6 lug custom axles? Or hubs? I've read some threads here on doing this, but guys seem like they were machinists! Are there any companies/individuals that still sell these custom axles? Both my 10 bolt and the 14 bolt are disc, so don't need any kind of brake adapters. I think I saw a company selling a kit, but it was meant for an older 14 bolt with drums.

My skillsets are parts swapping and welding. No machining capabilities. I also plan to swap to a 4 leaf or 5 leaf when I swap the axle BTW...Any help is much appreciated.

 

You can find a 14 bolt 9.5" that has 8 lug axles, swap the axle to 6 lug axles and 6 lug rotors and run it. Can also be found under 06 2500s.

 

Just in case: Was your answer not in here?

Official 14 Bolt 9.5 SF Truck Thread - PerformanceTrucks.net Forums

 

Front knuckles wont swap, directly. Unit bearings wont swap. Control arms wont swap

I *think* someone did at one time put 2500 knuckles on a 1500, but the knuckles are different geo and Im sure the truck drove like crap, but he didnt tell us whether it did or didnt. He also didnt show pics of his work, just said "hey I did this." That forum has since been pulled down by the owners, and thats all the info I have on that. Sorry

I have a 14 bolt 9.5 out back, and adapters in the front, for now

 

I've been looking at those threads, but have not seen a swap on the 10.5 full float axle...

My DD is a 6.0/2500 Suburban with the 9.5". It's got a leak on the pinion and need to fix it at some point. Maybe I can yank it out (fix the leak on it) for the Silverado and use the 10.5" on the Suburban? That's a lot of work though. Both are the same 4.10/G80.

 

Wow, that's bad$$$! I've been wanting to see a 8 lug Tahoe, LOL.

That looks like a 4x4...How did you lift the front to clear the tires? Torsion bar cranked? I'm not sure if front adapters will work for me on a 2wd. My front tires are already pushed out a bit compared the rear. I think it's because of the lifting spindles I have on it?

 

Its spaced in the rear, keyed/cranked in the front. The adapters are 2.5" wide, so the front is +5" to a stock width front. She is 4wd, the tires are 32.8", I call them "metric 33s".

I am currently planning and acquiring parts to solid swap it with an AAM 9.25 from a dodge *puke*. Next ride height will be about 2" higher, front axle will get pushed forward 3-4" and I will be running 35s on H2 wheels. The PYOs have had a long run, probably more than 60k. But they wont clear the front brakes of the new axle

 

I've put my 9.5 Semi float through hell with 35s and a built 6.0/4l80e. I haven't had a problem yet. Just in case you needed encouragement to stay on the simple cheaper path lol

 

Well, I got a 2KXX 9.5" 6 lug with 3.73s/G80 for the swap instead. Looks like spring perch dimension is also 49" but WMS is 1" wider at 69 1/2".

I'm keeping my 16" stock rims. Hopefully it will clear. I think I read somewhere here the 17" minimum rim was related to the front calipers only on the GMT900 and later?

Other difference is the 2KX has independent rear wheel speed sensors in each side. Won't run those.

Has anyone done this?

 

Just for reference it was posted that 8 lug 2500 knuckles won't swap onto the 1500 arms. Thats not true. They will bolt on, but there is not enough adjustment in the upper control arm. I am not sure if the offset bushings would correct that issue though.