Posted by 97 k-1500 on November 13, 04 at 23:15:23:
In Reply to: 96 K1500 to 99 C1500 rear end locker swap out. posted by migra man on November 12, 04 at 08:22:49:
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By swap, if you mean exchange the rear ends or guts of the rear ends between vehicles, I would say no. Unless you are sure the gears coming out of the 4x4 are the same ratio as the one that is being put back into the 4x4. If they are not, you are going to break something when the 4wd is engaged as the front and rear driveshafts will be turning at different RPMs.I think Trav is correct about the shims IIRC the shims are used to correctly set up the gears within the rear axle housing and are used to correct for manufacturing tolerances between the gear set and housing. If you are getting a doner rear from a 4X4 and putting it into a 2wd I am not sure the leaf spring brackets are the same on both vehicles (size, position, and angles. Also,I believe the C1500 has 10.5 in brakes if it comes from a PU. but 11.25 in if coming from a K1500 Sub or Tahoe. Axles would also be different 5 lugs vs 6 lugs and maybe splines, lengths and diameters too. A good wrecking yard counterperson or rear axle builder would be lots of help. If the ratio changes you would also need to re program the computer to correct the speedo, ABS etc.