Hey guys new to K5's and off road trucks in general. I just bought a 80 K5 with a 12 bolt rear that needs an entire new housing. What years and model of trucks can i pull a direct replacement just want to bolt in and go. I like the idea of a 14 bolt but from what I understand takes a little bit of welding and modifying. Thanks in advance

 

10bolts out of the newer k5s will bolt right in. my 84 k5 blazer had the front and rear axles out of a 77 k20 pick up truck.

as far as the 14bolt goes, someone correct me if im wrong, but you will need a 14bolt out of a 3/4ton truck for the perches to line up. i know the 1tons are different as i stole a set of axles out of a 80s 1ton to put in my 85 k5 blazer. the front dana60 matched up but the shock mounts and spring perches had to be cut and moved.

the only problem you might run into is different sized u-joints when going to different years. that 84 with the 77 axles i had to run a goofy universal u-joint with two different sized caps on it

also 14bolts are gonna be 8 lugs if you go with the full floating axles. so the easiest swap in will be a gm 10 bolt, just gonna maybe have a issue with the ujoints

 

Sounds good I appreciate it. Hopefully i'll have er driven soon