hey guys,
i've got an '86 k5 that has already had a 14 bolt rear swapped in and it still has the stock 10 bolt in the front and my questions are: 1.) Is this stock front axle a dana 44? How do I tell? 2.) Is there any type of conversion I can do to go from the 6 lug to the 8 lug in the front without swapping the whole axle?
Any help would be great.

The 10 bolt has a round cover and the D44 has a diamond shaped cover.

10 Bolt:

http://store02.prostores.com/motorchromecom/catalog/703store.jpg

D44:

http://www.ringpinion.biz/images/Dana%2044%20Thick%20cover.JPG


For your 8 lug conversion, just nab the parts off a 3/4 ton pick-up (they were available with both the 6 or 8 lug depending on rating and rear axle).

ok.....now when you say nab the parts.....what parts would i need to get exactly? spindles, knuckles, hubs?

Wheel hub on out, I believe the spindle is the same.

Spindles are different on the 8 lug, larger. Swap everything from the spindles out.