Has any done this swap or have any informatino about this. I'd like to put a 14bff in the back for towing in '96 1500 but would like to change the front out to match.

Thanks,
Justin Ray

I dont know the answer but I bet my buddy MR.http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/images/top_search.gif does.

Umm....Get a wrecked K2500 or K3500 and swap your body on it? I dunno, the eight lug front axle is way bigger than the 1/2 tonner, and it mounts a little different, similar, but different. I've got a K3500 and have never owned or paid much attention to the 1500's so I can't be certain. Best bet would be to get the whole front suspension and start measuring frame mounts on your truck vs the 3/4, after all that's said and done you'd prolly be better off swapping in a solid axle or switching to a different truck. OR just tow with a 6-lug SF 14 bolt, not bullet proof, but decent.

Actually, I just remembered that there's a guy on this board turning down 14 bolt FF hubs for six lug, you could go that route.

I dont know the answer but I bet my buddy MR. does.

well, after searching, and looking through web pages for over an hour and not finding the info I needed I thought I'd post a question on, get this, a message board.



Actually, I just remembered that there's a guy on this board turning down 14 bolt FF hubs for six lug, you could go that route.

A buddy of mine did this on one of his trucks, I origonally thought about going this route, and may end up doing it.....however I personally like factory wheels (if I went eight lug, it get stock 3/4 ton wheels) and if I stay 6 lug, I'd really like to keep the stock wheels, but after you turn the 14 bolt hubs down, they will still only fit the larger hole of the aftermarkt wheels, so I would need to machine out the centers of the stock wheels.

Justin

Why cant you just bolt up a 3/4 ton spindle and rotor with 8 lugs?

If you could bolt the eight lug uni bearing and hub to a 1/2 ton knuckle, or replace the 1/2 ton knuckle with the eight lug knuckle, you'd still need a CV shaft with the large spline outer to match the hub, and the small joint on the inner to match the 1/2 ton front axle, Damn IFS's anyway, it's a five minute job on a Corp 10 bolt front or Dana 44.

It's probably not the easiest, or the cheapest way... Swap in a one ton solid front axle.

a buddy of mine works in a salvage yard and has a customer that has a pre-99 1500 and is converting to 8-lug, came in and bought new upper and lower control arms, and knuckle hub assembley....because the 1/2 ton ball joints are smaller than the 3/4. My question is: are the cradles the same spacing, I've been told the 3/4 and ton ifs frames are different on ifs trucks? Also, like 4banger said.....what about the cv axle, is it larger? more splines? etc....


Justin

P.S. eventually I'd like to convert to solid front axle, but now the truck is my daily driver/tow rig, and I'd like to keep mods to a minimum and the ride as good as possible.

Hell yeah go for the solid axle and forget about it. That's what I'm doing. Just waint for tires, wheels, and brake lines. It's tough working on a college kids budget. I just need to scam some bitches out of their beer money