DRW to SRW

Hi All,

New to this forum and to the square body life in general.

Despite reading through countless threads and "explanations" I can't seem to come up with a straight and to-the-point answer on this subject that it seems many people have asked about. I've used the search bars and have read the "14 Bolt Bible" until exhaustion. I'm not sure what I'm missing.

I've recently purchased a 1986 K20 which is equipped with the 9.5" SF 14-bolt. In my ignorant excitement I bought the first "complete" FF 14-bolt I could find for $100 -- a FF DRW out of a late 70's dually. At least that's what I was told.

According to the research I had done prior to purchasing that rear end I would only need to swap out the existing DRW hubs for SRW hubs. However, upon further research it appears I was way off. It sounds like I'd also have to change axles, drums, and the brake mounting as well?

My questions:
1. Is it possible to get the DRW axle to OEM SRW pickup specs without extensive fabrication?
2. If possible (with or without fab work), what exact parts would be needed to complete that task?
*NOTE - I plan on doing a disc brake conversion regardless of rear end

I appreciate any guidance.

Thanks!

Taylor

I believe the brakes themselves are the same. It just where the flange is welded onto the housing makes it so nothing fits if all you change is the hubs.

But the stock brakes don't matter if you are going to discs. You will need to get caliper brackets that weld to the axle housing, unless anyone now makes a pair that bolt to the c&c rear axle. And then SRW hubs of course.

Since it's out of a dually, you first need to determine if it's a Dana 70 or a 14 bolt out of a chassis cab truck. Either way, the spring and shock mounts will be different.

Here's the SRW set up in my K30. The shocks are opposite of a 3/4 ton and my springs are more inboard. This is why the shocks are inboard of the frame.

I agree, you need to identify the axle. Also, measure and post up the wheel mounting surface width, this will tell a lot about what you have to do.

Craig 85 said:

Since it's out of a dually, you first need to determine if it's a Dana 70 or a 14 bolt out of a chassis cab truck. Either way, the spring and shock mounts will be different.

Here's the SRW set up in my K30. The shocks are opposite of a 3/4 ton and my springs are more inboard. This is why the shocks are inboard of the frame.

You must be registered for see images attach

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Based on that I suppose that the rear I purchased is not off a dually then. After more measuring the shock mounts are in the same place and at the same distance apart from each other when compared to the SF rear already in the truck. The leaf spring perches are the same distance apart as well -- 40in.

That would indicate a SRW axle right?

But I have inboard hubs?

Pics
Pics
Pics

So now I'm confused. Let's make sure we're comparing apples to apples.

I went out and measured my K30. The center lines on my spring perches and come in at 40.5". 3/4 tons should be 42.5". The shock hangers on the DRW axle (if it is a DRW axle) you bought should look like my picture above, which are opposite of 1/2 and 3/4 tons.

Here's a pretty good link with measurements for the various 14 bolts.

If you are describing that the spring perches and shock mounts are in the same locations and measurements as the SF 14 bolt in your truck, you could have a 3/4 ton axle that someone may have installed inboard hubs. The link describes people will do this when installing a 14 bolt on a narrower truck or rock crawler.

https://www.roundforge.com/articles/14-bolt-axles-differences-between-srw-drw-and-cc/

Craig 85 said:

So now I'm confused. Let's make sure we're comparing apples to apples.

I went out and measured my K30. The center lines on my spring perches and come in at 40.5". 3/4 tons should be 42.5". The shock hangers on the DRW axle (if it is a DRW axle) you bought should look like my picture above, which are opposite of 1/2 and 3/4 tons.

Here's a pretty good link with measurements for the various 14 bolts.

If you are describing that the spring perches and shock mounts are in the same locations and measurements as the SF 14 bolt in your truck, you could have a 3/4 ton axle that someone may have installed inboard hubs. The link describes people will do this when installing a 14 bolt on a narrower truck or rock crawler.

https://www.roundforge.com/articles/14-bolt-axles-differences-between-srw-drw-and-cc/

Click to expand...

I double checked. The FF rear end spring perches measure 42.5" center to center. Also, the shock mounts on the FF are definitely in the same place as the SF in the truck.

If I had to bet I'd say that's the case. The previous owner specifically told me, "I only had it for the axles when I had my rock crawler." When I had asked him what it came out of he couldn't tell me for sure.

All that said, will disc brakes and new/SRW hubs be all that I need now?

Are you sure you have dually hubs? If you have the wider spring spacing, the brakes wouldn't mount up with dually hubs. Probably not even clear the springs.

If only we had good pics and a WMS measurement to help identify the axle...

.

bucket said:

Are you sure you have dually hubs? If you have the wider spring spacing, the brakes wouldn't mount up with dually hubs. Probably not even clear the springs.

Click to expand...

nvrenuf said:

If only we had good pics and a WMS measurement to help identify the axle...

Click to expand...

Sorry guys. I bought the thing disassembled. It would need reassembled completely to get that info correct?

Pics of the disassembled axle can still be very helpful in identification. You can still get a measurement of the relevant things that are on the axle housing

A picture of the hubs would work too. With or without the drums pinned on. If the perches are still the original placement, it's a SRW axle without a doubt.