Diff yoke compatibility question

[Christian Nelson]

Hey y'all, I am finally getting around to working on pulling parts off my donor truck for an LS/LT swap on my 84 4x4.

I pulled the transfer case, and tranny off donor, I will be re-using the 4 speed from my old truck, and transfer case.

I was noticing the drive shaft is quite abit beefier than the one I have for my 84. I'd like to use it. I've also noted most reccomend this as well. They specify using a special adapter ujoint to make it work with the older axles.

Here's where my particular monkey wrench is thrown in.

I noticed that the yokes, and the keepers, and bolts for the ujoints on the newer truck were also substantially heavier duty.

My 84 has 1/2 ton axles, which I assume are 10 bolt. They came from a Suburban Deisel, with 3.40 axle ratios. I like that ratio for highway, I think, so I want to keep them. I also have a set of 3.73 I can swap out if I find I am lacking power (doubt it)...

Looking around, I see that the 2000 donor truck I have uses 8.6" 10 bolt diff, and my older axles are 8.5.

All the compatibility stuff I read is about the axles in the tubes being 30 spline, or 28..

What I want to know, is are the pinion yokes compatible? I'd like to pull them off, and put them on my older axles..

Anyone try this? Are the pinion splines the same?

Thanks!

 

[Christian Nelson]

Huh, no one has done this before? I woulda thought someone here would know this right off hand.

 

[AuroraGirl]

i have a 78 and 79 10 bolt i can send pics of, but i wouldnt be pulling it out

 

[bucket]

This has come up in the past I think. I'm thinking there's differences in the seal size or the size of the pinion shaft itself.

 

[Big _Betsy_Red]

interesting we cant find info on the corporate axles from chevy. I'm going to do a little more research.