Starting my axle swap 1989 burb to 1986 k10

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VAL

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VAL
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1986
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K10 SILVERADO
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5.7
I finally got some axles off a 1989 Suburban, 3.73 gears. Here's some pics.
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Gonna get em all cleaned up, and I wanna put some good paint on them.
Anybody got any recommendations?
 
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VAL

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5.7
Oven cleaner works wonders on thick ass grease and oil. The numbers on the axle we under a 3/16" blanket of greasy muck. A few spays, let is sit 10 min, and it melted off.
Does anybody know where I can find info on the axle numbers?
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Boone83K10

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the numbers you really want to find will be on the front of the passenger side tube. they are stamped into the tube, they can be "scratched" off pretty easy since they look hand punched to me.... although you already know they gear ratio but it will tell you a little more.
 

Driver4r

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Quite the assortment of tires you got with them XD.
And nice cleanup.
 

HotRodPC

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Looking like Eaton Gov Lok rear axle.

You'll sure like that 3.73 ratio.
 

Driver4r

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HotRodPC

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I miss my 4.11's. ******* gas milage.....

What do you mean about gas mileage? IIRC, you went from 4.10's to some 3.08 BS huh? Yeah, I'd miss my 4.11s too.

I always missed my 4.56's in the 64 GMC except when on the freeway and listening to the motor scream.
 

Driver4r

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****, Highway screaming is the best part, aside from the Imediate Launches/burnouts :D .
I LOVED hearing the engine at 3200-3500.
When i get the lift on and 35's, im looking at gearing to 4.88s with an OD. But Hey, we can dream. LOL

But i have to admit, the 3.08's have their good side. Highway is 2100-2500, knocked off 1k.
 

VAL

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Quite the assortment of tires you got with them XD.
And nice cleanup.

The guy I got these from, didn't want the tires and wheels, So I scored 3 chrome wheels with 33's and one Rally with a 235/60/15.
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VAL

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Looking like Eaton Gov Lok rear axle.

You'll sure like that 3.73 ratio.

I shure hope so, everytime I drive my truck I kinda feel like my tranny is really hurtin', especially around town driving(stop & go). Not to mention that I got no balls for launch.
Hey Hotrod, do these gov locks require a special lube with additive?
 

VAL

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Well, the rear axle is getting there slowly, I'm gonna put some paint on them soon. Kinda leaning towards a gunmetal hammered dark grey. Anybody have any suggestions as to which paint will last the longest?
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Driver4r

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I shure hope so, everytime I drive my truck I kinda feel like my tranny is really hurtin', especially around town driving(stop & go). Not to mention that I got no balls for launch.
Hey Hotrod, do these gov locks require a special lube with additive?

i ran 85/140 gear lube in mine.
 

VAL

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The rear diff is almost done.
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Driver4r

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Are you going to clear coat it also?

And if you REALLY want it to look nice, get a black powdercoated aluminum cover and put chrome hex head Bolts in it to hold it on.
 

VAL

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Engine Size
5.7
Yeah, I'm gonna clear coat them too. Thats a good Idea about the black cover and the chrome bolts, I'm gonna look online for one. Thanks Driver!
I've been doing the clean-up on this rear axle for three days now, I finally got the paint on it today. I'm gonna get the rear buttoned up and installed, I'm itching to see what the difference with the 3.73's is going to be. Then I'll start on the front.
When I first started this project, I didn't realize it was gonna be so time consuming. My girlfriend just gave me a divorce this afternoon. I've been out in the garage 16hours a day since Thursday.
 

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