I'm swapping up to a better rear axle assembly. The truck is an '06 Sierra 1500 WT, 2wd, std. cab, long box. It has a 4.3L V6, 4L60E, and 3.23:1 10-bolt. It has stock steel 17" 6-lug wheels on 10-ply LT245/70R17E tires. It is for vacation use. It does okay hauling the 16-foot camper trailer, but we also have a slide-in camper, the kind with a bed above the cab of the pickup. This past summer I loaded that, and drove it 8 miles to the scales. 7,400# is 1,200# too heavy, but the 2500s were rated to 7,700#, so I knew what to do. No, not trade trucks. Especially since having the camper on there had no effect at all on the front ride height. I measured and re-measured.
So yesterday I got a 14-bolt rear axle assembly from my local branch of LKQ Home, for $500. It has 84,000 miles on it. For $100 more, I coulda gotten one with 75,000 miles. I chose 4.10:1 gearing, since they weren't listing any with 4.56:1 gears. I was expecting the 8-lug pattern, but wasn't sure about the brakes. I got discs, but my truck came with drums. The axle is from an '03, so I'm expecting the spring pads and shock mounts to be in the correct places, and the overall width to be very similar to the 10-bolt.
The reason for this thread is to detail how I resolve the issues of different bolt patterns, and different brakes. I expect to finish this thread by July 4, 2010.

 

 

Update: The bolt pattern issue is resolved: I'll just carry 2 spares. Really not that much of a downside to it.

 

 

maybe you could just swap out the front spindle and hub for the 3/4 ton stuff and have 8 lug all the way around.

im still kinda confused as to why bother though, its a v6 and your using it to tow?

 

the v6 has plenty of power to tow. Actually, I'd bet on it towing far better than the 4.8.

 

Your thread title says 10.5" axle...I thought that the 14 bolts were a 9.5" axle

 

The 9.5" 14 bolts are a semi-floater design whereas the 10.5" 14 bolt is a full floater design. Most go with the 9.5" SF 14-bolt for their swaps, but to each their own..

 

Right...

 

I would think a simple solution would be to order a set of 6 to 8 lug wheel adaptors, bolt them on and fly. Might make the front end a little wider, but everything will looks the same.

As to using a v6 to tow, to each their own. Some people don't mind taking their time. I particularly don't mind taking my time, but I like having the power on tap when I need it.

My old 350 makes peak tq around 2500 RPM. I generally just let it take its time and don't push the motor hard. I am looking into building stronger motor for it next year. Hoping to get the old 190 HP mule up to somewhere around 350 HP. Even had a few thoughts about yanking the stroker out of the malibu and sticking it in the truck.