How close is that price to a new/stronger rearend?

 

About $1,000 short. And I'd have to deal with swapping out the 8-lugs for 6-lugs.

 

GM made a 6 lug 14bolt SF 9.5" rear end.

I think this is the range: 1988 - 2000 GM 9.5" rg 33spline 14bolt

 

Here ya go, old post from Yelo:

Yelo
NBS Z71's with the towing package have the 6-lug SF 14 bolt, 2500LD's are 8-lug but the 6-lug 14-bolt axles swap right in

also, ALL 88-98 2500's had the 6-lug SF 14-bolt and all you'd need to do to make those work is swap everything from the axle-housing out over to the new stuff (backing plate, rotors, etc)

 

other misc data, I'm thinking straight bolt up...

Axle Shaft Chev/GMC 1500 & 2500 Series, 14 Bolt 9.5" Semi-Float L/R 6 Lug 33 1/8" 33 Spl. 1988-98
$109.95
15551928
"Axle Shaft Chev/GMC 1500 & 2500 Series, 14 Bolt 9.5"" Semi-Float L/R 6 Lug 33 1/8"" 33 Spl. 1988-98 "

 

Yeah, my problem is I'm NBS....don't know what it would take to make this happen.

Can you link to Yelo's post?

Hopefully James B. will drop in again, and let me know if I can do a straight swap-in/bolt-up to something better than a 10-bolt, but with 6 lugs...

 

Unfortunately my bread and butter is the old body style. I guess that really questions the appropriatness of my presence on a forum who's namesake clearly establishes a lack of relevance to my knowledge and/or vehicle! lol

ANYWAY...
I would think that the best axle to start with would be that from a heavy half-ton, AKA 1500HD. All those trucks should have the 6.0 which gets the 9.5 rear unless it's a 2500HD. It's going to be 8-lug but any machine shop can press the studs out, fill, and redrill the holes for the 5.5"x6 pattern. Or, as has already been said, swap for aftermarket stronger axles anyway - that would be even better. Being from a 1500 everything should line up.
I think it would be best to avoid the OBS stuff as sorces for a NBS truck in this case, I think it would be more of a hassle than it's worth. Consider the issues of drum vs. disc brakes, lack of ABS sensors, spring perch palcement and angle, shock mount placement and angle. All these things can be overcome, but at significant cost.
If you have the cash and want to never have to think about the rear end ever again there is always the option of having a place like Currie Enterprises build you a custom 9" that will bolt right up. Drivetrain Direct might be able to do that for a 10.5" 14-bolt too - yes, 6-lug!

 

Dang grippy, looks like you traded in your Fire Truck a little too soon...

 

Actually, the 4L65E would probably go first. I think I'll just do the 4.10's and Eaton Posi in this rear for now. Then when the first thing blows, just do a 4L80E and 14-bolt swap. By that time, I'll be ready for a 3.3L-Whippled 408 anyway...

 

That's a great price. Not OEM gears, though, right? I'm getting the GM/AAM gears, which are quieter and more expensive.