on half price day at the local pic n pull, I can buy rearends for $60 though I gotta pull it myself....

 

thats awesome i found a used rearend a guy i know $200 never did a rearend before how hard are they? im sure pretty easy the only thing im worried about is the rust under my truck and getting bolts undone

 

Brake line, e brake cable, u joint straps, and u bolts and it should be out. Get new u bolts if they're crusty, it'll make reinstall easier. Shouldn't take you more than a good day. Worst part, in my opinion, is bleeding the brakes.

 

awesome thanks alot guys how much does gear ratio matter? in swaping out rearends?

 

Gear ratio does not matter if it is a 2wd, but if it is 4wd then you have to have matching ratios.

 

I do rearends a lil different no need to bleed or to screw with E brake cables
I take teh axles out then unbolt the backing plates then bolt the same backing plates to the replacement rearend just gotta take the bolt holding the line to the rearend and unbend the tabs for the lines; then I use bungees to hold the backing plates (or a couple buddies) up outta the way so I can swap rearends. I always replace the axle seals when I swap a rearend so the axles gotta come out anyway...
U bolts? I have a quick and easy fix for them... a TORCH and new bolts going back in since they usually snap or strip anyhow

 

This sounds like the best way to swap axles. If you had to start messing with brake lines I would worry about having to replace a bunch of lines if the fittings are a bit corroded.

Plus being an axle you're just pulling from a wrecker, without seeing it in action, you'll want to check the bearings and replace the seals as said, last thing you'd want is a leaking seal forcing you to take your axle apart again once it is all back together.

 

Wel a buddy and me started the swap we had about 2 hours of free time. Cut the U bolts those were a pain. took the old one out stripped everything off the new on and restarted switched over the brakes. lucky the brake lines on the truck were fairly new that help. The flang yoke had a bolt broke off in it so were going to swap thos out and hopefully put it in the next day or two. I paided $180 for an axle that came with everything on it brakes drums brake lines and shocks.... but everything off mine was nicer