I bought a 2000 1500 5.2 5spd 4wd. Front axle pinion was leaking and had a lot of play so I swapped over an axle from a 99 not realizing all the differences with brakes and control arms. Anyways I swapped the spindles over from The 2000 and luckily the ball joints fit, drilled out the control arm brackets and now everything is cherry with a whole new front end. I was greasing all my ujoints when I discovered my rear is leaking from what looks to be the pinion nut area, also the the whole pinion has a lot of vertical and horizontal movement. I found a 98 axle on CL with 4.10 gears that is in good condition for cheap. I've been wanting to go 4.10 gears for my 285 75 16 tires anyways. Will the 98 swap over no problem or should I bite the bullet and rebuild the ones I have with 4.10s. My mechanic quoted 425 labor plus parts for both axles rebuilt.

 

Is that a complete rebuild? All new bearings, etc? IF so, it's not a bad price. You are looking at likely close to a grand in parts though. But, if you put a 4.10 rear in the back, you are going to have to change gears in the front anyway........ Might be further ahead just rebuilding what you have.

 

Complete rebuild. Parts are about 500 for both gears sets, bearing kits and seals. The used axle supposedly has been rebuilt and has Trac loc but who knows the true condition, he also has matching front axle with 4.10 but it has a bad pinion bearing too. 400 obo for both. I also have a buddy who's a gm master mech and said he'd help me set preload and back lash so I could the swap myself and save the 425. I swapped gears on my old dakota front end 6k miles no problems

 

If you have a bud willing to help with gear setup, that actually has a clue, I would definitely go that route. Then, you know exactly what you have.

 

The guy I had install my true tracs + gears in my axles charged $300 per axle so you're getting a good deal.

The 98 has a different spring setup in the drums and the drive shafts u-joint hooks up to bands like the front instead of the big plate that's on the 2000. I think they use a different u-joint for the rear at the axle.