Ok this may be impossible but I thought I would ask. I recently located a Corporate 14 semi floating rear axle. I know it's not a full floater but the price was right.. FREE! An uncle had an 85 3/4 ton Chevrolet just sitting out in a field collecting rust and he said if I could get it off it was mine. Me and my brother lifted the back end with a tractor and he used a torch to cut it free.
ANYway so I have the axle that is in good shape for the rear axle of my truck. Now if I'm not mistaken the front axle is a Dana 44 which also came in 3/4 ton trucks and Suburbans right? So is the difference between my Dana 44 and one of those just the spindles? I mean I'm having to buy a new spindle and everything already right? The reason I'm wanting to go 8 lug is that I have a 3/4 ton Suburban 4x4 and a trailer that takes Chevy 8-lug wheels and I'd like to have commonality between all three. Plus I don't like the gearing in my CUCV and the axle I got out of the field has 3:73 gears. I'm thinking if there is a way I can use that rear axle with a good locker added, and then re-gear my front end and run 8 lug wheels to match the back I'll save myself a lot of money.
Keep in mind I'm not looking to do any heavy off-roading. I like the idea of having a heavy duty rear-end but my real desire as I stated before is commonality, and the better (for me) gear ratio. Plus I'm learning my way around suspensions and this would probably be a good way for me to learn.
So what say you? Is this possible? I'm not wanting to throw money at an axle that I don't truly want but if I can turn it into an axle I want then that will work.