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Axle Swap: "foolie" To 1 Ton "full Float"


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Finally got the chance to update my axle swap. My 1979 Galavan on 1978 chassis came equipped with the 5 lug, semi-float foolie axle. My toy is only 16' long, with a deck extension bring my total weight to 4200# with me in it.The rear dual wheels were unsafe, not to mention the increase in tolls while traveling. Wanting to get away from the duals and being a GM truck guy, I decided to install a 14 bolt 10.5 ring gear 8 lug full floating 1 ton axle. The axle width o/s tire to o/s tire was 74" on the "foolie" dual , and 74" on the single wheel GM. A perfect swap. The GM also came standard with 4.10.1 gearing, same as the Toyota.

I did have to upgrade to15" rear wheels as there are no 8 lug 14" GM rear wheels made. I installed 195/70R15 load range D tires which are close in diameter to my 195/75R14 Hankook tires currently installed.

I will attempt to upload, in chronological order, the pictures from start to finish.

Trying to organize in order. First to last. 

 

 

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Edited by fred heath
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That ought to buy you some peace of mind. That corporate GM axle is probably one of the best things GM ever did. Nice looking little RV. I saw a few Dana 60s get put into Toyota RVs back in the early 80s. Never a GM corporate though. I think those Dana 60s had to be narrowed which created a lot of extra work.

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Very nice looking rig. Like the Mercedes hub caps. Thanks for posting the pictures.

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That should work Fred now you can put the piano you always wanted in the back!

Haha Tim. If I'm going to do a project, I'm going to do it right the first time.

Hmmm where to find a piano. :-)

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Very nice looking rig. Like the Mercedes hub caps. Thanks for posting the pictures.

I have 5, 14" ss hubcaps if you have any interest.

PM me for more info.

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If you mean GM "SS" 14" hubcaps, I've got five of them here too. They don't seem to be worth much anymore. At least not on Craigslist. I had them advertised twice for $10 each, and no takers. I've seen them bring $50 each at shows 15-20 years ago. These either came off my 64 Chevelle SS or my 65 Impala SS (can't remember).

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Sorry JD, I was using ss for stainless steel. My hubcaps are 14" off a late 70's Mercedes . They look really "retro" on the older homes.

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  • 1 month later...

I like your rear bumper setup!

Thanks.

It came equipped when I purchased the MH.

I did a lot of modifications to get it to look the way is does now.

Originally it had a swinging gate in front of the rear door. The spare was mounted to the gate. Only problem was getting out with the gate closed. Not enough swing room for the rear door. That and it had some funky 1970's trailer lights attached to a sheet metal wrap around panel.

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  • 3 years later...
On 9/29/2015 at 10:23 AM, fred heath said:

Thanks.

It came equipped when I purchased the MH.

I did a lot of modifications to get it to look the way is does now.

Originally it had a swinging gate in front of the rear door. The spare was mounted to the gate. Only problem was getting out with the gate closed. Not enough swing room for the rear door. That and it had some funky 1970's trailer lights attached to a sheet metal wrap around panel.

Anyone else think this is the best axle swap thread on this forum? Great job, Fred... if you're around...

-Neil

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  • 5 months later...
  • 10 months later...

I am preparing to make this swap on my ‘78 Sunrader which currently has the G082 axle. Can anyone give me some more info on what the cost of getting the driveshaft made was? Also, is there noticeable difference in clearance at the diff housing? I’ve read that the 14bolt axle has a super huge pumpkin...

 

I have not sourced an axle yet, so anyone who may have something laying around that would work for me, please let me know! :) I am not set on which route to take yet, but being as my rig is small like Fred’s Galavan, I think this is the right move. For the record, I don’t mind not having disc brakes but SRW is ideal. I do like the idea of keeping the same tire width that the foolies have (or close to it). 

 

thanks guys & gals

 

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  • 2 months later...

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