hi i have a 1997 chevy tahoe and am wondering if there is a 12 bolt axle that will bolt in i need a stronger axle then the 10 bolt  

You will gain nothing in this swap. It is kinda pointless. 91 and later 10 bolt have bigger axles and pinion on 10 bolt is stronger than truck 12 bolt pinion (bigger diameter shaft)There were two 12 bolts and the one in car was stronger than one used in truck (the opposite of what you would kinda expect) If you really want a upgrade, look for a 14 bolt 9.5 SF axle as it can be had in 6 and 8 lug flavors. It is about the equal of a D60 and well above a 10/12 bolt.  

thanks snoman but will a 14 bolt rear end bolt up to my tahoe or do i have to make modifications to it  

If you find one from a 88 to 99 P/U it will basically bolt right in. If you find one with 5 (there were a few in 2wd trucks) or 8 lugs you only need to swap axle shafts.  

alright well i have a 14 bolt full floater 8 lug but the splines are diff on the axle shafts so idk what to do do i go out and buy axle shafts to fit it ?or what HELP PLZ!!!!  

had a guy that deals wiht rear ends only tell me i could swap my 14bff rear for a 14bsf or a 10 bolt what should i do  ....or should i just build up my 10 bolt that i have now everyone is telling me something different and now im not sure what to do all i know is that the carrier on my 10 bolt was in a million pieces and the ring and pinion gear were all in ok shape  

the 9.5" 14 bolt semi floater is the diff you can get w/six lugs or just swap out the 8 lug axles..

the 10 is fine if your not running or plan on larger than stock tires  

mudb8-.:
the 9.5" 14 bolt semi floater is the diff you can get w/six lugs or just swap out the 8 lug axles..

the 10 is fine if your not running or plan on larger than stock tires

Yes the 14 bolt 9.5 is not to be confused with 14 bolt 10.5. It is easy to tell then apart without even looking underneath truck. The 10.5 has big axle hubs stick out several inches from flange and 6 bolt on end holding axle shaft to it, the 9.5 has neither but both have 14 bolts on cover. There is no easy axle shaft swap to change lug pattern on a 10.5.  

well im looking to do a 9 inch lift 6 suspension 3 body and put a set of 35 bfg mud terrains on it in the near future this is a minor set back with my vrs (* vehicle recovery system*) cant recover any vehicle's with a blown rear end now can i ...and unfortunatly i spent 2 hours driving and tearing out an axle b4 it came to me that the 14b full floating rear ends 8 lug axles are larger than the 14b semi 6 lug axles so now im stuck with an axle i cant use ha well anyway found a 14b semifloater for 275 :/  

Better get some serious axle gears to or you are going to have a blown tranny or Tcase next.  

some of the 9.5 14 bolt 8 lug axles have 13" brakes.
swaping to six lug axle shafts w/ those 'll need backing plates also.  

I am sure with a little searching or engineering you could keep 13 inch drums with 6 lugs because you would want them anyway with bigger tires  

you could also trash the crappy drum brakes and bolt on some disc brakes. theres a web site called rough stuff that sell disc brake conversions for the 14 bolts.  

alright stopped being cheap just picked up a 14 bolt semi-floater with 9.5 ring gear haven't decided on gearing yet probably 4.10 4.88 new locker diff ill post some picks of the old axle and carrier damage and the new *** later i have to go install it now 35 mud terrains on a/r rims 9 inch lift in 2 weeks parts are on order thanks for eveyrones help