Front axle changes

Can I put older style straight axles in my housing with the vacuum pod setup for engaging the 4 wheel drive? If so would I have to remove the vacuum setup and make a block off plate? I believe the axle I am referring to is 1985 and up and want to use my 83 axles. Thanks. Greg

The oil seal for the long shaft is in a different spot. Not sure if the newer housing is macined for the inner seal on the old shaft.

Could of course just do a permanent lock changeover on the cad system.

You can swap the whole axle easy as long as ratios match.

I was hoping to switch to a 3.23 gear but don't want to use the cad system since my truck doesn't have the vacuum setup. I might just have to swap the gears out from the housings which was my worst case scenario or just keep the 3.55's. I never thought the seal would be the difference. I'm going to put an 8 3/4 in the rear so I have 2 choices here. Thanks.

Locking the CAD is about as simple as falling off a wet log.