rear axel replacement help

[Faze2183]

well last night i was drivin home and i spun my truck around and such and then boom, i went up on the curb......

well after today i figured out that my rear axel shaft is shot, and same with the drum back plate, and drum, and probly the bearins too.....

well what im wantin to knw should i go with stock replacement and if so do i replace both shafts on just the busted one? and if not stock what should i go with?

1996 chevy k1500, 4x4, 5.7, 10 bolt rear end 8.5'', 30 spline

[badguy in bowtie]

Sometimes you can find a complete rear end in the salvage yards fairly cheap. This is the easiest fix, but you don't know the history of the axle. Rebuilding is more costly but you know it will be new then. If one side broke I would replace both to guarantee the other wont break and leave you on the side of the road somewheres. Either option you chose you have the choice of staying with the same gear ratio or getting one that fits your needs better, if the original ratio didn't. But since its a 4x4 it would be better to stick with the ratio you have unless you plan to change out the front also to match.

[pind]

also make sure that the housing is not bent, this can ruin your whole day. You may not be able to see a bend in it, but it can still be there, measure and be sure. Used housings are fairly cheap.