How to make a solid 97'

I was hoping that someone might help me. I am wanting a solid axle 4wd Im a chevy guy. If I had a 97 chevy z71 what front axle out of what truck would work. I would like to keep the antilock brakes and probably use a 3/4 or 1 ton axle. I'm thinking cheap so I'd be going to a salvage yard. Also with the changing of the front axle would it be a better idea to find axels from the same brand vehicle(so bolt patterns and gears match)because I know I'll need a driverside diff but are the track widths the same between different brands. Any help would be much appriciated.  

u will have to get one out of a dodge or ford. if u want the bolt patern to be the same u will have to do a 3/4 swap to make all the wheels 8 bolt and its just cooler to have 8 bolt wheels. i not sure about the anti lock.....i dont like anti lock i think it makes it hard to wheel. it will be alot of work because the steering shocks and getting it in the truck will be rather difficult. i think i was reading before somewhere to get a dana 44 out of a 78 or 79 ford truck. thats all i know good luck.  

I just completed a solid axle swap on my 96 tahoe.  And unless you have alota time, and around 3-4 K to spend on it, dont do it.  I used a high pinion ford dana 60 out of an 88 ford f-350 that i got off ebay, unless your super lucky, your not gonna find a dana 60 out in the junkyards.   The swap was definetly worth it for me, I wanted a high truck, and bulletproof axles.   Just make sure your ready to tackle it before you do it.  Also, do ALL the research you can!  OFFROADUNLIMITED.COM has alot of great stuff, and info!     Goodluck