I realize: The more I read up about these American trucks, the more I have/need to learn even more.

I'm afraid to go too far and eventually get a glimpse of tbi™.... And be blind for ever, but that's another Forum.




So if I understand correctly, 14 bolt diff is more than the bolt count. I believe I have a 8.5" 10 bolt diff. So that means, if I want a 14 bolt , I need to change the whole axle?? Cause 14 bolts means the amount of bolts on the cover and has nothing to do with the ring gear, right?

And from what I've been reading, you can get a 9.5" , 10.5" , 11.5" ring gear for the 14 bolt. But will any of those sizes fit in any 14 bolt?

Is the 10.5", the better one? Not strength but over all performance wise?

For a 98 Tahoe, wich axle will fit my application? 2500, 3500, up to what year?

I'm skilled but not "hquick skilled" , so I want to avoid any welding.

I've read that GM improved their axles in 2002...

So many permutations is great for versatility but confuses me...



Last edited by CrazyHoe on Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:18 pm; edited 1 time in total

I have a 9.5" 14 bolt from a 97 K2500 under my tahoe. It is a direct swap, spring perches and shock mounts are in the correct places and it is 6 lug compared to the 10.5" 14 bolt axle which is 8 lug. The 10.5" rear can be converted to 6 lug like James has done but it is more work.

Here is mine on my 2dr tahoe:

check out this site which shows the 'general' profile for a quick ID of
which is which from Ford/GM/etc.

http://coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

It is a bit dated, but okay for them, as it is a K5 site (predecessor to a 2 door Tahoe).

A 14 bolt today has a new version.

Still a 14 bolt pumpkin, but inside they have stuffed in an 11.5" dia ring gear
vs the old 10.5" dia ring gear.

Then the 'older' version 14 bolt. That one is a semi-floater and the pumpkin shape
is different (check the link above and it will show the various profiles).

I'd assume other things beefed up too. Maybe the tube dia and/or wall thickness
has been increased. Bears might be bigger. Axle shaft might be larger in dia.

The guys who are changing out might have those specifics.

AAM (American Axle Manufacture) is the supplier to GM. They rate my 1996 Suburban
era axle assembly at 10K-11K lbs GAWR, while GM rates mine at 6K lbs GAWR. Mine
is the exact same as a 1 ton dually of my year. Only differences I've been able to find
is that the brake cylinders are larger dia bore, otherwise the shoes/drum are the same

http://www.aam.com/index.php?s=45

Thanks for the reply's guys.

Fog is clearing up. The 9.5" option is nice, but I think the full floater 10.5 option 6 lug conversion James did is a better option for me. My truck is a DD for now, but I plan to keep it a long time and use it off road....Big tires...

From an other forum:


There are 3 different 14 bolt axles; the 9.5" semi floater (5, 6 and 8 lug), the 10.5" full floater (8 lug only, 6 lug conversion axles available), the 11.5" full floater found in 2001 up 2500HD and up (8 lug only)

I have a 8-lug 9.5" I am converting over to 6 lug by changing the axles. This will be going into my 99 2-door Tahoe. I am skirting the brake issue by putting on disc brakes at the same time.


There are several different widths of the 10.5" housings, because it was used in vans, duallys and single rear wheel 3500s.

For your 94 you want one from a 88-98 not a new body style truck. The spring perches would be different on the newer rear.



And the Bible:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/index.html

Apparently, when you do the 6 lug conversion on the 10.5, it's not a full floater anymore?

Would a 10.5" 14 bolt axle from a similar generation/year be a direct swap also?

Almost got myself a 14bolt FF for $100.00 today.

Maybe tomorrow if the guy still has it.

He also has the front diff out of a 98 k2500. Also for $100...

So my opinion,

I have 2 GMT400 trucks, My 96 RegCab Short bed has the 14 bolt semi float (9.5) that I yanked from a early 90's lite duty 2500 so it had 6-lug axles already. I popped in a Lunch box locker (true-track) in and I've had no problems with a loose (3500-4000 rpm) converted and sticky tires. its a strong axle. But the brakes are big, heavy and expensive to rebuild so I converted to Disks kinda/sorta of a headache but proved to be a great mod.

my 98 ExtCab Short bed 2500 4x4 has the "Big" 11.5 14 bolt FF, this is a huge axle, same as the 10.5" they are built to take a beating! But again Gigantic brakes, and a bear to work on them because unlike the FF dana 60 or ford 10.25 sterling axle you have to remove the axle shaft on the 14 bolt to remove the drum. when I have a few spare bucks I plan on doing a disk brake kit on this truck also.

If you plan on running bigger than 35's with a locked axle I would run a FF axle on 8-lugs. finding cheaper tire and wheel combos used for 8-lug will be easier and if you are ever in a pinch all older 8-lug wheels will bolt on to this blot pattern. plus if you find a way to break an axle the FF won't leave you stranded.

my 2 cents

Thanks for the info.

I gave the guy a deposit cause the access is blocked by a boat stuck in ice. For $300 I'm guetting a 2500 front frame with all the suspention, brakes and drive train + 14bolt FF with leaf springs...

Me likey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGq15JBBUQw

http://www.solidaxle.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp
Solid Axle makes a hub kit for a six stud FF, with disc brake set up.
This is what I want to do along with a 9 1/4 front diff swap. using the 3/4 ton front axles, and my stock suspension. I just have to relocate the lower mount on the diff, Plus you can make your 9 1/2" SF to a full floater. Here is just one more piece to the puzzle. I want the sway bar for my truck to. Help control body roll with camper on.

This it?

http://www.solidaxle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=54&idcategory=16#details

That link is for a Dana 60, great rear axle but that would require a lot of fab (welding) to get it under your truck, the 14SF or 14FF will from your body style will bolt in. I did my disk conversion on my 9.5 14SF for way less than $1100.

I wanted the 14SF but didn't like the c clip slack for the disk conversion. And since the future goal is ridiculous hp, I guess the 14FF is the way to go..

CrazyHoe wrote:

I wanted the 14SF but didn't like the c clip slack for the disk conversion. And since the future goal is ridiculous hp, I guess the 14FF is the way to go..

I do my wheeling with a 89 K5 blazer on 40" swampers. with a Detroit Locker and a 4 speed stick. its a small block tbi™ but I haven't snapped an axle or broke the diff yet! (I can't tell if that is because tbi™ is being nice to me or if the 14FF is a good axle)

as I expressed before my biggest hate towards the FF is the fact that you have to remove the axle shaft to take the drum off. I plan on doing the disk swap eventually when I have time and spare cash.

This is what i would use.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-Bolt-Chevy-GM-Rear-Disc-Disk-Brake-Conversion-Kit-/130596609157?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e682a1c85#ht_519wt_952

CrazyHoe wrote:

This it?

http://www.solidaxle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=54&idcategory=16#details

http://www.solidaxle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=140&idcategory=11
This link shows the hubs only, I thought I saw a Disc brake set up too. Most of there products are geared for Dana 60 and 44. It wouldn't hurt to email them to get all the facts.



Last edited by Chevy 97 on Sun Mar 11, 2012 1:21 pm; edited 1 time in total

I sent them an email about the hubs.

The 14 bolt hubs are setup for disc brakes.



Matt




SpynTec Industries LLC.

Phone: 234-759-3105

Fax: 234-759-3306



www.solidaxle.com

www.spyntec.com
I just din't ask if they had the disc brake set up.

I sent another e-mail asking if Solid Axle also sold the disc brake set up. I even asked about the E- brake. I asked about a FF conversion kit for the 9.5 14 bolt. I will let you know when I here back during the week. I did not get an answer from Matt at Solid Axle. Just incase he didn't get my e-mail I sent another one. I am very interested in this too, because I am putting in a full floating differential. I also asked if they made the kit for the 9.5" diff to make it into a full floater. Hope fully he emails me back.

I found these hubs.
http://www.cutthroat4x4.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=55

Chevy 97 wrote:

I found these hubs.
http://www.cutthroat4x4.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=55

Awesome find!

http://www.cutthroat4x4.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=18_36&products_id=66&osCsid=9d0383a75f22f1fe212dd4192d1cbec0