14 Bolt in a m1009

[motormayhem]

I may be able to trade/get my hands on a 14 bolt out of a '93 Silverado 3/4 ton. The guy says it is the latest and greatest in the 14 bolts with lots more webbing for structural strength. I still need to measure to make sure, but I believe since it is 3/4 ton it will bolt in. Anybody have an opinion about the 90's 14 bolts good/bad what? Also what would be a fair price for a complete drum to drum setup? And finally how can I tell the full floater from the semi-floater?

Thanks,
Miles

 

[StrykerPez]

I had a 97 with the 14 bolt. I ran at least 500 hp through it towing and offroading and I think it was the one thing on the truck that DIDN'T break.

 

[papercu]

how can I tell the full floater from the semi-floater

This may help,
Rear Axle Semi-Floating and Full-Floating - Off-Road Magazine
Depending on the gearing and type anywhere from 400 to a 1000.00 per axle according to the salvage yard. Wayne

 

[droz]

GM 14 Bolt Axle - 10.5" ring gear, full floating axle - CHUCK'S CHEVY TRUCK PAGES.COM

if its a semi float its going to be stronger then the 10 bolt that comes with blazer. also with the 14 bolt if its a semi float they come with either 6 lug or 8 lug set ups. and i think the spring pads are slightly further apart then on the 10 bolt that stock on the blazer but im not 100 percent sure on that

 

[Cucvnut]

on the left semi floater 14 bolt c clip style axle on the right is a full floating 14 bolt it has a hub where you can take out the axle with the tire still on the truck

 

[davo727]

I have a 93 C2500 with the 9.5 inch semi floater 14 bolt. 3.43 ratio. A million times better than a 10 bolt for sure. I have 240K miles on mine.

At about 200k I changed the fluid for the first time and I replaced the side gear and spider gear sets due to some pitting on the spider gears - parts kit cost $130. easy job.

The ring and pinion were still perfect, didnt touch them. Still original wheel bearings- perfect.

 

[dstang97]

perches wont line up and if you want disc brakes it will be a lot more money i wold stick with a older one

 

[davo727]

So weld new perches on,. big deal. And $ for disc brakes makes no difference what year it is.

 

[dstang97]

may not have a welder and they changed the axle so its harder to put disc brakes on

 

[Cucvnut]

get a 14ff and get adapters from 8 bolt to six

 

[kennyw]

get a 14ff and get adapters from 8 bolt to six

That is easier said than done. The bolt patterns interfere with each other and the hub would have to be machined down for the smaller wheel center opening. Much cheaper to buy a 6 lug 14SF and move the perches to fit.

If you don't plan to go with very large tires the SF is plenty strong and offers a better ground clearance. If you do plan on anything larger than 37" tires, go with the 8 lug 14FF and matching Dana 60 front.

 

[Cucvnut]

dude ive seen it done i know people with laths...my friend did it on his 95 half ton

 

[StrykerPez]

Anything is possible when you are willing to shape a little iron. So goes a motto from another site I belong to "Cut, Weld, Drive"

 

[Cucvnut]

fabbing stuff is part of the hobbie

 

[kennyw]

dude ive seen it done i know people with laths...my friend did it on his 95 half ton

I know it is possible, but to the average person without any machining equipment it would be cost prohibitive. I've designed my own 8 to 6 lug adapters... but by the time you look at the cost it is not worth the investment when a 6 lug 14SF will do the job well and with a lot less hassle. Then add to that the fact that anything less than a 37" tire doesn't have much ground clearance with the 14FF so that big axle becomes an anchor off road.

If you are going bigger than 37" tires the 14SF may not be what you want because you will want the matching Dana 60 front anyway, so 8 lugs will be better.

Now, for this guys original question, the axle he is looking at will not be a bolt in. Moving the perches is easy enough though. If you don't have the tools, any competent welder can do it for you for a price.

 

[Cucvnut]

all i was saying the option is there also. nothing wrong with my opinion but your wrong on the cost being prohibited when i said i know people with lathes i meant i cold help him out if needed. don't be so quick to chastise people buddy

 

[Rock_Solid]

I have to agree with davo. Spend the extra $ for disc setup and lose 100 lbs easy.

 

[Recovry4x4]

15" 8 lug wheels would sure be easier, faster and cheaper. Adapters from 8 lug to 6 lug on a FF will also require machining the wheel centers as the FF hub is bigger. I've done the swap countless times. Probably the best alternative in the long run is the swap the front to 8 lug as well. 3/4 ton parts aren't that expensive and then you will have bigger brakes all the way around.

 

[kennyw]

all i was saying the option is there also. nothing wrong with my opinion but your wrong on the cost being prohibited when i said i know people with lathes i meant i cold help him out if needed. don't be so quick to chastise people buddy

Not chastising... just giving my opinion to give balance to the conversation.

 

[Rock_Solid]

They actually make 6 lug conversion hubs for the ff 14b. I think i saw them for 800. Also motor, the "latest and greatest" 14b is in the 01' and up chevy HD's. They are 11.5" ring gear. Parts haven't caught up to them yet, they are still expensive. I'd still prefer the older ff 14b's. Cost effective and damn near indestructable.