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12 bolt vs. 14bsf

B

Ben B.

1/2 ton status
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Sep 1, 2005
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My badass new '78 K10 has a 12 bolt rear, would it be worth upgrading to a 14bsf in the future or is the strength near the same? My 35's will be on the K10 soon...I'm pretty sure the 12 bolt will hold up though.

Opinions.
 
The 14sf is a fair amount stronger than your 12 bolt. If I were you, I would run the 12 bolt 'til you break it then replace it with a 14sf.
 
If you want to continue running your 6 lug wheels, start looking for the SF now, as 6 lug 14SF's (especially the gearing you want, whatever it is) aren't real easy to find. They are out there, but you may spend some time looking before you find the right one.

They aren't infinitely stronger than a 12 bolt, but for parts failure, you hear very little about the 14SF.
 
38377k5 said:
The 14sf is a fair amount stronger than your 12 bolt. If I were you, I would run the 12 bolt 'til you break it then replace it with a 14sf.
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That's always the plan. lol
 
A good set of axleshafts and a 1350 yoke are a great way to semi-bulletproff the 12 bolt with 35 inch tires . A disc brake setup will hold the axles in if you break one .

Myself , I just wheel mine and carry shafts . Its cheaper for me . I will probably end up breaking something I don't carry :thumb:
 
I wheel a 12 bolt and carry shafts. 35s are the max so I hear but so far the only thing I broke was a 2 week old ring and pinion. Richmond warrantied it due to the hardening not being proper.
gabe
 
I wheel a 12bolt. I broke it last year at Blazer Bash, stripped teeth off the ring gear. The ring and pinion were 37 years old, and the guys that fixed it thought that the gears were setup wrong when the Detroit was installed. I was still able to limp the truck back to Moab, about 15 miles.

I'm still running the 12bolt with new 4.56 gears. No more breakage. I say run the 12bolt until it breaks.
 
1BadK-30 said:
bit off topic sry if im high jacking but does a 14bsf come in a 5 lug?
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They came 5 lug in 454ss trucks, but you can get aftermarket shafts for fairly cheap. Ive also seen some 2wd work truck that had a 14sf and 5 lug.
 
marv_springer said:
Wow...!

No 14bFF advice.... :dunno:

Ok... I'll do it...... GET A FULL FLOATER...!
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x2

Usually run-it-till-it-breaks is good advice to avoid spending too much $$$ during the build process.... but ff14b axles are so damn cheap that it doesn't really make sense to skimp. You see them for $100-200 all the time... and if you can't afford that, you can't afford to go wheeling anyway. ;)

j
 
Whats funny is I have spent 2 or 3 times a 14bff buying up all the shafts I can for 10b fronts and 12 bolt rears . I haven't broken one yet ( knocks on wood ) I just want to corner the market . Someday all the 14bff will be under every last K5-K30 , every jeep and Bronco , and all that will be left is 12 bolts and 10 bolts ..... and I will be the only one with the shafts :pimp:
 
jekbrown said:
x2
but ff14b axles are so damn cheap that it doesn't really make sense to skimp.

j
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Well.... just to set the record straight..... I was joking.

I'm still running that 1/2 ton crap myself!:haha: Someday I'll get in the big leages!

Marv
 
jekbrown said:
x2

Usually run-it-till-it-breaks is good advice to avoid spending too much $$$ during the build process.... but ff14b axles are so damn cheap that it doesn't really make sense to skimp. You see them for $100-200 all the time... and if you can't afford that, you can't afford to go wheeling anyway. ;)

j
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Let's not forget approx $200 for the 8-lug wheels, presumably 15"ers to fit the tires he has now. Around here it's another $100 for 8-lug outers from the u-pull-it. You'll have to cough up more money for spring perches if it's a 1-ton 14bff. And that damn conversion joint is almost $40.
 
There is a big difference between a 12 bolt and a 14 bolt SF, if you put the carriers side by side you will see what I mean. I didn't feel like buying new wheels or converting my front to 8 lugs so I run a 14 B SF with 6 lugs, I don't plan on running tires bigger than 37's so I think it should be OK.
 
mrk5 said:
Let's not forget approx $200 for the 8-lug wheels, presumably 15"ers to fit the tires he has now. Around here it's another $100 for 8-lug outers from the u-pull-it. You'll have to cough up more money for spring perches if it's a 1-ton 14bff. And that damn conversion joint is almost $40.
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You forgot about the always entertaining e-brake issue, I don't know about you guys but I like having an e-brake when I have to park my truck on a hill in the middle of the trail.
 
bajaviking said:
You forgot about the always entertaining e-brake issue, I don't know about you guys but I like having an e-brake when I have to park my truck on a hill in the middle of the trail.
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True that!
 
doesn't anyone make a 8-to-6 lug spacer/conversion? save the $ from having to buy new wheels etc. I dunno, for me, not breaking my rear end is worth more than $100. I rarely get to go wheeling and if I **** up a trip with something as silly as a rear axle shaft I'd be highly annoyed. lol!

j
 
I meant to post this in my last post. Ooops

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