What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

14 BFF Weld or Detroit?

Hossbaby50

Hossbaby50

3/4 ton status
Joined
Sep 1, 2001
Posts
8,969
Reaction score
1
Location
Peoria, AZ
I am getting a 14 bolt for my truck, and am debating whether to put a Detroit or weld it. I am thinking that at first I will weld it, because I don't have a lot of funds. Then if I don't like the welded diff I can drop in the Detroit when I get some $. What do you all think? What are your opinion on detroit versus welded?

All opinions and personal experience welcome. Thanks

Harley

My Chevy isn't broken, its just out of gas.
 
Is the 14 bolt ff a open diff or is it a factory LSD???
I dont think a detroit will work in a factory Limited Slip Diff??? I could be wrong...
I'd wait for the funds to get the detroit.. it's 300 bucks...
 
I've got my 14bFF and I'm taking that same route. I think a Detroit is superior to a welded axle if any daily driving is involved.

I started with nothing and I still have most of that left! - <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/borregok5> Pictures</a>
 
My thoughts after doing a lot of research and sking around is if you plan to daily drive in snow go for a welded as it won't kick in and out spuratically. Street wise the Detriot may help the tires last a little longer, but that is a chunck of change to move up to a detriot from a welded as you will need to reset the R&amp;P for the locker.

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch</a>
 
Well I personally like the way a spooled rear end or welded rear end feels versus a locker. But I just broke my mini spool from street driving, so I would say put a detroit in it. Spooled or welded rear ends and pavement plays hell on the carier. Especially when you add radial tires into the picture. I will probably be putting a dana 60 in the rear with a full spool and bias tires, but mine isnt driven on the street much.

86Jimmy 4"&35"MTRs,87 burb 4"&33"MT,69Firebird w/525 hp,and 70GTO live in PHX,AZ<a target="_blank" href=http://www.geocities.com/modifierperformance>My vehicles</a>
 
Mikey, on a 14 FF the detroit is a slip in locker like a lock right or a ez-locker.

86Jimmy 4"&35"MTRs,87 burb 4"&33"MT,69Firebird w/525 hp,and 70GTO live in PHX,AZ<a target="_blank" href=http://www.geocities.com/modifierperformance>My vehicles</a>
 
Uh duh....on me
tongue.gif
crazy.gif
Thanks for the correction DD. Shows how many 14B FF's I've played with... that would explain why you need an open carrier if you have a gov-lok
tongue.gif
. I'm all corporate, Dana, and 9".

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch</a>
 
anybody else. just trying to get input. Thanks

Harley

My Chevy isn't broken, its just out of gas.
 
Im probably (most likley) weld the gears for now. and work my way up to a detroit. im just gonna pretend i still have 10 bolts and be "easy" on it.

Sun Desert Offroad <a target="_blank" href=http://4x4.alloffroad.com>4x4.alloffroad.com</a>

83 Chevy, 350, sm465, lincoln locked14ff, (soon to be- spooled dana 60, flatbed,and 39.5" TSL's)
 
Dont even think about it,welding the rear is superior in every way.You save money,Its locked all the time(no in out type crap)Its just as strong ,and you could probably do it tommorow if you wanted,no waiting on parts to be delivered.I know lots of guys that are welded in the rear and havent had the slightest problem.And they have done some serious trails and lots of on road driving.Save youself some cash and weld the snottttt out of it!!!!!!!!!
 
you know I have been wondering the same thing myself.....
The first page of coloradok5.com shows how to weld the spiders... then out of all the posts I dont hear of many people doing it. I have a spare 14bolt ff under my pickup trailer.. so I am gonna weld the spiders... If I dont like it I got spares.....
my $1.68 damn inflation again....


1978 Chevy 3/4 - 14" leafs -dana 44w/4.56's -14 bolt corp w/4.56's on 40x17x16.5 Ground Hawgs on 16.5x12 steel rims-NP205&SMC465
 
I welded the spiders on mine (I'd the one who did the write up
smile.gif
) and it's been great!
Several things. The gears and stuff are heat treated. The less heat, the better. Welding the snot out of it will weaken it and you'll break. Putting in those little 'stops' on the spiders doesn't generate much heat at all.
Also, I know Boss put up a post where he was having problems while going around a corner. His truck would cut in and out. His detroit would lock, then unlock, then lock, then unlock and he said it made it an interesting situation. You don't get that with it welded. And if you weld it like the write up and you don't like it, just get new spider gears.

<font color=green>Can't sleep...the clown will get me</font color=green>

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bluefox.tv/~lara>My Wonderful Site</a>
 
I say weld it. I have been running welded rear ends for years and never had any problems resulting from being welded. And believe me they have had alot of abuse !

'80 K10 350/350/NP205/14B/10B/4.10/4"Lift/Q78-Buckshots
 
I went through the same decision when swapping in my 14 FF last winter.......pay $300+ for a Detroit or weld it for free. I went with the weld and never looked back, though my truck does not get driven on a daily basis but I personally don't think it's too bad on the street.
 
I went Detroit but I'll say this - I've driven in Rene's (tRustyK5) welded rear truck and it handles NO differently than mine. For as cheap as it is to weld, I'd do that, if you have problems down the road, drop in the Detroit. Detroits under power are just like a spool anyway.............trust me on that.

One other comment - my Detroit is NOT a problem with locking/unlocking - maybe I've been lucky or Wes just did an extra special job setting it up
wink.gif
but I have found there are no handling issues once you drive the truck for a couple of weeks and get used to the pushing.

ONE TON</font color=blue> <font color=green>TPI'd</font color=green><font color=red> BEAST<font color=red>
 
he was having motor troubles and his blazer would accelerate around the corner (locking it) then it'd cut out and it'd unlock, then the motor would come back and it'd accelerate (lock it) etc..
the detroit was doing what it was supposed to do.

<font color=green>Can't sleep...the clown will get me</font color=green>

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bluefox.tv/~lara>My Wonderful Site</a>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom