i recently bought a 14 bff to build-up and stuff under my K5. I don't know what vehicle it came off of, but it does have the type A SRW hubs with press on drums. The leaf spring pads are also 42 1/2". So from what I've read leads me to believe that I have and older style 14 bff, but what throws me for a loop is that it has the extra strength ribbing on top of the pumpkin. The only reason I am asking is because I am wanting to do a disc conversion, but the ruffstuff kit states that it will only work on 73-87 14 bff axles. I didn't realize there was other various between the years. Any idears?
CK5
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14 bff year id?
- Thread starter usaf_blazer
- Start date
Look at the ring gear for a date stamped in it.
It does sound like the typical square body 14 bolt so the 73-87 kit should work. The overlap with the 88+ newer body style trucks causes confusion. My 91 V3500 3+3 had a rear axle like you described and caused a lot of confusion when buying parts.
It does sound like the typical square body 14 bolt so the 73-87 kit should work. The overlap with the 88+ newer body style trucks causes confusion. My 91 V3500 3+3 had a rear axle like you described and caused a lot of confusion when buying parts.
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
Is your diff covered with fins? If so you have a 2nd gen 14 bolt. If its smooth in some areas its 1st gen. I made that mistake and had to weld on disc brake adapters.
It is a smooth diff cover. I looked at the ring gear and the numbers are as follows;
1 GM 327722 10 41 3 90
I know what the 10/41 means; 4:10 ratio. But the others numbers have me stumped, which is the date code?
1 GM 327722 10 41 3 90
I know what the 10/41 means; 4:10 ratio. But the others numbers have me stumped, which is the date code?
The smooth isn't on the diff cover. Its the pumpkin, or housing itself. Let me see if I can find some pics...
The top of the differential has the strength ribs or "fins" on my axle
Here's the ribbed housing. The older ones don't have the ribs.
Here's the standard housing without ribs...
I thought second gen 14 bolts had slide on brake drums, whereas mine has the drum mounted on the inboard side of the hub.
They're a mixture, some have slide on drums and some don't
That is the square body vs newer body style misinformation I was talking about. Like Chris said, there's a mixture of ribbed housings. I'm pretty sure that ribbed with press on drums were square body axles (thru 91) and ribbed with slide off drums are in the 88+ newer body style trucks.
So, how come the ruff stuff disc kit won't work with 14bff axles that were made after 1987? I don't see what would cause an issue. Especially seeing as the hubs I have are designed to have the drums pressed onto the inboard side.
if you have press on drums = good to go with the kit .
if you have slide off drums = different kit .
the spindle is shorter and hubs inside bearing spacing also . I found out the hard way years ago .
and for what its worth I have a 88k30 crew cab with a 14ff rear and finned housing with press on drums .
no one said it yet but 03/90 for the mf date . by the info you posted .
if you have slide off drums = different kit .
the spindle is shorter and hubs inside bearing spacing also . I found out the hard way years ago .
and for what its worth I have a 88k30 crew cab with a 14ff rear and finned housing with press on drums .
no one said it yet but 03/90 for the mf date . by the info you posted .
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
Slide off drum disc brake swap kit doesnt exist. Weld on only.
We've seen a ton of 88-98 trucks that had press on drums, not sure what the rhyme or reason is. Our '99 2500 had the old style press on drums and the normal disc brake kits work fine on it.
Awesome! Thanks for the help ya'll.
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
Yeah press on drums are easier to deal with for the disc swap. If you want to do weld ons for the slip on style drum, I have it in my build thread.
454Sub
5/8 ton status
GM was hoosier when it came to these trucks, just tossing parts around and hoping for the best. I have worked on dozens upon dozens of 88-98s, and found some all standard, then some all metric, then some mixed up.
