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14 BOLT Full Floater / Semi Floater

M

MNNCO

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I'm new to the forum, I finaly need the resources.
I will most likely buy a year membership, but would like to see how it goes on the forums first.
Thanks for the opportunity! /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
I think this is appropriate material for the Garage.
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Just getting started on a 70 K5 and I have a few questions.

Can a 14 bolt SF be converted to a FF?

I know a guy that has a Dana 44 and a 14Bolt sf 3/4 ton 4.10 gears for $375. Is that a fair price?
They are in a good running truck that is donating it's Big Block.

The Blazer has the stock 12 Bolt and Dana 44 with 3.08's.
Seems this would be a step up to me. It will also give me disk brakes!
 
what size tires are you planning on running, and what type of wheeling do you do??, no you cant convert a SF to FF the 2 axles look completely differnet, the sf is pretty strong but the FF is alot stronger it just depends on what you are going to be doin.
-Chris
 
welcome to CK5 /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

a sf can not be converted to a FF, its a totly different axle. warn sold a kit for a 10b/12b, but it was expencive and they discontinued them.

$374 i think is a good price for a set of 3/4 ton with 4:10s, they didn't come with disks unless he swaped them on it.
 
not sure on if you can convert it to FF...probably I know warn makes some FF kits...but it wont be as burly as a true 14bolt FF which has a 10.5 ring gear whereas the semifloater has a 9.5 ring gear...I'd say just run it...u can always find a 14Bolt FF for pretty cheap and swap it in later down the road!
 
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they didn't come with disks unless he swaped them on it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think he's talking bout the front...since in 70 the fronts used drums /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
/forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif forgot about that /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif
 
Thanks for the help!

These axles are in a early/mid 80's 3/4 ton chevy truck. I have not seen the rear axle, but it sounds like it is a sf. Maybe it is a ff? The seller doesn't know for sure.
I'll know for sure this weekend when I look at it.

Discs, yes I was refering to the front axle.
The stock drums are really bad!

I am in the process of installing a BB 396 , and plan on running 35's. I plan to drive it 50/50 on/off road.
Hopefully after a few mod's like a cage and bumpers I can be off road more.



I guess for the money, it will take care of the gear problem and help the brakes on all 4 corners, and give me stronger axles. not bad for $375. Couldn't do a gear swap for that.
 
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If it is an 80's K20 then it should most definitely have a 14sf.

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why? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif actually most but not all k20 came with a FF it wasn't untill after 87 that they really started using SF's in 3/4 tons
 
Are you sure? My '82 has a sf and most 80's 3/4 ton subs that I know of have the SF. I think C20s may have gotten the FF more often.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If it is an 80's K20 then it should most definitely have a 14sf.

[/ QUOTE ]

why? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif actually most but not all k20 came with a FF it wasn't untill after 87 that they really started using SF's in 3/4 tons

[/ QUOTE ]

81-up ALL K20s should have the SF.

Reason the 14 FF can be found in C20s is that they had the option for a 454.
 
Welcome!

The SF rear is a fine axle for moderate wheeling especially with 35" tires but a locker is more expensive than for the 14FF (it uses the existing carrier so its cheaper). The front axle is prolly a 10 bolt instead of a D44 but they are virtually identical in strength and ok for moderate wheeling. You should actually get a strength increase over your current 1970 D44 because the axle u joints in the later D44's and all the front 10 bolts are considerably larger, so you'll have disk brakes and larger axle joints.

/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
How much stronger is the 14bsf than a 12 bolt?
From bearing spec's i've found, it look's like the internal parts are quite a bit larger, just curious about real world comparisons? /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
i think the sf is alot stronger than a 12b, i think its just a little weaker than the FF. the big difference is strenght is the SF design and the 1" smaller ring gear.
 
A 12 bolt would be lucky to hold up to 35s under hard use.

I'd say an SF could take a 38x12.50 no problem.

As far as semi floating axles go, 14 SF is the king along with the Dana 60.

FF is still far better IMO though. I ran a 14 SF hard for two years without breakage though.
 
I'm going from my welded diff 14bff in my 74' K20 to a locked 14bsf for the weight savings and ground clearance gains (plus the fact that you can get to the brake shoes without using up an entire day wrenching)

just wanted to get some real world comparisons from guys who have used them.
Since all my twelve bolts have held up pretty good (except for the Gov-Lok one's, man what junk that idea was /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif) i figured i shouldn't have any problem with the bigger axle

i only run 36" TSL radials and wheel in PA (kinda slippery up here), so it sounds like the 14bsf will be great for what i do.

Thanks again guys /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
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