thebluemax
1/2 ton status
What is the biggest tires a sf 14 bolt can handle? Has anyone done a six lug conversion of an 80's type semi floater? If anyone has any pointers it would be greatly appreciated.
CK5
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14 bolt semi float conversion
- Thread starter thebluemax
- Start date
George_Pimpdaddy
1/2 ton status
Well I've seen up to 40"s on the 14sf so it up to you and your rig really and how hard you drive. Also the 14sf was offered in 6 lug and 8 lug depending what application it came from. I found a 6 lug 14sf for my 99tahoe to help with towing.
stumpbuster
1/2 ton status
got 40's on mine, wouldnt go bigger, strength of a dana 60 rear
He was specifically asking about the 80's 14sf.
It should be easier to swap in a 90's 6 lg SF than convert a 80's sf to 6 lug.
chevydan3
1/2 ton status
CK5 own thread about the 14sf.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135125&highlight=14bsf
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135125&highlight=14bsf
COCHEV
1/2 ton status
easies, cheapest, fasted might be to just 8 lug the front
bigger front brakes are always good
easies, cheapest, fasted might be to just 8 lug the front
bigger front brakes are always good
Are the calipers/pads any different? I thought they were the same unless you went w/ a 60.
COCHEV
1/2 ton status
the rotors are bigger
and backing plate is also.
easies, cheapest, fasted might be to just 8 lug the front
bigger front brakes are always good
Except for having to change wheels all around.
So same clamping force and same friction area. Only dif is a slightly better (longer) leverage legnth. I wouldn't call that an upgrade.
As far as the cheep/easy part I agree, though.
If that pad size doesn't change, but the rotor gets bigger.....yes, the clamping force is the same. BUT, the rotor's purpose is to dissipate heat, which is a serous responsibility on the front of one of these heavier trucks. The more it can dissipate heat, the less fade you will experience.
The leverage length only comes into play if the pad is farther than the center....and if it is, that is a benefit too.
Since for whatever reason I can't PM you, I'll just ask here. How much work was involved in putting that 14bsf in your Tahoe? I'll be doing the same to mine in a few years and am looking at an '88-plus 6 lug 14 bolt.
I won't go into details since it has already been done MANY TIMES on this site. The short version is that there are 2 choices in 14sf:
1) The older 8-lug version which bolts into your truck
2) The newer 6-lug version with the spring and shock pads in different places.
Whether you move the mounting features on the new one or swap axleshafts and brakes on the old one is up to you.
1) The older 8-lug version which bolts into your truck
2) The newer 6-lug version with the spring and shock pads in different places.
Whether you move the mounting features on the new one or swap axleshafts and brakes on the old one is up to you.
It's going in my Yukon fyi. So that prolly changes your suggestion a bit I think, the older one needs work while the newer one will be a bolt-in job. Correct?
Correct!
The one I helped Matt install in his Tahoe was from a 97 Chevy light duty 3/4 ton (6 lugger). It bolted straight in, and everything plugged straight in as well. We did wind up ditching the sway bar as the new diff did not have the mounts on it, but we did install a set of air bags to help with towing / sway
The one I helped Matt install in his Tahoe was from a 97 Chevy light duty 3/4 ton (6 lugger). It bolted straight in, and everything plugged straight in as well. We did wind up ditching the sway bar as the new diff did not have the mounts on it, but we did install a set of air bags to help with towing / sway
That is good to hear
I want to, but not until I have a need to.
I want to, but not until I have a need to.
George_Pimpdaddy
1/2 ton status
The axle swap was fairly easy considering we did in outside on the garage pad in a freak snow storm 
I ditched the sway bar as the axle didn't have the mounts on it for that but instead installed a set of Firestone air bag helpers for towing and sway reduction. Works pretty good towing an older 21foot camper trailer up and down mountain passes. Here's a quick picture showing the setup.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I ditched the sway bar as the axle didn't have the mounts on it for that but instead installed a set of Firestone air bag helpers for towing and sway reduction. Works pretty good towing an older 21foot camper trailer up and down mountain passes. Here's a quick picture showing the setup.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
A larger rotor has a larger distance from the center to the acting force (caliper and pad) and hence will cause a larger moment (i.e. more torque to stop the vehicle).
With the same size caliper, pads, master cylinder etc. a 12" rotor will stop almost 10% better than an 11" one, simply based on size and leverage and of course it will cool better too.
