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14 bolt SF 6 lug axle years that work best under a K5?

Mav2u

Mav2u

1/2 ton status
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May 22, 2002
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Location
Palm Bay, Florida
I'm hunting the yards an talking to a few people in the classified section here, but what I want to know is this:

What years of the 14 bolt SF 6 lug will drop into my 1989 GMC Jimmy 5.7?
So far I am pretty sure of this:

My spring pad width is 42.5"?

80-87 3/4 ton Suburbans 14 bolt SF are 8 lug only.
88-98 3/4 ton Pickups/Suburbans SF 6 lug 2wd. ( Narrower axle, matches to stock 10 bolt width. )
88-98 3/4 ton Pickups/Suburbans SF 6 lug 4wd. ( wider axle, matches to front 10 bolt width)

When I search the local yards an forums I need to know exactly what years are a direct drop in for the 14 bolt 6 lug SF rears. If there is such a thing! Or what the best option to get is?

Wider axle or narrower axle? Which is better or easier? What upgrades are more available if there is a difference? Should I get open carrier or is the gov-lok plenty strong for now?

Thanks!!
 
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I'll tell you what I know....

The 88+ pickups will not bolt directly in and need to have the spring perches and shock mounts re-mounted to fit the older body style. Within that same era of rear ends, I have found the 14SF 6 lug in 2wd and 4wd rigs. Typically the 2wd ones are narrower and match more closely to your existing rear, 10 bolt. The 4wd are typically wider and match, roughly your front 10 bolt width. Just depends on what you want.

I actually found my narrower one underneath a 4wd one....so be sure to measure each one you find. It's not set in stone.

I also found a narrow 8 lug SF and swapped the 6 lug axle shafts, backing plates and drums.

For the older axles that would bolt up directly.....I think all of those are 8 lug. I don't know if you could swap the axle shafts or not but I think not. Others can chime in.
 
So 73-87 14 bolt SF only came in 8 lug? But the perches match up?

88-98 14 bolt SF 6 lug come in two widths an neither perches match up?
88-98 14 bolt SF 8 lug can be swapped to six lug shafts?

Damn! I was hoping I could find a direct drop in 6 lug version!!!
 
So would the 88-98 14 bolt SF 6 lug 4x4 version one be the same width as the front axle on my current truck then? Since the 10 bolt rear axle is narrower than the front on my current setup.
 
Mav2u said:
So would the 88-98 14 bolt SF 6 lug 4x4 version one be the same width as the front axle on my current truck then? Since the 10 bolt rear axle is narrower than the front on my current setup.
Click to expand...

They vary from truck to truck. You'll just have to bring a tape measure with you. Most of them seem to be the wider ones though from what I found...... (matching the width of your front axle).
 
So my best bet is to find a 88-98 3/4 ton Pickup/Suburban 4x4 14 bolt SF 6 lug rear axle?

To which I will need to relocate the spring perches an shock mount tabs since none of the 88-98 perches are a direct fit to my truck?

Is this all correct?
 
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Yea, that's what I am doing. I got the axle already and expect to pay about $100 for new spring perches and shock mounts......
 
1/2 ton 4x4 with towing package and light duty 3/4 ton with 6 lug got 14sf

and 4x4 tends to be wide axle.

search the garage as there is a few decent threads on the 14sf axle id and info.
 
I searched the forums but haven't found any topics dealing with the 14 bolt SF. Maybe I'm searching wrong but no real here's the info I need kind of info.

Before I buy a 14 bolt SF I'd like to know all I can so that I can make an informed decision on which one to buy an what years to shop for!

What ones if I buy open diff can I later buy a after market limited slip for?

What ones work best for the disc brake mod upgrade?

Is the two wheel drive short like stock or the 4x4 wide track one a better choice? An why?

I want to buy one rear end an be done with rear ends for the rest of this trucks life! This is the second 10 bolt I've had something break on it! I'd like a nice dependable, good driving, limited slip style rear end to put back in with little cost! Money is tight an I need my beast back on the road!

Does anyone have the complete 411 on 14 bolt SF rear end swapping info?
 
Yeah, I tried searching 14 bolt sf and really didn't find any all in one information like what I'm looking for.

I wanted to know what years the 14sf was made, what years I should look for. Should I get one out of a 4x2 or 4x4, what is the width difference from the stock 10 bolt on the 14 sf versions.

I have to know what I'm looking for when I go parts searching or I'll end up with a 14sf I can't use because I didn't do my research. An that would suck!!!!!
 
Okay! Found a 14 bolt sf from a 90 4x4 truck with 3.73 an a gov lock. Going to start a new topic on how to set this thing up!
 
I figured it would be easier to update an add the pictures of the build so others with a 14 SF can find it an we can reference it!
 
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