14bolt thinkerin

[SpeedlabDan]

so not that this will happen any time soon I was just havin a think bc there's a 2001 disc brake 14bff lurking around my shop that I may truss up and lock for my k5. Now it seems everyone still uses the drum brake axle and convert for weight savings and performance. My question is, other than the center section having the extra webbing; is this axle worth using? It's 4.10 open and the calipers and rotors are trash but the brackets are there.

 

[GreenieK30]

Yes, they are good axles. Only downside I see is the low hanging e-brake cables.

 

[79rustyk10]

By my understanding the main setback to those axles is cost. I wouldn't think twice about it myself, if you're wanting disc brakes.

 

[SpeedlabDan]

Yes, they are good axles. Only downside I see is the low hanging e-brake cables.

If I ran this I'd run the tcase brake so hopefully that's not an issue.

 

[SpeedlabDan]

By my understanding the main setback to those axles is cost. I wouldn't think twice about it myself, if you're wanting disc brakes.

Are you referring to locker cost? Or the axle itself?

 

[obijuank5]

The disc brake axles are usually more expensive than our older drum axles. They are a good swap to match width to the front axle and good disc brakes.

They do have metric lug studs and dont bolt in at all but it's basically the same axle inside.

 

[Bent77]

Probably don’t need to truss it

 

[6872xtc]

I guess that I didn't know there was any significant weight difference between the old ones and the newer axles. I have one from an '04 that I am holding onto until I find out if the brackets I have will swap the '04 discs to the old axle properly. I figured that if all else fails, I will build one axle out of the 2.
I want the E brake at the wheels in case I need to pull the rear shaft for some reason. I wouldn't have to rely on just something blocking the tires.

 

[SpeedlabDan]

Probably don’t need to truss it

Where's the fun in that!?

 

[SpeedlabDan]

The disc brake axles are usually more expensive than our older drum axles. They are a good swap to match width to the front axle and good disc brakes.

They do have metric lug studs and dont bolt in at all but it's basically the same axle inside.

If I use it I'll link it so I'm not too concerned with fitment but width is good. I was thinkin about the metric studs though

 

[SpeedlabDan]

I guess that I didn't know there was any significant weight difference between the old ones and the newer axles. I have one from an '04 that I am holding onto until I find out if the brackets I have will swap the '04 discs to the old axle properly. I figured that if all else fails, I will build one axle out of the 2.
I want the E brake at the wheels in case I need to pull the rear shaft for some reason. I wouldn't have to rely on just something blocking the tires.

Was also thinkin about that issue wit the e brake but I love the simplicity

 

[6872xtc]

So has anyone looked up parts to see if it's possible to install standard studs?
I thought that they used the same axle seals, maybe there is more at the hub end in common?

 

[79rustyk10]

Just the cost to obtain one. I've heard they're fairly spendy.

 

[SpeedlabDan]

So has anyone looked up parts to see if it's possible to install standard studs?
I thought that they used the same axle seals, maybe there is more at the hub end in common?

Maybe just force some sae studs in there? Lol

 

[6872xtc]

Maybe just force some sae studs in there? Lol

Well, sort of. When I installed the SF 14 in my '90, the guy at NAPA just compared the dimensions of the original metric ones to what they had in a standard thread.