1990 Blazer 10b to 14b Question

[douglasboys]

I have a 1990 Blazer with 10b front and rear. The truck is mainly used off road on rock and dirt trails as well as blasting through dunes. I broke the spider gears in the rear end and from what I’ve read, I should upgrade to 14b. I just put on 33”s on 15” wheels which will have to be replaced with at least 16”? My question is what 14b should I use to make this easy, affordable and reliable? What years and vehicle would I find it? Will it bolt right in to the leafs and drive shaft(s)?

The Blazer does not do well on whoops or rough roads, has anyone switched over to a coil spring set up using newer axles? Is it time to sell “The Money Pit” and look at a newer Explorer or Cherokee?

Thanks

 

[6.2Blazer]

I won't flame you like Pirate4x4......but all of these questions are very basic and have been thoroughly discussed dozens of times (I would guess at least a couple times per month. Use the search function and you can spend days reading information on this.

Anyway, a quick summary:

- 15" 8-lug wheels are cheap and easy to get, and should work with the 14-bolt

- You can convert the front axle to 8-lug easily and cheaply with junkyard parts. Likely requires some brake caliper grinding to fit 15" wheels.

- Get a 14-bolt out of a 3/4 ton pickup up to '87 for the right spring pad spacing. You will also need u-bolts and the spring plates.

- Auto trans '90 K5 will have an S44/3R u-joint on the driveshaft. 14-bolt has a 1350 yoke. The S44 to 1350 conversion joint is easy to get.

Sure, people have converted over to coils and such...but to do it right takes an extensive amount of fabrication and knowledge on how to set it up correctly. Getting "newer axles set up for coil springs" really has very little to do with changing over the suspension.

 

[douglasboys]

Thanks for the info. I have read a half of dozen or so similar posts and replies, but what vehicle and year was not talked about. I would have no idea to look for pre `87, I would have thought 88-91. Thanks again for the info

 

[onetonbb74]

suspension from an 87 blazer will fit 88-91 blazers and suburbans. Its the same thing still the old bodystyle.

 

[douglasboys]

- Get a 14-bolt out of a 3/4 ton pickup up to '87 for the right spring pad spacing.

I took "Up to" to mean pre `87. Is it back to? 87-91?
I also see the 9.5" 14 bolt came in a 6 lug.

 

[76zimmer]

I took "Up to" to mean pre `87. Is it back to? 87-91?
I also see the 9.5" 14 bolt came in a 6 lug.

Yes it did, and although its a 9-1/2" semi-floating axle (like your 10bolt) its not a durable as a 14BFF 10-1/2 in ring gear. It is a good upgrade to consider for your application.

 

[TDAWG1]

Got 15" wheels on my 14blt ff Love it works great.

 

[douglasboys]

I found the CK5 article on axle swap. Even though the 9.5 14b is not as strong as the 10.5 14b, it will be the cheapest and easiest way to go. I am only running 33" tires and I will still be able to use the 6 lugs wheels. Now I just need to find a 87-91, Sub. or truck to pull one out of.

Thanks for the help, it is truly appreciated.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Let me clarify the "up to '87" comment, and the 6-lug 14SF axle.

Starting in '88 all 3/4 ton pickups went to the new style (different body, IFS suspension, etc...) and I do not believe the axles from these trucks are a direct bolt-in. After taking away pickups, you are left with the '88-'91 3/4 ton (2500 series) Suburban as the only source of a 14-bolt on an '88-newer truck that would be an easy swap, and most of the 3/4 ton Burbs I have seen had the 14SF, 8-lug version.

I have never seen a stock older (square) body style truck (up to '87 pickups, up to '91 Blazers and Burbs) with a 6-lug 14SF. I have only ever seen the 6-lug versions on the '88-newer 2500 light duty pickups and a few 1500's with the right option package.