first year for 14bFF? + more ** Updated help needed please newer post

[Mountain_man]

As the title says what was the first year made for chevy's? Also are any year ranges/trucks better then others for building up for a swap? I'm hoping for a direct drop in on 91 suburban so if that helps. I appreciate it in advance.

 

[throttleissues]

I think '73 is the first year of the 14bff. I've never seen one stock on the previous body style. I know some guys talk about some being more desireable than others, but an axle from the '80s would be a direct swap into your '91, since the park brake cables would match up. Just the pinion yoke would be bigger.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

'73 was the first year. They used the massive Eatons before that.

 

[bigjbear]

If you want direct swap make sure you get a 3/4 one, not a 1 ton.

 

[Stomis]

If you want direct swap make sure you get a 3/4 one, not a 1 ton.

Ding

And I think the eaton HO's had more clearance than a 14b plus a removable third member. Damn chevy and them wanting their own axles...

 

[rdn2blazer]

Ding

And I think the eaton HO's had more clearance than a 14b plus a removable third member. Damn chevy and them wanting their own axles...

Noone makes parts for those axles correct? gears, axles. Wish they did. That axle would be the hot axle over the 14FF if thet had kept making them all these years.

 

[jonathon]

Also, you'll need an axle from an 80 or 81 and up. Not sure when they changed the e-brake cable design, but for it to bolt up you'll need that. Or you could just do a disc brake conversion at the same time

 

[dremu]

If you want direct swap make sure you get a 3/4 one, not a 1 ton.

And IIRC for a total bolt up you want one from a 3/4 ton 4WD as the 2WD shock mounting is different.

-- A

 

[throttleissues]

And IIRC for a total bolt up you want one from a 3/4 ton 4WD as the 2WD shock mounting is different.

-- A

The brackets just hang a little lower, but it still fits, it just needs longer shocks or you can modify the brackets.

 

[Mountain_man]

I found a suburban with a diesel motor in it and what seems to be a 14bff in it. Would this basically drop straight in? It looks a bit different then other 14b I've seen as far as brake design though so I was wondering.

 

[Duntz00]

I found a suburban with a diesel motor in it and what seems to be a 14bff in it. Would this basically drop straight in? It looks a bit different then other 14b I've seen as far as brake design though so I was wondering.

could be a semi float 14 bolt

 

[Mountain_man]

It's got the huge hub ends sticking out the side of the wheel as the FF does I just haven't seen this design before. The one in my suburban currently is a 14SF and it's nothing like it.

 

[Duntz00]

what year is it

 

[Mountain_man]

1990 is year on the suburban if I remember correctly. but they have quite a few of them.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

The FF drums are a bit different looking. Massive with a bit of a...sorta "deep dish hub cap" look. Sound right? Not the usual "dog bowl with fins" most people used to SF drums are used to.

That sorta look like it? Might not look the same as Big Ugly is a 1 ton and has the beeg brakes.

 

[4X4HIGH]

73 was the first year for the 14ff and 88 and newer are a stronger housing with "ribbing" and also use a larger pinion bearing.

 

[Mountain_man]

Thanks for the help I'll be picking it up in a day or 2.

 

[69TowRig]

The "Bible":

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/

 

[cdoggwsu]

The "Bible":

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/

So much freekin' information! I've been looking over the "Bible" for the last few days and it's enough to make your head spin.

For most, the SRW is preferable and the 88+ got some improvements but have issues with the disc conversion because of the hub design, correct?

Spring pad spacing aside, throughout the years the e-brake cable setup has changed as well as overall WMS to WMS measurements depending on what the damn thing came under originally.(Which Billavista classifies more in depth by "types") Oh yeah, something else about the pinion bearings being different over the years too...

90% of the time the people I've contacted on CL don't know what the hell they have and it's usually an hour+ drive to see them.

Silly GM...

 

[Mountain_man]

Ok since my 14SF rear is about to blow on me (broken ring) What shocks should I use for the rear? The one I found is out of a 2wd suburban (diesel) and I'm sure it's a FF (diesel) since I'm doing this in the next day or two Is their a place near me that would sell a conversion u joint or only avail online?

If you can at least get me squared away with that I'd sure appreciate it as I don't wanna run into a huge snag. I've swapped rears before and it's really quick and easy I just want to make sure I have what is needed. Thanks
Josh