Going to junkyard tomorow, what did I need to look for? 14SF

[90K5]

I"m going to go to the junkyard tomorrow, looking for a 14BSF from an 81-87 PU with 4.10's or 3.73's, preferably 4.10's but I'll see how the price and availability is. Also need the axleshafts and drums off a 6 lugger....proabably wont find everything, but anyway....the ony thing I am really worried about is being able to tell if the axle is in good shape. Obviously, I can open it up and see how the gears look, but what about the things like the pinion bearing and stuff like that? Is there any way to see if its shot? I plan on replacing the other bearings and seals, but I don't want to mess with taking the gears out, and setting them up agian, which is basically why I doing this. What do I need to do to make sure I don't get a POS rear end, and the work I have to do on it is minimal? Thanks

90K5

See my truck at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502</A>

 

[90K5]

i forgot to say, I'm not going to put a locker or LSD in for now, not enough money, and for the wheeling I do (not enough) I dont really need it. So i guess the spider gears should be in good shape...will I be able to tell the condition of thme just by looking? Anyone have pics of good ones vs. worn ones? thanks

90K5

See my truck at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502</A>

 

[mpascino]

hey I got a 14 bolt SF with 3.73 in good shape that I am looking to get rid of cheap.....It's in up state NY thou but it still might be worth it for ya. Let me know if you are interested, I could take the brakes off of it or what ever else you don't need to lighten the load.......
Mike

You call that dirty!?

 

[90K5]

I'll let ya know what I find tomorrow. I'm in Texas, so its kinda far away...but I'll see........

90K5

See my truck at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502</A>

 

[DMK]

If you don't do that much wheeling why waste your money. Your rearend will usally let you know long before it goes out.
Your 30 spline 10 bolt should hold up well with regular maint.
You may also be able to find 3/4 ton chevy pick up cheap and get the parts off that. Just some suggestions. Find a reputiable junkyard usally by talking to the guys there you will find out alot. A better yard will have the parts seperated and labeled and have mileage. Also I don't think the sf 14 bolt came out till the late 80's. On the new body style trucks.

 

[90K5]

I'm mostly doing the swap for 4.10 gears, I have 3.42's in it now, and don't like the idea of regearing a 10 bolt with 140K already on it.

90K5

See my truck at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502</A>

 

[6.2Blazer]

The 8-lug 14SF are very common on mid-80's 3/4 ton pickups, however the 6-lug version was not available until '88 on the newer style trucks and were the minority.....so good luck finding 6-lug shafts and drums. Another option to make the axle 6-lug is to find a reputable axle or driveline shop with the capability of re-drilling the axle shafts and drums to obtain the 6-lug pattern. I've talked with Moser Engineering in the past and they could do this relatively cheaply.

 

[90K5]

That was the plan if I didn't find the shafts and drums. i think someone said Moser redrills them for $50/ea, or a set......

90K5

See my truck at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumindex?u=1329584&a=9886502</A>

 

[newyorkin]

I want to do the same thing, go 14-bolt with 6-lug axles. Let me know how you make out with this, if you find the 6 lug axles or have to redrill the 8 lugs. I can't tell you what to look for though...

Ratch
**Hmmm. Land or Mall? Land or Mall? Let's see. Lotsa SUV's around here... Let's build a mall.**

 

[blazbrnc]

One way you can tell if a pinion or (on a SF) axle bearing is possibly bad is to look for leaks at the seals. Many times if a bearing is going bad it will cause the shaft to spin out of round. This causes the seals to leak. Don't get me wrong, not all leakers have bad bearings, but you should definately look for one without the signs of leaks if at all possible. As far as the ring gear, pinion gear, and spiders, look for metal particles in the oil. There should be witness marks were the gears mesh but shy away from excessive wear. If you can hook the edge of the wear with your fingernail, you are getting close to excessive.

 

[woody9]

in for what it's worth department..... going to 80 3/4 ton ff 14 myself shortly, and donor has 10 bolt front. Happy about larger brakes, don't like the 8 bolt conversion, and gave up finding 6 bold axles.... and found..
http://www.truckandrv.com which has 'factory take offs' on vehicles headed to become RVs of one sort or another. Can follow up when i get mine this weekend, but at least it's an entry point into the 8 bolt world....