Pros and cons of the 14 Bolt FF and the 14 Bolt SF?

[Marshall]

I was just wondering what the advantages and disadvantages of the 14 Bolt Semi-Float and the Full-Float?Thanks for any help provided.

<FORM METHOD=POST ACTION="http://coloradok5.com/forums/dopoll.php"><INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME="pollname" VALUE="1040445330Marshall">


Which do you think is better the 14 Bolt SF or the 14 bolt FF
<input type="radio" name="option" value="1" />Semi-Float
<input type="radio" name="option" value="2" />Full-Float
<input type="radio" name="option" value="3" />Niether
<INPUT TYPE=Submit NAME=Submit VALUE="Submit vote" class="buttons"></form>

/forums/images/graemlins/k5.gifThanks,Marshall

350/208/10Bolt/3.73Gov-lock/31's

 

[Z3PR]

14 Bolt Full floating is the strongest !!!!!! Only cons I can think of is ya have to get 8 lug wheels. Oh well, no biggie.

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

Nope, you can stay with 6 lug wheels with the FF.

 

[Z3PR]

Conversion, or adapter.

 

[Shaggy]

<font color="green"> Hmmm... I just have to say that that poll is ridiculous.

It all depends on what you are looking for. Essentially, the only reason to go with the SF is if you MUST have a 6 lug pattern and do not have the resources to convert the FF to it. </font color>

 

[Langosta39]

anyone ever broken a 14B-FF?

I've never seen it, but maybe I don't get out much : )
Gotta love $300 detroit lockers and the fact that Chevy has used them in there heaviest duty trucks for just about ever.

Andy

 

[thatK30guy]

I agree with Shaggy, that this thread is a little ridiculous. /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

Anybody knows the answer to this question. Approximately 75%, give or take, have the 14FF for a rear axle. Just about every profile you read of anybody here will list a 14FF under their rig.

The other % of those who do not have the 14FF either:
1. Are happy with their 10 or 12 bolt.
2. Just bought 15" rims and tires and do not want to change the 6 lug pattern.
3. Don't have the cash for the 3/4, or even 1 ton, upgrades.
4. Just don't want to be as "cool" as the 8 lug crew. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

TONYP is doing this right now and he gave me the lowdown on how to do it. Takes some machine work, but if someone wants to go with the strenght of the FF, and keep the 15" 6 lugs, it's possible.

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
anyone ever broken a 14B-FF?

[/ QUOTE ] Yep. It was on a race truck that was running those extra wide Dick Cepek Fun Countrys on the back during a short course race, I believe they were 35". Don't know what happened, just that he landed, and it wasn't a hard or tough course, there was that lovely sound of metal parts in the diff and he had to get towed back to the pits.

 

[Nikk]

Ya, the FF is a bit stronger than the SF, if you break an axle on the FF you can keep limping home. A SF is a C-clip axle and a broken axle would leave you stranded. I have a SF on my truck(85 K20), I use it mostly on the pavement,some minor offroading and I haul some pretty good size loads. I wouldnt mind getting a FF just to say I had one but for my reasons it is not something thats needed. If you dont already know, the SF is also 8 lug for those who still want to be in the cool 8 lug club(THATK30GUY)/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ears.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

 

[Shaggy]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
If you dont already know, the SF is also 8 lug

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="green"> It can be, but the SF is also available in 6 lug versions, and that was the point. If someone wants to upgrade the axle but retain the 6 lug without custom work, the SF is the way to go. </font color>

 

[Nikk]

I've never seen a 14 bolt SF with 6 lugs. Then again I'm realy not up on the newer trucks, is this where that aplication comes in? If this is true sorry for my above post but once again I've never seen a 6 lug 14 bolt SF. Please let me know so I can keep that in mind for further responces. Thanks

 

[thatK30guy]

Yep, the newer ('88 on up) trucks, especially more Z-71's have them if they are the 1/2 versions.

The early 454SS trucks came with them, but those were 5 lugs. /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif

So there you have it, the 14SF is available in 5, 6 and 8 lug. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[Nikk]

Thanks for the correction /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[imiceman44]

Well I haven't seen a broken 14BFF but I have seen one with a very nice smiley /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
He had it under a heavy K5 double frame, and a healthy 454 running 44" boggers.

 

[Langosta39]

smilie as in bent?

a

 

[Marshall]

I am sorry for the really stupid post...im kinda new at this stuff, but thanks for all of the help that you guys have provided.

Thanks,Marshall

350/208/3.73 Gov-lock/31's

 

[m j]

how does that go?
the only stupid question is the one that remains unasked.
we have all been there and none of us is perfect(case in point Shaggy called a 14sf an 'upgrade') /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Z3PR]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
how does that go?
the only stupid question is the one that remains unasked.
we have all been there and none of us is perfect(case in point Shaggy called a 14sf a'upgrade') n

[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif sf a'upgrade' I thought it was better then a 10 or 12

 

[Shaggy]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
case in point Shaggy called a 14sf an 'upgrade'

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="green"> So it's not an upgrade from a 10 bolt?

It wasn't a stupid question, just a ridiculous poll. Like asking if tennis shoes or work boots are better - it just depends on your needs.</font color>