redrilling a 9.5 14 bolt axles to 6 lug

[moturbopar]

Hi all I was wondering her if anyone has redrilled the bolt pattern on a 14bolt sf 8 lug to a fit a 6 lug? I can find 9.5 8 lugs all day long but no 6 lugs. Is the centering hub on the 3/4 ton axle bigger than the half ton, if so do you think this can be machined down? Anyways It would be nice if it could be done, since I wouldnt have to worry about changing around spring pearches and stuff.
Thanks

 

[jk3078]

Ya info on this would be great as I have been thinking about this also thanks.

 

[u2slow]

I think 4.175" is what you need to turn the center down to.

You'd need to open up the drum or disc you were planning to use also.

 

[midnitewarya]

It's gonna be a good amount of work. It's like converting the 10.5" FF to 6lugs. Your gonna heed to have it turned, and your gonna need the 6 lug drums.

I actually found a website that sell adapters, but I would just keep looking for the 6 lugs. I'm heading down to the J/K this weekend with neverendingproject, if we see some, we'll let you know. It shouldn't be too hard to work a plan form there.

http://www.amcham.com.tw/publication_topics_view.php?volume=34&vol_num=10&topics_id=579http://www.truckn-store.com/product_list.asp?id=1434

Al

 

[pauly383]

Machine shop should be able to help ya out so its done right , and fill in the holes too . They have probably done it before too , for car guys with cheap 9 inch ford to chevy stuff in rods and ponycars .

 

[dyeager535]

Last time I looked at new axleshafts, they weren't THAT expensive for what you were getting...

 

[big83chevy4x4]

Last time I looked at new axleshafts, they weren't THAT expensive for what you were getting...

last i looked, the chromoly 6 lug axle shafts for the 14bsf were like $100 each. i just wish they made them in 8 lug, id buy a set of them for my truck.

 

[dyeager535]

That's the price I remembered seeing as well. For brand new bearing surfaces and strong shafts, that certainly sounds like the way to go instead of spending time/effort/money on converting 8 lug ones.

The centering hub on the later 6 lug stuff is smaller than the stock wheels of our vintage, but that isn't a problem.

And if you really wanted to get clever, you could probably have a custom pair made with the right cetering hub, plus same spec lug studs as the front. The stock 14MM will work with our stock 6 lug wheels we have, but you need two different sockets to pull the wheels.

 

[moturbopar]

thanks for the replies. Do you know where you guys saw the axles at? I have looked all over the net and only found them for the later model pickups, and they are about an inch wider each.

 

[dyeager535]

I just quickly glanced at Moser and a couple others that were linked in an old 4wheeler mag article, $120 each (didn't see the 14SF at Moser listed moserengineering.com) but a pair of complete custom axles from what I saw was no higher than $400.

Hopefully others chime in with axleshaft suppliers with a bigger selection, or better online listing.

 

[moturbopar]

yea, I emailed a few axle manufactures, I am waiting to hear back from them.

 

[Blue85]

Yes, the 6-lug are all for later-models, but they still fit in the 8-lug housing. The extra width is nice, though. You still have to get brakes and the drums are really expensive. If you can get a whole 6-lug axle, it could be cheaper since new shafts and drums is close to $400. When I did it, I made disc brakes at the same time and it turned out cheaper than getting all of the drum brake parts I needed. (Of course, you should read some of the numerous threads about rear disc conversion, low pedal, spongy brakes, etc.)

Moser engineering in Indiana told me they could fill, redrill and machine the 8-lug shafts into 6-lug for like $50 a piece, put shipping is expensive. This process is still much easier than converting an 8-lug FF into 6-lug.