Some of the IFS trucks (88-98) had 6-lug SF 14-bolts
They were found in 6-lug early 2500's and higher GVW 1/2 tons
They were found in 6-lug early 2500's and higher GVW 1/2 tons
CK5
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Should I go 14 bolt?
- Thread starter Micah72
- Start date
It's not really. What is it concerning you, the amount hanging down or weight?
Little of both I'm trying to keep it light but as always we don't want to get hung up and with 35s I could I'm trying to find a happy medium
You know 40" is the new 35"
You lose about and inch in ground clearance. Probably about 75-100 pounds heavier on a drum brake model
Given what you've already done with the 12b, are you willing to start over with another axle, or break it first?
Given what you've already done with the 12b, are you willing to start over with another axle, or break it first?
I likes your old avatar better. Keep thinking you're one of the MI guys...
Well I changed it because momma asked me too , had to change it sometime .
I grew up in MN , pretty close to the UP . Especially by boat
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
The shaved 14ff isn't that bad I only shaved the extra ring at the bottom of mine so it could slide over rocks instead of getting caught on it. I didn't want to give up the extra bolt unless I got the kit with a tougher cover. After my third 12 bolt was on its way out I decided I had enough of that axle. If you go disk brakes you get a lot of unsprung weight off the axle as well. 14sf is a good middle of the road axle and should hold up fine if you decide that way. I believe I read it was 20 percent stronger than a half ton axle. It's always a choice. And after getting stuck out a couple times with a broken 12 bolt it gets old real fast.
Barnes4wd makes a sweet 13 bolt cover to trim good bit off.
I shaved mine more then most.
Think skunk runs one.
I shaved mine more then most.
Think skunk runs one.
DA: light trail use, 14 sf sounds good to me.
Big block, locker, rocks sure, FF.
You want 8 lugs and convert the front?
Relocating spring perches and shock mounts could be a factor depending on abilities and cost.
Could even go CV shaft at this point if installing new perches.
Big block, locker, rocks sure, FF.
You want 8 lugs and convert the front?
Relocating spring perches and shock mounts could be a factor depending on abilities and cost.
Could even go CV shaft at this point if installing new perches.
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I've seen two 14 bolt SF axles that hogged out the diff case where the side gears ride recently...
A friend has a '85 K20 and the rear axle started "clunking" around corners or while driving around a traffic rotary,and you could hear a random clunk once in a while..he replaced the u-joints with no improvement,then pulled the diff cover off and found the case was egged out where the axle side gear rides,just like many 10 bolts did..
The salvage yard rear axle he bought to replace it with unfortunately has the exact same issue...this is the first time I've seen a 14 bolt have this problem (or any other,really)...so I guess they are not as bullet proof as they say they are..to be fair,his truck does get used to carry weight often,it has a fleetside bed that has the floor raised and a dump mechanism,and he loads it up pretty good at times,but not grossly overloaded either..truck has over 100,000 on it too..
Now he's having a hard time finding another 3.42 ratio SF or FF to put in his truck..the supply here is pretty sparse thanks to yards crushing all the square bodies..and the 3:42's were not that common,4:10's seem to be the most popular ratio..
A friend has a '85 K20 and the rear axle started "clunking" around corners or while driving around a traffic rotary,and you could hear a random clunk once in a while..he replaced the u-joints with no improvement,then pulled the diff cover off and found the case was egged out where the axle side gear rides,just like many 10 bolts did..
The salvage yard rear axle he bought to replace it with unfortunately has the exact same issue...this is the first time I've seen a 14 bolt have this problem (or any other,really)...so I guess they are not as bullet proof as they say they are..to be fair,his truck does get used to carry weight often,it has a fleetside bed that has the floor raised and a dump mechanism,and he loads it up pretty good at times,but not grossly overloaded either..truck has over 100,000 on it too..
Now he's having a hard time finding another 3.42 ratio SF or FF to put in his truck..the supply here is pretty sparse thanks to yards crushing all the square bodies..and the 3:42's were not that common,4:10's seem to be the most popular ratio..
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
3.73,4.10,4.56 were very common in 3/4 and 1 ton. Probably not a lot of higher gears than that out there. Good luck 3.08 or 3.42 are like unicorns. Lol. Probably more common on the newer trucks though.
I went from a 10-bolt to a 14FF using the same 35" tires years ago. The 14FF had a mild shave, which means just ground the lip down flush and bottom was ground down as far as possible while still keeping room for the bottom diff cover bolt. At that time I was going wheelin' at least once a month and to be honest didn't really notice a difference going from the 10-bolt to 14FF in regards to performance........ground clearance, overall power, acceleration, etc.... (kept the same gear ratio also). The one big difference was the piece of mind of not worrying about grenading the rear axle and becoming stranded on the trail.
For ground clearance on the 9.5" 14 SF I'm not really sure. Considering the ring gear on a 10-bolt is 8.5" and 9.5" on the 14SF I would guess you lose at least an inch of clearance, and probably a little bit more because would expect the housing is a little beefier. I think it is a good compromise and much strong than either a 10 or 12 bolt, but nearly as tough as a 14FF. I've seen 14SF's fail several times and when they do the truck is usually completely disable. Same issues as a 10 or 12 bolt.......if you break an axle shaft you are done, and often if the carrier breaks it will either chuck a shaft or lock up and you are also done. If you do happen to break a 14FF in most cases you can safely drive it out in front wheel drive....break a shaft or bust the carrier just pull the shafts out and let it roll on the full floating hubs.
For ground clearance on the 9.5" 14 SF I'm not really sure. Considering the ring gear on a 10-bolt is 8.5" and 9.5" on the 14SF I would guess you lose at least an inch of clearance, and probably a little bit more because would expect the housing is a little beefier. I think it is a good compromise and much strong than either a 10 or 12 bolt, but nearly as tough as a 14FF. I've seen 14SF's fail several times and when they do the truck is usually completely disable. Same issues as a 10 or 12 bolt.......if you break an axle shaft you are done, and often if the carrier breaks it will either chuck a shaft or lock up and you are also done. If you do happen to break a 14FF in most cases you can safely drive it out in front wheel drive....break a shaft or bust the carrier just pull the shafts out and let it roll on the full floating hubs.
