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Which is the strongest 6 Lug Semi Floater Diff?

Metal Twister

Metal Twister

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I need to stay with a 6 lug Semi Floater to replace the burbs rear 10 bolt diff. I know that in the late 90's the heavy duty 1/2 tons and some 3/4 ton trucks had a 14 bolt 6 lug SF diffs. Is there anything stronger in a 6 lug SF that could handle 38's with out issue? Normally Id go 8 lug but for this vehicle right now that would mean new axles and wheels all the way around and that just isnt in the budget at the present time. But a day at the pic your parts half price day sale should get me going at an affordable price. Ideas on good or bad? Which model trucks to look for? Bad or good ones to look for or stay away from?
 
I dont think anything is different between the 6 and 8 lug sf as fas as strength. The 8 lug ones will bolt in from an older model truck. The 6 lug ones just need the speing perches moved over. I wanna say look for a 91+ newer body style 6 lug. I bought an 8 lug one but it takes some work to swap to 6. There are some threads on it here though.
 
Deuling said:
I dont think anything is different between the 6 and 8 lug sf as fas as strength. The 8 lug ones will bolt in from an older model truck. The 6 lug ones just need the speing perches moved over. I wanna say look for a 91+ newer body style 6 lug. I bought an 8 lug one but it takes some work to swap to 6. There are some threads on it here though.
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So if I got a 6 lug 14 bolt sf when I changed things later to 8 lug I could just swap axles to 8's?
 
If you can swap one way im sure you can the other. Look up some 14sf threads here. Hell buy an 8 swap to 6, then you have everything to swap back
 
There are two versions of the 6 lug SF and the difference being the width. The more common one came mainly on the 4x4 trucks and would line up more roughly with your current 10 bolt front end. If you want to find one that is similar to the current width you have now....find a 2wd 14SF.

The more narrow one is about 64" WMS to WMS (wheel mounting surface)
The more wide one is about 67" WMS to WMS

I picked up a 2wd one because I wanted to match the track width of my stock truck better. Just personal preference.

I don't know the difference but in 97' they changed something.

So you are basically looking for a 6 lug, 14 bolt SF from the newer body style 88' to 96' trucks. You will need to re-locate the spring perches as Deuling said.......
 
Keep in mind of the lug stud thicknesses, too.

3/4 ton, or true 8 lug, will have 9/16" studs but the heavy half, or 6 lug, will have either 1/2" or metric. I've never seen one of these rears with 7/16" studs like the common 10 and 12 bolt rears.
 
thatK30guy said:
Keep in mind of the lug stud thicknesses, too.

3/4 ton, or true 8 lug, will have 9/16" studs but the heavy half, or 6 lug, will have either 1/2" or metric. I've never seen one of these rears with 7/16" studs like the common 10 and 12 bolt rears.
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Thanks guys for the info. and being willing to share you knowledge. This fine tunes the search very well. Just curious... is there a stronger SF axle Diff that comes in a regular vehicle?
 
Idk if a ford 9" can be swapped to chevy 6 lug, nor do i know if they are semi or full float, but ive heard they are really strong axles, and you can take the whole pig right out and swap gears on your bench, to me that would be the tits!
 
Deuling said:
Idk if a ford 9" can be swapped to chevy 6 lug, nor do i know if they are semi or full float, but ive heard they are really strong axles, and you can take the whole pig right out and swap gears on your bench, to me that would be the tits!
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Strong if you throw money into them.


How about 6lug hubs on a 14bff lol.
 
Metal Twister said:
Thanks guys for the info. and being willing to share you knowledge. This fine tunes the search very well. Just curious... is there a stronger SF axle Diff that comes in a regular vehicle?
Click to expand...

No. And for 38s you are pushing or surpassed the limits of even the 14bsf (depending on your use).
 
Toyota fj60 6 lug full floater :thumb:

late model isuzu 12bolt is a 9.5in beefy semi floater with discs and drum in hat.

The isuzu option is pretty damn cheap.
 
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