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GM 10 bolt rear axle swap to 14 bolt

rivermobster

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I've been learning and thrashing with new suspension, ujoints, bearings, hubs, tie rods, crossover steering, shocks, brakes, steering box, and more on my K5 Blazer. Front is about done. Then the back suspension. Once completed, I'll test her out for a bit. Then, get her back in the garage and drop in a 6.0 LS

This is the first vehicle that I've ever fully rebuilt. Hot damn I FUCKING HATE suspension, brakes, AC, radiators, etc... makes me happy to keep working on the Top Alcohol Flat and my brothers 57' Schiada.

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Can you believe some of us actually Enjoy all that jazz?? We be twisted...

😁
 

evantwheeler

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Also some later k1500 or light k2500 had a 6-lug 14 bolt but it was the 9.5" ring and pinion. Also Tom's differentials at one time was making a kit to convert a 10.5" 14-bolt to 6-lug.
Those were semi float, but still way better than what he has.

Ruffstuff Specialties sell 14 bolt full float hubs for 6 lug applications.
 

MARCYTECH

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@counterpart7 i ran a semi float 9.5 14bolt in my 4 linked silverado... did it work? yes but it was always the weak link that was on my mind.
running a full foat 14 bolt will be strong in the axle and hub deptartment but youll still have axle tubes that want to pull out of your cast center section. my advice is skip the headache (and weight) and get your self a rear end from 9inchfloater.com
their rear ends and hubs are really unappreciated products at killer prices. a 40 spline set up will run you less than outfitting a 14 bolt and if you ever decide to link the truck you wont have to upgrade...again.
 

Croz

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So I ended up picking up a 14 bolt semi float for $150, it came out of a 2000 2500…came with disks, calipers, brake pads look new(I hope they fit in my current rims) not sure how long this will take to complete, but my plan is:

•Regear to 488 from the stock 373
•8 lug to 6 lug adapters
• Truss it for maximum buffness
• Yukon locker
Wish me luck convincing my wife these things are to promote “safer off-roading” lol
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4Waters

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So I ended up picking up a 14 bolt semi float for $150, it came out of a 2000 2500…came with disks, calipers, brake pads look new(I hope they fit in my current rims) not sure how long this will take to complete, but my plan is:

•Regear to 488 from the stock 373
•8 lug to 6 lug adapters
• Truss it for maximum buffness
• Yukon locker
Wish me luck convincing my wife these things are to promote “safer off-roading” lol View attachment 1179446 View attachment 1179447
Oh 100% safer😉
 

Backlash

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Sweet deal!! That's a good score. Private party or pulled from a yard???
 

Croz

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Sweet deal!! That's a good score. Private party or pulled from a yard???
Private party, he owned it since new and upgraded to the larger full float, this is the 9.5” semi float.
 

Backlash

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Right on!! I've been waiting to see how you solved this dilemma, and am happy to see you moving forward with this project. Please post up as many pics/updates as you can. I hope to be doing exactly what you're doing in the near future, so I'll be following along. 👍
 

hman442

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Could a guy just have the axle flanges redrilled to a 6 bolt pattern? That'd eliminate the spacers.
 

Croz

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Could a guy just have the axle flanges redrilled to a 6 bolt pattern? That'd eliminate the spacers.
I’m currently running 2” spacers, they’re necessary to be close to equal width as the front.
 

Backlash

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I’m currently running 2” spacers, they’re necessary to be close to equal width as the front.
Have you thought about taking the bare housing in to a place like Currie, and having longer axle tubes welded in? Then you could run a longer axle with the correct stud pattern. I know that would be more expensive than the wheel spacer program, but you could then set the width up exactly where you need it to be for that truck.
 

Croz

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So I cut the shock mounts, bump stop pads, and leaf perches off. Had a truss from artec and a diff cover from undercover fab in Alabama, had to love the full plug to the top and trim the truss to work with U bolts and bump pads. Rebuild of the axel going down next week. Will have this in before season…I hope
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H20 Toie

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I’m currently running 2” spacers, they’re necessary to be close to equal width as the front.
Stock the axles are not same width
Rear is narrow than front
 

Croz

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Stock the axles are not same width
Rear is narrow than front
Yes hence the 2” spacers. Will be running them with new axle as well. I have to. The front end is 92” wide. It looks silly with out spacers. I can’t afford a fully fabbed rear end, so spacers it is haha
 

v6toy4x

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I used these on a couple toyotas, i want to say you use K10 front rotors and either K10 or K20 calipers, not 100% on that been a few years.

The beauty of the 14 bolt and 9" is the pilot bearing on the end of the pinion, prevents it form walking out of the ring gear


Just a thought?
 

v6toy4x

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If you are considering a 9" these guys are a small family deal and get shit done, in house stuff, can run the 14 bolt spindles and the 14 bolt 6 lug hubs

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Croz

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If you are considering a 9" these guys are a small family deal and get shit done, in house stuff, can run the 14 bolt spindles and the 14 bolt 6 lug hubs

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woulda loved to go this route, but we’re talkin an easy 6 grand to get it under the truck for that. I’m gonna be about half. Which still sucks. My suggestion to anyone is to buy one used. I’m stoked on the process but F this snowball. Boats are so much easier
 

v6toy4x

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woulda loved to go this route, but we’re talkin an easy 6 grand to get it under the truck for that. I’m gonna be about half. Which still sucks. My suggestion to anyone is to buy one used. I’m stoked on the process but F this snowball. Boats are so much easier
100% the used 14 bolt route is the biggest bang for the buck.
It is, was, my preferred for rock crawlers, they are just limited somewhat on gear ration, I think 5:38 is about as low as you can go?
They can also benefit from a little shave on the ring gear and on the bottom of the housing.
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lbhsbz

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I don’t know the width you need, but look at a FJZ80 Land Cruiser rear axle…your wheels will bolt on, already has discs, and they’re pretty beefy.
 

v6toy4x

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A lot to be said about finishing what you start!! Looks great, dig the white and purple Kawi!
 

Backlash

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Damn the truck turned out great! I think of you everytime I look at my spare 14 bolt axle in the driveway! LMAO!! 🤣💪
 
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