Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I have an Eaton rear end with RJ H02002 stamped on the third member. What ever that means I not sure. I don't know much about Eaton. Since buying and building this truck I asked all the offroad shops and nobody knew what it was and had never seen it before. It wasn't until I showed Jeff at ECE that I found out what it was. He also told me that they are hard to find parts for and to get rid of it.
But lately I've been told that an Eaton is strong rear end and to keep it. I would like to get a different rear end with gears and a locker. I'm looking at a 3/4 Dana 60 or 3/4 14 Bolt. What should I do.... I need some input.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I'd keep the Eaton..They are tough as nails (Tougher than the 14 bolt)..A 14 bolt is cheap and easy to get parts for but I'd stay with the Eaton unless it breaks (Doubt it will) and is cheaper to replace with a 14 bolt with a good locker.I'd look for a No Spin for it and call it done.I *think* you can use 14 bolt axle shafts,and other stuff in them too,so if you are looking to get stronger custom axle shafts,etc you could get some for a 14 bolt (If you can't for the Eaton) and use them in the Eaton.Maybe I just dreamed it but thought I read that somewhere..You get more ground clearance with the Eaton too.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I'd keep it till it breaks, if that ever happens.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I vote to keep it because I also doubt that it will ever break. Then go with a good 14 bolt if you ever need to.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

14 bolt or Eaton are roughly equal in strength, I think either one of those would be good for you.

I would avoid a FF D60 rear simply because any aftermarket traction aide is going to be more costly, not to mention the other two axles are a bit beefier than the D60 (bigger pinion, ring gear, axle shafts, bearings).

I personally have an Eaton that is under my GMC, not original though. It has 5.13 gears and a factory No-Spin. My only problem with it was that it wasn't wide enough (65" wms) and I couldn't find any wider rear axles locally, so I have ordered a set of wheel spacers for the rear.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I think that most people "ASSUME" that one is weaker than the other and so on.... but really haven't ever broken one. Unless you're into hard core wheelin then I can't see many axles breaking at all....

If it works for you then I'd run it till it breaks, if it breaks... If your looking at a costly rebuild then something with more parts availability would be a wise choice.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

It is my understanding that 14 bolt axles and gear sets can be used in an Eaton but I have no text to back up that statement just what I've heard from others. I believe the reason they say the Eaton is stronger is because it's a solid cast diff, no axle tubes. You don't have to worry about the heat as much when welding brackets or spring perches versus a diff. with axle tubes.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I prefer the eaton, and with a bit of trimming you get 1/2 an inch more ground clearance than a 12 bolt:metal:

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

Does anyone actually have real data regarding the similarities between the Eaton and the 14-bolt??? I have a few of each and would like to know I could share certain things here and there........where would you guys look for good data?

A.........

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

You ain't using the eaton in that pull truck are ya'?

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

On the rear axle subject..There is a 72 Longhorn C30 in the junkyard (For those that don't know what a Longhorn is as a truck,it's a one ton pickup with a fleetside bed with an extra 6" on it) I assume it has the HO72.The one ton's had the 72 right?Eaton Ho52 vs HO72..is there any strength difference or any plus to using one or the other?

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I haven't used the eaton for pulling, but know a few guys that do......None of them are making over 500 HP yet, so no real strength data on the axle yet. The 14-bolt however, has been tested thousands of times up to 1000 HP!!!!

A.......

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

1000hp?? yea, ok, only with 33" 12.50's w/ 50psi that don't hook up.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

The best I can figure is the difference between the two is that the ho72 has a limmiting bushing that is adjustable and sits on the smooth side of the ring gear opposite the pinion to stop the ring gear from deflecting away from the pinion.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I know that the spiders or lockers interchange between the two. You just have to use the coresponding axles.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

Hey Hill billy,

Here's a great pulling site that I frequent daily.....Mostly furd guys but all are very cool.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/228279/

A........

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

Thanks, Diesel

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

My HO52 has that adjustable ring gear deflection rub shoe. Verified by the GM service manual and a flash light! I was suprised when I saw it. Maybe Its not an HO52 but an HO72, all I know is that it was in the K20 when I bought it. LOL

Frank

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

The difference is in the wheel bearings and brakes with the HO52 and HO72.The Corporate* rear has a lesser spline count.A 14-bolt carrier can be used with 14-bolt axles.The axles need about 3/4" (I think) cut off.
I have great service out of the original axles in my trucks,both Corporate and Dana.

*People mistakenly refer to these as Eatons.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

My buddy runs an Eaton in his Toyota Landcruiser. He has broken hubs, stub shafts, and u-joints in his front Dana 60, but has never broken anything in the Eaton. He is running 5.13 gears with Detroit lockers in both along with 44 inch tires.


On another note, you also get more ground clearance with the Eaton than a Dana 60 or a 14 bolt. Personally i would use it till it breaks. Here is a small video of him going through a mud hole.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=19856624

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I got all the brake parts I needed at Napa.You can put 14-bolt disc brake set-ups on them.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

ok so i found a shop in utah that rebuilds 14 Bolts. He will build me one with a detroit locker and 4.56 gears for about $850. I think thats what I am going to do.

Thank you for all your input!!

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

so you can put 14bolt disks on the rear ho 72 or ho52s

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

Yes

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

do they just bolt up or do you have to have special stuff

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

Pretty much just a bolt on.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

they just bolt on i took aset from my 14blt and used them on my eaton.
you eaton probly allready has 4:56 gear you can use a locker from a 14blt and save some money. I think I have a 3rd on the shelf here already set up Ill look for you.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

That's expensive.

Hell, find a 14B out of a CUCV if that's what you want to do. Should be less than 500. Last one I bought was 250.00 and it had less than 20K miles on it. Most have Detroits and 4.56's.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I did not know any of this...this is interesting....so let me get thie straight....if the R & P 3rd member in my Eaton dies, a GM 14 bolt will "bolt" right in? That seems almost too "simple" a fix.
Does anyone have any before (all eaton) & after (14 bolt installed) pics?

Thanks!

Frank

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

Yes, for the most part.

A 1 Ton 14B has the same spring pad spacing as our 67-72 Chevy trucks. In my C to K conversion, I use a 1Ton Dually 14B in place of the Eaton that was in there. It's a bolt in. Granted, I don't know about the drive shaft length, because I am having one built for this particular and peculiar truck...

Some of the other talk is about taking the side gears and axle shafts from a 14B and added them to an Eaton.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

A 1 Ton 14B has the same spring pad spacing as our 67-72 Chevy trucks. In my C to K conversion, I use a 1Ton Dually 14B in place of the Eaton that was in there. It's a bolt in. Granted, I don't know about the drive shaft length, because I am having one built for this particular and peculiar truck...

I see, that clarifies that

Some of the other talk is about taking the side gears and axle shafts from a 14B and added them to an Eaton.
Thats what I'm really curious about, swapping the guts


Frank

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

yea could i take the guts out of a 14b abd just bolt it in i think mine has 513s it it its fin low i got the motor at about 5k to get to 55 i know its a lil of topic what disks could i use for my d44 front

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I think only the locker and axles will work you still have to use gears and a carrier from the eaton. I think I have a frew threads saved some were on this Ill try to find them.
Is your d44 drum break? If so cheapest thing to do is replace the hole front end out of a newer truck.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

I am interested in this as well. I'm gonna need to do some work on mine soon, but I was convinced I would have to swap in a 14B. I'm about to do a search on Eatons, but I am assuming ya'll are talking about a BIG 10 bolt rear end that comes apart in the front like a 9inch ford...wich is what I have.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

The eaton is "a big 10 bolt with a 'ford like' center section" I was unaware that you could swap any parts from the 14b into the eaton.....I would imagine it would be somewhat limited to carriers and shortened shafts.

That being said, and getting back to the original question, I would say hunt around for a no-spin eaton third with 4.56 gears already on it. I bought mine (4.10 gears) for $200, it is a relatively simple swap....
-Pull the axles out
-remove the drive shaft
-Drain Diff.
-Unbolt third member (this is definately the hardest part....getting the 120lb sucker in and out while laying on your back under the truck)
-(as chiltons says) reverse steps to install.

The only parts I couldn't find was the gaskets for the axles, but I made some out of felt......with some hunting and shipping ($80 from WA to MI through DHL for me) you can have a locked, loaded, and bullet proof eaton rear. for half the price of a rebuild on your 14b (just my 2/100 of a dollar)

Mine will have disc. brakes when the time to replace the drums come due!

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

Randy's sells every thing you need to rebuild it as far as seals and barings go. I thought I had a thread saved on this but I cant finf it. to do the 14blt hybrid axle you need the axles spider gears and a detriot for a 14blt ff axle use the spider gears and locker in the eaton carrier. then replace the eaton axles with the 14blt axles. for the disk breaks when I didn my 72 I used an adaptor for a 14blt with no mods needed so say you have to shave some off the spacer but i didnt have this trouble. I used a bent style disk break convertion and had no problems. I have never had to do the hybrid Ive broke a eaton axle and all of my eatons have the factory lockers. I try to keep one or 2 around just in case I need one but havent needed one yet.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

one last thing with the disk swap if you are using an older eaton pre 69 you will have to drill the hubs out and go to a larger lug stud other wize the rotor will be loose on the studs. I tihnk 69 and up had the same size wheel studs as the 14blt axles and will match the rotors. try to use a rotor from the same year front end as your eaton. for the guys with the drum break fronts you will need to drill yours out and go to bigger studs.
I have herd of guys using the 14blt hubs but it taks some extra work to do.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

Just found this...
http://www.coloradok5.com/forums/sho...ybrid&t=144838

Anyone know this guy? He posted a pic...but will not come up.
JIMs70K25
New DD
http://www.coloradok5.com/forums/ima...=4038&dateline
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 522

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

dont no him but the eaton with the mog convertion is crazy.

Re: Eaton vs. 14 Bolt vs. Dana 60
 

earl87GTA, you are correct about the studs, but IIRC, 1970 was the last year of the small studs, I think (?????) the studs went from 1/2" to 9/16"