Is this 14bff axle a posi??

[70rs/ss]

I have a 14bff rear that I am not sure if it is a posi (I think it is, but my comfort zone is with 1/2 ton posi's) so is it and if so what type (PLEASE DON'T SAY GOV LOCK!?) Any help is appreciated!!

[70rs/ss]

NOBODY KNOWS?! 15 looks and no answers?? HELP ME!?

[lowbuck72]

Look at the carrier to the right of the ring gear as its oriented in the pic you posted... if it only has three of those big holes that look like spider gear cross shaft holes then you have a factory posi carrier which is indeed a gov-loc or eaton locking diff.... my experience with those types is lots of small parts and break easy with big tires...... if your carrier has four of those holes in it then it is a factory open rearend unless someone has put a detroit in it......

[BlueJeep]

If it's a factory posi it is a Gov lock. I'm not sure you can tell by the outside of the carrier though, look through the holes in it and see if you can see anything besides spiders.

A gov lock is a very good locker though, my old truck had 300,000 miles on it and 285 tires and it worked perfect every time. It was a 14B semi-float. Guys that put big tires or big power on them (on a 10 bolt) and expect them to last like a Detroit are the ones who give it a bad name

[lowbuck72]

yeah the number of holes is how you tell them apart....3 for posi 4 for open... the factory posi carriers cant be used for anything but the gov-loc... thats why most people want an open carrier so they can put better lockers in them

[BlueJeep]

Good to know, I've built a ton of 14 bolts over the past 8 years and I've never run across a gov-lock one. I've built them all with either welded carriers or detroits. If I ever come across one with a gov-lock, I'll keep it for myself to use in a tow rig.

[70rs/ss]

OK I am guessing it has 3 due to the spacing (ie if it had 4 you'd see 2 in my pict {carrier split equally into quarters and in the pict I am showing almost half of the diff and I only see one??}, I think?) so it is maybe a gov loc which is sorta OK in a 3/4 ton rear?? The reason I ask is that I also has a Dana 60 rear that is a trac loc posi but has only 3.54's vs the 4.10's of the 14 bolt?! Too many choices!!

[BlueJeep]

The dana 60 rear would also only have 1.3" 30 spline shafts, as compared to the 14 bolts 1.5" 30 spline shafts. That is only relevant if shaft strength is an issue though.

[shortbed70]

The bigger gov locks are good but put under alot of twisting forces like rock crawling can make it slip.

[70rs/ss]

Well it might go in my Burb so no real crawling action for me. I want a good solid rig I can wheel if I want to and for the snow up here in N-AZ, sounds like either rear would work, so the 4.10's w/ a 700r4 and 35" tires would be better than the 3.54's and the front axle matches the 14bff in gear ratio. I can get it on the road if I stick w/the 14bff and the measly 10 bolt front end and that'll give me time to hunt down a Dana 60 front or at the very least a Dana 44 3/4 ton front axle.