8-Lug Rear End conversion to 6-Lug Possible?

['68OrangeSunshine]

I understand GI surplus GM 14 Bolt rear ends are affordable.
I'm rebuilding a 1/2 ton '67 K/10 Suburban that's got a shot rear end. Is an axle swap with a 14 Bolt Free Floater in place of my 12-Bolt 3.73 Posi do-able?
I want 6-Lug axles because I have a lot of 6-Lug wheels and tires. Front end is 6-Lug as well.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I have never seen a 6 bolt 14 bolt full floater. You can get a 14 bolt semi floater in 6 bolt. Which is a very strong rear end for most peoples needs.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

I have never seen a 6 bolt 14 bolt full floater. You can get a 14 bolt semi floater in 6 bolt. Which is a very strong rear end for most peoples needs.

OK. I just said 'Full Floater' because that's what I've heard 3/4 ton axles are called. While I 've been driving half ton Chevys for 53 years, I know very little about the heavier equipment.
Assuming I can get hold of a 3/4 ton axle, what is the kind I can convert to six lug configuration?

[Richard]

I would guess you could use adapters which would widen axle. Custom fabrication is another option. Do not know of anything else, semi or full float. Suggest looking for a 6 lug hd axle to swap instead.
A search turned up this old post https://www.gmt400.com/threads/obs-r...e-width.18256/ maybe another way?

.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I bought a set of 6-Lug/6-Lug 2'' wheel adapters when I tried to run GMT-800 16'' rims [and 235/75/R16LT tires] on a '71 GMC. I liked the new tires I bought, and my speedo read right [for a change] but a weird road noise got me to take them off and put the old 33x12.50x15 meats back on. Although the tire shop had done a half-a$$ job of mounting, the noise was the front prop shaft beating itself to pieces.
In short, I don't like wheel spacers/adapters.
If I could get custom axles for a 3/4 ton diff with 6 lugs made, that would be best.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

OK. I just said 'Full Floater' because that's what I've heard 3/4 ton axles are called. While I 've been driving half ton Chevys for 53 years, I know very little about the heavier equipment.
Assuming I can get hold of a 3/4 ton axle, what is the kind I can convert to six lug configuration?

https://www.boyceequipment.com/singl...liqrGq1prMteBr

[litebulblsc]

GM made several different 14 bolts.

The one that came in both 6 and 8 lug, is the 9.5" ring gear.

The common surplus axle is the 10.5" full flaoter. The axle shaft does not have the wheel flange on it. It uses a larger rear hub, that I do not believe the smaller bolt circle of the 6 lug would fit on

Their are newer 14 bolt full floaters, thay have a larger then 10.5" ring gear. But have the same issue of no 6 lug.

Been a while since I saw one, but I believe it is referred to as a 14 bolt Axn, is a 6 lug 14 bolt axle to avoid. It is the 9.5" center with 10 bolt axle tubes and necked down axle shafts

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

https://www.boyceequipment.com/singl...liqrGq1prMteBr

Thanks, I shot an email to Boyce.

[EDIT]: Boyce got back to me fast. They said they could rebuild a 14 Bolt Semi Floater w/3.73 and TrueTrac Posi for $ 4585.00 [+275 S&H].
I thanked them for their time.

I think that ends this line of inquiry.
Thanks for your comments and expertise.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by litebulblsc

GM made several different 14 bolts.

The one that came in both 6 and 8 lug, is the 9.5" ring gear.

The common surplus axle is the 10.5" full flaoter. The axle shaft does not have the wheel flange on it. It uses a larger rear hub, that I do not believe the smaller bolt circle of the 6 lug would fit on

Their are newer 14 bolt full floaters, thay have a larger then 10.5" ring gear. But have the same issue of no 6 lug.

Been a while since I saw one, but I believe it is referred to as a 14 bolt Axn, is a 6 lug 14 bolt axle to avoid. It is the 9.5" center with 10 bolt axle tubes and necked down axle shafts

Then again, it might be easier to rebuild the 1971 Eaton Posi 12-Bolt, 3.73 that came on the '71 Jimmy. Then reinstall it on the Jimmy, after pulling the 1967 rebuilt [c.1995] 12-Bolt 3.73 w/Auburn Posi, and restore that to the '67 K/10 Suburban.
Right now, the '71 Diff is under the '67 Sub. One side is bolted, other side is on with baling wire. Wouldn't fit. Not moved for years.

So a 14 Bolt AXN [w/6-Lugs] is to be avoided? Why?

[litebulblsc]

If you are looking for a strength upgrade, the main reason to switch to a 14 bolt, that is by far the weakest variant. It may be the least common also.

[b454rat]

You can turn the hubs down and redrill to 6 lug on a 14ff, but doesn't make alot of sense. I've only seen one, but haven't looked too hard either, but I found a Dana 60 6 lug disc brake axle in a mid 2000s GM van. I don't know what it was, 2wd, 4wd, all wheel, just kinda surprised me when i found it. If I had the money i was gonna snag it, but no yard guy ATT, and no easy way to get it out.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by b454rat

You can turn the hubs down and redrill to 6 lug on a 14ff, but doesn't make alot of sense. I've only seen one, but haven't looked too hard either, but I found a Dana 60 6 lug disc brake axle in a mid 2000s GM van. I don't know what it was, 2wd, 4wd, all wheel, just kinda surprised me when i found it. If I had the money i was gonna snag it, but no yard guy ATT, and no easy way to get it out.

Aside from fixing the Diff on my '67 K/10 Suburban, I have a Fleetside 8' trailer that has 8 lug axles. Since I don't want to hunt down and pay a premium for more 16.5 tires, it would be nice to have 6 lug axles. No need for working differential. You can see thru it from the open back with no pan to the open hole where the universal would go. I have a lot of 6 lug rims.