HO52 to 14 bolt

[c20pickup]

First time post here!! I have a 1970 chevy c20 2wd that is currently in frame off resto status haha started as a motor build. well in my search for parts for my h052 i come back with almost no parts, and the parts that are available are way over priced. currently the rearend is open, and im looking for a locker. Ive looked into converting to a 14 bolt, then i can have disk brakes, A locker, and have more parts and gear ratio availability. what is involved in swapping these rearends? im figuring i will need a driveshaft built, new brake lines, and relocate the sway bar mount. Any suggestions from anyone? there is the jefferson swap meet coming up this weekend and i will be on the search for a 14 bolt, what would i need to look for or avoid? this truck is also coil spring rear

[SS Tim]

Might want to look into just bolting in a Dana 60 from a big block coil spring truck. While a 14 can be adapted the panhard rod is more than just a stabilizer as it locates the rear left to right.
On the disc brakes, the kits I'm aware of use car calipers and a car rated mechanical park brake if at all. While these are useable in a pet truck they have no place in a loaded C20 IMHO.

[c20pickup]

would anything else need to be changed? this truck although is a c20 wont be pulling much of a load, maybe a small trailer here and there. on a dana 60 would the panhard bar bracket already be welded to the axle or would i have to weld mine on?

[SS Tim]

It was the stock axle with big blocks on coil spring trucks. So the saddles, panhard and shock mounts is all there. If you look through the power train charts it is listed as a dana 5500 axle. Now there were both coil and leaf versions as well. The coils only came in 3.54 IIRC. It will be a bolt on. Grab the full park brake cable set to just in case if you can. Driveshaft I am not sure about at this point.
Renew the drum brakes and call it done. If you need a posi they are out there or just drop in a lunchbox locker. Check out my power team thread linked down in my signature.

[GASoline71]

There are 3 different 14 bolts. The huge 11.5" ring Full and semi floaters, and then the 9.5" lighter duty 14 bolts that were in 1/2 ton trucks from the late 80's onward. They all had drum brakes as far as I know.

You would need to swap perches, and set up a panhard rod. Not to mention they will probably be wider than what you want. So you might have to shorten the tubes and get shorter axles as well. Lockers for 14 bolts of any kind are very pricey.

Gary

[c20pickup]

thanks for the help guys! hopefully i can find one at the swap meet

[airdale94]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=495913

Captainfab in the 60-66 section has the spring perches. The 73-87 14 bolts will move your rear wheels out about a 1 1/2" but if you do frontend swap they will be even as that moves your front wheels out also. Some of the later models are HD 11.5" ring gear, the early to late 70's full floater are the 10.5", and the semi-float are the 9.5". No reason to get the semi-float unless you don't like pulling hubs to get your drums off.
The 88-98s are about the same width as the H052. The 99? to 2006 are the same width I think as the 73-87 but are disc brake. You can get a adjustable panhard bar from Early Classic Ent, CP, and others.

[c20pickup]

front end swap not really an option at this point, ive replaced pretty much everything up there already with new parts and dont want to buy them again. does anyone know where i can find a detroit locker for the ho52 that wont cost me a million bucks? what would you guys do? 14 bolt or dana 60? the dana 60 sounds easier to swap but its a pretty narrowed search as to what i can buy

[SS Tim]

Keep your eyes open for a Dana 60 from a big block C20 pickup or C20 suburban. 70 down ft drum or 71 up ft disc should address and track differences. Need to check that myself. A NoSpin is going to be expensive. They pop up from time to time on the board and ebay. Krazy Ray is going to have a 4.57 NoSpin drop out listing later might want to check his current classifieds on that time line. Just remember your current axle is likely a 4.10 and a 3.54 D60 would be like O/D all the time. A 14 bolt is going to be research and work. In the end how much money and time do you want to spend.

[c20pickup]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Keep your eyes open for a Dana 60 from a big block C20 pickup or C20 suburban. 70 down ft drum or 71 up ft disc should address and track differences. Need to check that myself. A NoSpin is going to be expensive. They pop up from time to time on the board and ebay. Krazy Ray is going to have a 4.57 NoSpin drop out listing later might want to check his current classifieds on that time line. Just remember your current axle is likely a 4.10 and a 3.54 D60 would be like O/D all the time. A 14 bolt is going to be research and work. In the end how much money and time do you want to spend.

not sure about a 4.57 gear ratio, i have 4.10's right now (i think, whatever is in there is perfect, wouldnt wanna go higher or lower unless i absoleutely need to) and installed a 700r4 to get away from the high rpm freeway speeds of my old th350, would i be able to use my existing ring and pinion and use the locker from the 4.57 to make a 4.10 locker?

[SS Tim]

This is something to keep handy if you are looking at D60 axles.

[leddzepp]

I don't know about where you live, but here Dana 60's are plentiful on 67-72 trucks at the pick n pulls, might even get lucky and find one that has a posi.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I don't know about where you live, but here Dana 60's are plentiful on 67-72 trucks at the pick n pulls, might even get lucky and find one that has a posi.

That was what I was thinking Scott. Figured with a B.O.M. list and a wire brush he might just find a treasure for cheap that bolts right in.

C20pickup do you know how to find the B.O.M. number?

[c20pickup]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

That was what I was thinking Scott. Figured with a B.O.M. list and a wire brush he might just find a treasure for cheap that bolts right in.

C20pickup do you know how to find the B.O.M. number?

never heard of a BOM, where is it located?

[Bo Duke]

Originally Posted by c20pickup

Ive looked into converting to a 14 bolt, then i can have disk brakes, A locker,

The 14 bolt Detroit locker and disc brake swap kits work on the HO52's. The biggest thing you gain is more gear ratios.

[c20pickup]

Originally Posted by Bo Duke

The 14 bolt Detroit locker and disc brake swap kits work on the HO52's. The biggest thing you gain is more gear ratios.

the lockers and ring and pinion interchange??? i thought just the axle shafts out of a 14 bolt could be used

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by c20pickup

never heard of a BOM, where is it located?

B.O.M. Is the unique build ID number telling you pretty much everything. Check out the chart picture for detail and locations.

Originally Posted by c20pickup

not sure about a 4.57 gear ratio, i have 4.10's right now (i think, whatever is in there is perfect, wouldnt wanna go higher or lower unless i absoleutely need to) and installed a 700r4 to get away from the high rpm freeway speeds of my old th350, would i be able to use my existing ring and pinion and use the locker from the 4.57 to make a 4.10 locker?

A coil 4.10 Dana is going to be hard to find.
If you find another drop out like Ray's 4.57 the NoSpin can be transfered over without having to reset the gears like a Dana or a 14 bolt would require for several of the carrier locker options.

Originally Posted by Bo Duke

The 14 bolt Detroit locker and disc brake swap kits work on the HO52's. The biggest thing you gain is more gear ratios.

The detroit locker from a 14 bolt can be installed in a HO52 or HO72 but the side gear splines are different and require matching modified 14 bolt axles be used.

[c20pickup]

The detroit locker from a 14 bolt can be installed in a HO52 or HO72 but the side gear splines are different and require matching modified 14 bolt axles be used.[/QUOTE]

by modified you mean? ive heard of guys running 14 bolt axle shafts but they must be shortened, is this what you mean by modified? is there any other mods required to make a 14 bolt locker fit? will i need to use the 14 bolt r&P or can i use my eaton? if installing a 14 bolt locker requires little modifications that will be the route i go

[c20pickup]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

B.O.M. Is the unique build ID number telling you pretty much everything. Check out the chart picture for detail and locations.



A coil 4.10 Dana is going to be hard to find.
If you find another drop out like Ray's 4.57 the NoSpin can be transfered over without having to reset the gears like a Dana or a 14 bolt would require for several of the carrier locker options.



The detroit locker from a 14 bolt can be installed in a HO52 or HO72 but the side gear splines are different and require matching modified 14 bolt axles be used.

by modified you mean? ive heard of guys running 14 bolt axle shafts but they must be shortened, is this what you mean by modified? is there any other mods required to make a 14 bolt locker fit? will i need to use the 14 bolt r&P or can i use my eaton? if installing a 14 bolt locker requires little modifications that will be the route i go

[DeadheadNM]

My HO52 was recently rebuilt along with the drum brakes. Parts were not an issue and I had a locker added that I purchased from the parts board. I thought about an axle swap for my K20 and am glad I kept the HO52. I'd keep the H052 and post a WTB add on the parts board for a locker.

[c20pickup]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

My HO52 was recently rebuilt along with the drum brakes. Parts were not an issue and I had a locker added that I purchased from the parts board. I thought about an axle swap for my K20 and am glad I kept the HO52. I'd keep the H052 and post a WTB add on the parts board for a locker.

if you dont mind me asking what did the locker cost for the ho52?

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by c20pickup

if you dont mind me asking what did the locker cost for the ho52?

I've purchased two within the last 18 mos both were ~ $300 each w shipping.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

I'd keep the H052 and post a WTB add on the parts board for a locker.

^^^^^^^^

[my67c20]

Welcome from Oak Creek. Did the same thing last year. Couple of pictures for you. Mine had coils, but overall the same concept with the disks. Still need to work out the parking brake, but if you have an automatic then no worries. If you know anyone that needs an HO with 4:56 and drums got one laying around. If you ever find your way up here give me a shout. Interestingly enough i was able to use my original driveshaft.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by c20pickup

by modified you mean? ive heard of guys running 14 bolt axle shafts but they must be shortened, is this what you mean by modified? is there any other mods required to make a 14 bolt locker fit? will i need to use the 14 bolt r&P or can i use my eaton? if installing a 14 bolt locker requires little modifications that will be the route i go

Well yes cutting axles was the mod. I was refering to.
There is actually very little difference between a HO52/72 NoSpin and a 14 bolt Detriot Locker. They both replace the case internals only. Nothing else is interchangable as far as R&P related items. Don't think you are going to find enough of a price advantage to cover the axles.

Originally Posted by c20pickup

if you dont mind me asking what did the locker cost for the ho52?

The leftover new units I've seen were going for about $500. Used is a sellers market.

Originally Posted by my67c20

... Still need to work out the parking brake, but if you have an automatic then no worries...

Nice looking installation. But I cannot disagree more, automatics need a park brake. That "park" pawl is not a substitute in fact the heavy C30 don't have a park position at all. A good park brake is a must. How well do yours hold under a load?